Day 21

Lord, You have come to the lakeshore Looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones You only asked me to follow O Lord, with Your eyes You have searched me And while smiling have spoken my name
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me By Your side I will seek other seas You know so well my possessions
My boat carries no gold and no weapons You will find there, my nets and labor 

Señor, me has mirado a los ojos Et sonriendo hasdicho mi nombre En la arena he dejado mi barca: Junto a Ti buscaré otro mar 

You need my hands full of caring Through my labors to give others rest And constant love that keeps on loving 

O Lord, with Your eyes You have searched me And while smiling have spoken my name
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me By Your side I will seek other seas 

You, who have fished other oceans
Ever longed for by souls who are waiting My loving friend, as thus You call me 

Señor, me has mirado a los ojos
Et sonriendo hasdicho mi nombre
En la arena he dejado mi barca:
Junto a Ti buscaré otro mar. Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore— 
I guess this song in many ways is so haunting and beautiful reminding us that Jesus was gentle and caring, compassionate and loving. Forgiveness being the hallmark of what he said and did. 
As I walk this song often comes into my head and heart. If you haven’t heard it I encourage you to take some time yo find it and listen to it. I haven’t heard it this time while walking the Camino but I hope by the time I make it to the sea I will. 
It’s amazing that God’s grace can come to us through the kindness of strangers, through the love of friends and family, through nature’s abundance, through hope revived when we take the time to listen, wait, breathe deeply and take a chance to go on a journey…

Buen Camino 

Day 20
“It’s dangerous business, Frodo going out your door. You step onto the road and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no telling where you might be swept off to.” JRR Tolkien 
No truer words were written, spoken. I truly believe everyone ought to travel. Get away from your things and see the world. One of my best friends started traveling several years ago and and she has seen a lot of the world. Her health has prevented her from doing too much but she goes and she sees and she has adventures. She also encourages me on mine. 
You step out your door and there’s no telling where you might be swept off to. 
Walking the Camino certainly fits this category. You find yourself encountering people from all over the world, people with all different backgrounds and traditions. And it changes your life forever. 
Lindsay and I left Tosantos and headed on toward Burgos. That wasn’t our destination but we were trying to make it as far as we could. The climb and terrain was a little tough this day. But lindsay got to see her favorite animal a fox as we made our way through the woods. 

We had met another American named Robert in the albergue and he was running low in cash but the next police for an ATM was Burgos two days away. He had 5€ which was enough for that night’s stay and no more. I offered him some money but he said “the Camino will provide” which is a common phrase. We saw him again and I asked but he said the same thing to which I replied, “you know me offering to help you may just be the way the Camino provides”. He thought for a moment and said, “you may be right”. Then I said, “I tell you what if I see you again, a third time I will offer again and that will be a sign to accept.” He said, “if I see you again I will glad accept!”
We arrived in San Juan de Ortega and the little town was alive. It was the Saint’s feast day. It was exciting but was also starting to storm. Lindsay had gone to the bathroom and I was sitting watching the people gather when a woman began talking to me. She was from Canada and her name was Josie. She was really struggling with knee problems. There was a man who was helping her carry her things. But it was still hard for her. I talked to her for a bit and then gave her advice about where to stay in Burgos where they take care of pilgrims who have had injuries or health problems. It’s where I stayed two years ago. She asked if she could stay more than one day and when I said the hospitalera will let you stay as long as you need and she wakes you up with guitar and singing. She just cried. And got up and embraced her. Then I tore out the page in my book so she could have the information and directions. We visited a little longer and then lindsay and I headed out in the storm for where we were staying which was 8 miles away. 

When we arrived in Ages which was only a couple of miles we stepped out of the rain into a bar and saw John our friend from Malta. He was a welcome sight. We stayed there and had lunch. And then headed out. It was cool but had stopped raining. We got into Altapuerca and John was trying to decide whether to stay or go on with us. There was a pretty good climb out of Altapuerca and he was ready having knee and Achilles’ tendon trouble. But so good to see him. 

We turned the corner of a building and a man stepped off the curb and it was Robert. He looked at Lindsay and me and said “no way!” He said with surprise. “I’ll take it!” I was already reaching in my bag to get him some money to give him. Indeed the Camino provides but you have to listen and be receptive. 

Lindsay and I climbed on out of Altapuerca and made our way to Caranuela Riopico. It wasn’t an easy climb but we were glad we did it. We got to our albergue and found out that it was their 4th anniversary of opening. 

