Your soul knows the geography of your destiny and the map of your future. Trust this side of yourself. It will take you where you need to go but it will also teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey ― John O'Donohue, Book of Celtic Wisdom

As we get closer to leaving the excitement, anticipation and fear grow. Yesterday we hiked 13.5 miles in town. It wasn't too hard but we were tired at the end.

Walking let us appreciate the pleasant scenery all around Charlotte, that you don't see in a car. Including the new Romare Bearden Park, in Uptown Charlotte. 
A little ditty about Bearden;  he was an African-American artist and writer. He worl media including cartoons, oils, collage. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bearden moved to New York City at a very young age and went on to graduate from NYU in 1935. He began his artistic career creating scenes of the American South. Later, he endeavored to express the humanity he felt was lacking in the world after his experience in the US Army during World War II on the European front. He later returned to Paris in 1950 and studied Art History and Philosophy at the Sorbonne in 1950.

 On our last loooooong walk we made a few stops for refreshments and lunch. I am pictured below at our last stop, where Vic indulged in yogurt.

I started this blog to explore my spirituality and to understand myself and my strong call to walk the Camino. As time gets closer, I am glad that I started the blog. Glad that I did some personal exploration and glad that family and friends supported me. 

Now what I know is this;

I want to walk this walk for me.
I want to spend time outdoors, in silence or at least “quiet time”.
I want to truly disconnect from my over connected world
I want to walk this demanding challenge, with my husband, and seek to strengthen our relationship, on our 13^th anniversary.

In addition that those goals here are my random thoughts before starting....

I trust that it will work
I’m looking forward to toast, jelly, & café con leche.  

I can’t believe that the Spanish have never heard of peanut butter! They like nuts, yogurt, and always some sort of chocolate in the afternoon for energy. Well that’s ok… 
I know that keeping hydrated is very important. 

Water, water everywhere. 

“Take plenty of water and refill your water bottles or reservoir throughout the day. 2-3 liters of water a day is what’s recommended.  At first it feels like trying to drown yourself, but dehydration along the Camino sneaks up on you.  You don’t feel thirsty, you don’t think you need it, and more water means having to pee more often.  But over and over again we were reminded – by wise counsel along the way or by our own bodies – that water is essential and not to be taken lightly.  "

We’re baptized in water because it is life-giving.


the Camino. MY Camino

With all the walking I’ve done, reading,and  meeting with our local Camino group, I’m done with my preparation.  I’m ready.   Ready.  

This doesn’t mean there won’t be any surprises, frustrations, disappointments or plans gone awry. In fact, I guarantee that there will be some of that.   I think the Camino is like life:  **** happens. 

And the test of my Camino is how I will deal with the unexpected, where I find God in it all, and whether or not I have prepared to be flexible enough to live MY Camino.  I want to approach this walk with flexibility

and faith.

Buen Camino,   Vaya con Dios!

Experienced travelers know that most of the time, no matter how tightly their itinerary is planned or how much they read about where they’re going, the most memorable moments will be the unexpected.

I am ready!