Let’s take the “switchback"

This weekend we took our longest hike. 9.7 miles in the North Carolina Mountains. We hiked from Bass Lake, outside of Blowing Rock NC., to the “Fire Tower”. It was an amazing hike. We saw Mountain laurel, high meadows with free flowing blowing high grass, like waves on the ocean. It was mesmerizing. 

Bass Like 

There were many, many horses on the trail, with us. Gorgeous Palomino horses, among other types, having the time of their life. And just to make it that much more magical, their were people flying kites. We were now about 4+ miles into the hike and Vic and I were “high” on the hike, and loving it.

Hiking takes more head than heel. —EMMA ‘GRANDMA’ GATEWOOD, at age 67 first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (1955), 1887–1973.

Our path, off the Blue Ridge Parkway

We have not had a nice Spring in North Carolina, this year. It has been cold and wet. This bad weather has lingered into late May. But yesterday was one of those extraordinary days. The day was sunny, a slight wind, and low humidity. The Gods were shining upon us.

When we reached the top, you could see for miles, and miles. Based on our location you could see Grandfather Mountain, Boone and probably the edge of Tennessee. Another couple were also resting at the top. They were enjoying an afternoon glass of wine.

Vic and I had are usual snack, nuts, fruit and some chocolate. On the way down, our dog Nestle, found the “switchbacks”. Vic was hesitant to take them but we followed the dog and cut off  some distance. We invested in a Camel back water system for backpacks. It is a bladder filed with water that is inserted into the backpack. There is a tube that comes out of the pack that you drink from. Great invention!

We met with our local Camino group before our trip. One gentleman, Kevin, had just returned from his pilgrimage. He completed the entire trip in an astounding 25 days! Let me remind you that the entire Camino is over 800 km long. That is amazing! 

He gave us a few more pearls of wisdom. He told us what many already have, pack LIGHT! I am beginning to get the drift about packing light. He used his phone and did not take an Ipad or similar device. He told us about the daily evening service at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Following the pilgrims prayer, there is a private tour of the relics of St James. I am so looking forward to the Mass at the Cathedral. 

The musical and visual highlight of the Mass is the synchronisation of the beautiful "Hymn to Santiago" with the spectacular swinging of the huge Botafumeiro, the famous thurible kept in the cathedral. Incense is burned in this swinging metal container, or "incensory".

Just above Mose Cone house on the Blue Ridge Parkway

As we continue to prepare for our Buen Camino, we are anticipating a spiritual adventure.

I love an adventure

The first real trip I remember, as a child, is a train trip from Philadelphia to Mobile Alabama. This trip was to see my Mothers cousin induction as a Arch Bishop(Archbishop Thomas Joseph Toolen, D.D). It was a very long train ride and I do not remember very much. But,I do remember that I got some new toys to play with along the trip, and when we returned to Philadelphia I left them on the train. I was so excited to see my Dad that I ran off the train without them.

I am the youngest of 7 children. My oldest sister is 16 years older. For the time, my Mom was quite old to be having children. Not at all unusual in todays culture. As a result, as I was going up, my parents were starting retirement and they wanted to start traveling. Our first trip was a short cruise to Bermuda.  This next trip was GREAT. We went on a Russian cruise ship to Leningrad (now St Petersburg), via Ireland, England, France and Germany. It was exciting and an unbelievable adventure for a 17 year old. I was walking around a communist country without my parents!! I got a first hand experience with history and it was thrilling.

After that trip I had the traveln' bug. The problem was that I was 17, still had college to attend, a job to find and a life to live.

Over the last 39 years I have been fortunate enough to travel the world. Most of my travels have been to eastern Europe and 1 trip to Eastern Africa. Many of the trips were extraordinary and most were just a nice vacation. Some silly, some scary but all are now a part of me. 

I will share just a few items , that I can remember….
Walking to the B&B on the Aran Island {Ireland},in the rain, that was “just around the bend”, which turned out to be close to a mile away. My niece and nephew were about 12 and nearly in tears, lugging their luggage down the lane, to the house. 
Missing a flight in France on the day that my Visa expired. That was the day that I learned that Immigration Control DOES speak more than 1 language when you get really mad at them.
Going from one end (John O’ Groats) to the other (the cliff of Dover) of England. 
Going Under the English Channel in a train. 
Getting off a train too soon in southern France, only to find out that it was going to cost me over $200 by cab to get to my destination. That one was just my stupidity, because it didn’t look that far on the map! I didn’t calculate the Alps.  Stupid!
Being stuck on the train entrance (steps) for 3 hours and being thankful to have a seat. That was because of a Italian train strike. 
Seeing hookers advertising in a window, in Amsterdam, with my 60 something Dad (awkward!).
Being married in Florence to my wonderful husband.
Having a policeman get in our car, in Africa, and insist that we go “down to the station”. Just going to say….. I was never going to the station, with anyone!!!.

These are just a few of the items in my collective memory, that I treasure. I look forward to adding to this collection of memories and adventures.

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on

my list." --Susan Sontag

When I travel I always try to find some history, eat local food, seek cultural experiences and this time I hope to find some spiritual inspiration .

My next adventure will be different though. I will still seek history, embrace the culture, eat amazing local food but more importantly I will walk day in and day out with a mind that will be open to the physical and spiritual renewal.

The eyes of all look to you,    and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand    and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 
Psalm 145:15, 16. 

I heard it on the trail….

We have been on lots of great hikes, in the last 5 months. We have increased our stamina, muscles and strength.  Some outstanding ones have been; Turkey Pen Gap ( awesome, but long), South Mountain (confusing trail markers; we had to actually cross a river to continue on the trail), Morrow Mountain (bad for Vic because of his back pain), King Mountain and Crowders (a local favorite).

We still talk about whether we have the chutzpah to walk 100 miles in 7 days. Oh yeah, and did I mention the first day is across the Pyrenees, from France into Spain! It is 14 miles, mostly uphill. We have been told by friends that have already walked the entire Camino (~500 miles)  that it is a 8 hour day of hiking, mostly uphill. But I read the 

Camino de Santiago Forum, which gives me great insight into issues and questions about walking the Camino. It also provides me with encouragement.

 “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

~Einstein~

Along the way we have met some lovely people.People that inspire and encourage us. We also met a man who told us about seeing bears on the trail. A man with a HUGH knife. When I asked him why he needed such a big knife he said “you never know when you’ll need it”. Yikes!  On the trail, we always take our dog, Nestle. He LOVES hiking. He especially loves swimming in streams/rivers along the way.  Whenever we walk, he walks twice as far. Running ahead, then circling back, two or more times.  When he returns to the car, he is out cold for the ride home. The walks have really helped Vic and I get in better shape.

This is me about 15 pounds heavier! Hiking and weight watchers has helped that!!! Vic has also lost about 25 pounds over the last 5 months. He also  has started working out at the gym and watching what he eats.  Nestle is wondering why he has to work so hard and get in shape for a pilgrimage that he is NOT going on!

Vic and I are extremely grateful for what we have, and what we are trying to achieve. You can never take your health for granted. It can be snatched away in a heartbeat. Literally!. 

Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.

 -Thomas Jefferson

From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health.

 -Catalan Proverb

And finally a quote that sums up our work so far..

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. -Tommy Lasorda

May you have the energy and enthusiasm that our sweet Nestle has life!!