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We had dinner with other pilgrims and met some Italians and French and a woman from Slovenia. It was a lot of fun getting to know others and hearing about their journeys. 

After dinner we sat with Pilgrims and locals watching the big futbol game between Real Madrid and Juventes. It was fun. Then robbed where there were lots of snorers. 

The next morning was delayed because of rain. But well we got going. And had fun. Sort of!!

Always!!!

Buen Camino!!

Day 19

I’ve got my ticket for the long way round Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company I’m leaving tomorrow what do you say 

When I’m gone
When I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone You’re gonna miss me by my hair You’re gonna miss me everywhere, oh You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone When I’m gone
When I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone You’re gonna miss me by my walk You’re gonna miss me by my talk, oh You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone 

I’ve got my ticket for the long way ’round
The one with the prettiest of views
It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers, it’s got sights to give you shivers But it sure would be prettier with you 

When I’m gone
When I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone Ou’re gonna miss me when I’m gone You’re gonna miss me by my walk You’re gonna miss me by my talk, oh 
Walking out of Santo Domingo 

I’ve talked a lot about missing people we meet in the Camino how they come in our lives for a short while and then they walk on or you walk on. And there is so much truth to it. 
But the other truth is that Lindsay and I are both missing family and friends back home. I missed my dad’s 94 birthday but through technology we were able to wish him a happy birthday and tell him how much we love him. 
I missed the Tour de Rock cycling event in Little Rock with all my friends but was able to enjoy the photos and celebrations through social media. And celebrate a job well done by my friend Alison and the TDR committee. 
I miss my my family and my puppies but know that soon Jim will be here to walk part of the Camino with us. And my puppies are being well taken care of by a dear friend. 
And so many others of you that I see and spend time with…on the journey we call life. 
I miss my church family and the work that we do. I didn’t realize how much until I was talking with my friend about my church. I told him about Worship, Sunday school, our book study group and then about the Sunday morning breakfast for the community and I teared up. I took my glasses off and wiped my eyes. And he said, “you miss them.” And I said, “yes, yes I do.” 
So…You are loved and missed…if I walked with you a short while or a long time. 
Thanks for going on this journey with me. Thanks for your notes of support and encouragement and love. 
Buen Camino. 

Day 17
“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone and I must follow if I can.” JRR 
Known as The Walking Song by Bilbo Baggins and used in both The Hobbitt and Lord of the Rings. It talks of journeys. 
On this day Lindsay and I left out of Najera leaving Noel and Mitchell behind to get David on a bus. David’s Achilles’ tendon was really bothering him and we all knew he shouldn’t be hobbling on it. David would meet us in Santo Domingo. Mitchell and Noel would catch up somewhere along the way or in Santo Domingo. 

We met up along the way. It was a good walking day but a hot day with one good hill. At the top of that hill there was this guy under an umbrella with all kinds of cold drinks and fruit…a welcome relief. A shady, and sunny area to relax in for pilgrims for a few minutes before walking on past a golf resort to get a cold beer and relax. It was a welcome relief. 

We made it into Santo Domingo and found our accommodations and relaxed before beginning to explore. We went to have some coffee, wine , lunch at a place down the street after our showers. A man came up with a dog who claimed to have walked the Camino 70 times. He is certainly old enough and thin enough. Without any request from us he said something to David about his blisters and pulled out s bag with anointments. David administered the anointment and then sat in the sun like the guy said and his blisters were better. The man had a gift or a knack for healing. Call it what you like but he there was something there; there was also the fact that he enjoyed drinking a little too much. But that was no reason for discounting or discouraging his gifts. 

We walked around Santo Domingo and enjoyed the sights and sounds, the people and food. 

La 

Ultimately we ended up staying another day in Santo Domingo. David was healing and we wanted to see if he might be able to walk on with us. And our friends from the Netherlands were returning home the following day. 
So for the purposes of simplicity I have combined Day 17 and 18. 
Day 18

“The first step is the hardest…whether its getting out of bed early in the morning or changing clothes after a long day of work to go ride, “the first step is the hardest!” 
This was going to be true for Lindsay and me saying goodbye to companions that we walked with from nearly the beginning. We had made other friends. But many of them had gone on or already headed home. I had this experience the last time I walked the Camino. 
Many people face this feeling in their day to day lives going to work or facing challenges or making changes. Taking that first step is so difficult and challenging. But also necessary. 

We had a good day enjoying Santo Domingo but we all knew that the next day we were going to have to make the journey on…and take that first step moving on to where the path leads. 
Buen Camino.