To Roncesvalles

It just about killed me. 29 km, all of it up except about 6 km. And down wasn't exactly a picnic. But the scenery was "to die for". The mountains reminded me of the Great Glen in Scotland. Sheep and horses and cattle dotted the hillsides and always one of the group had a bell on, so the air was always filled with the sound of bells. In my life I will never forget this day

St. Jean Pied de Port-the Journey Begins

I arrived at the St Jean Pied de Port station and walked with a bunch of pilgrims into town, looking for the Pilgrims information place. I soon had my credential, a scallop shell, and a room. The town is ancient, but very lively. I have met an Italian woman and an Irishman who has ridden his bike from Holland. I was actually able to help some non-French speakers to be understood. It is a struggle to try to understand a foreign language constantly, but thrilling when you succeed. Tomorrow will be a tough day. Pray for good weather. Bon soir.

The Camino Frances

Here is a simple map to follow as I make my way along the camino.

Lesson #1: be flexible

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go, but my stand-by flight's not lookin' too good. My pilot friend has advised that Tuesday looks better. Time to be flexible...
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Thanks to my P.E.O. Sisters

As I am making final preparations to leave for France on Sunday, I would like to send thanks and love to my PEO sisters of Chapter Z, KY. Their enthusiasm, support and love mean so much to me, and their pledges per mile to support my favorite PEO philanthropy, the International Peace Scholarship (for women who will take the knowledge that they gain through study in this country back to benefit their home country) will help keep me going. "Educate a Man and You Educate an Individual …Educate a Woman and You Educate a Nation."

An Awesome Sunday

What a wonderful Mother's Day I've had. I gave a short presentation on my forthcoming pilgrimage to my Sunday School class and at our two church services. My church family responded in such a loving way, and I feel so uplifted by their encouragement and promises of prayers. I also am "walking for  a cause" and asked for pledges per mile towards one of my favorite charities, New Life International, which makes water filters and sends them all over the world so that people can have the most basic of necessities, clean water. The response was wonderful! If you would like to pledge also, just send me an email and I'll put you down. Remember to do the math: a penny a mile will add up to $5.00 if I walk 500 miles.

I have been preparing for this adventure for a long time, now, and I am so ready to go. Scared a bit, but ready. I just looked at Google Earth and went to the town where I will start my walk, St. Jean Pied de Port. I hadn't realized before that you can make the software show you a view as if you are walking and looking at the horizon. The Pyrenees look so beautiful! Try it yourself and see. You can also see photographs that people, mostly pilgrims I suspect, have taken on the Camino. It is breathtakingly lovely. I hope in my blogs that I can convey something of the beauty and experiences of the Camino to you all.

Ultreia! (Onward!)

A Practice Sending Blog from Blackberry

Monday I went walking in the beautiful Bernheim Forest. I just decided to walk as I pleased and not worry about the miles, so I just walked for four hours or so and enjoyed the time. I brought one of my trekking poles and found what a great help it is in walking up and down hills and jumping across streams. The photo is a sculpture in one of the gardens of a boy emerging from the stone. Reminds me of that Michaelangelo one--don't know the name.
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