Seventeen days!
This week, Carol (my first Camino angel back in 2012) came down from Portland for a walk and catch-up visit. Together, we did 10.7 miles around north Salem and explored a whole agricultural area where I’d never been before!
I confess, I was fine up to about six miles and then started getting crabby, sore, and tired. Thank goodness for interesting, chatty friends whose natural energy keeps me going. ❤
And! News!
Finally! All the details have been hashed out so I can share with you some exciting Camino developments!
Back in December, I mentioned that it was very, very likely I would be joined by Muriel—the sage and funny French librarian I met on my first Camino—for the last part of my Camino.
Now it’s confirmed and I’m squee-cited! PLUS, an additional exciting thing has developed.
Marisela, the city-savvy girl from Bogotá I met on my very first day in Saint Jean Pied de Port, is flying to Europe from Colombia to meet us! NO WAY! Yes, way!!
Peregrina reunion
The three of us will reunite in Pamplona and then take our time crossing back over the Pyrenees together. Muriel and Marisela (plus Katrin, another peregrina) were a little Camino family in 2013. After weeks of walking solo this year, I can only imagine how wonderful it will be to see these two beautiful, beloved faces again after three years apart.
Marisela and I are especially excited to cross the Pyrenees via the higher, Napoleon route since it was closed due to snow the day we left SJPP. The Valcarlos route was lovely, but we’re eager to see the shrine to Mary and have the whole experience.
Best of all, we already have a confirmed reservation at Orisson (the only place to stay on top of the hill), and two days at Beilari, where Marisela and I first met.
As if I needed more reasons to be excited, I already know this peregrina reunion will be the icing on my Camino cake!
Also!
Right out of thin air, I’ve got two Camino speaking gigs on the calendar for fall!
In October, I’ve been invited by the Las Vegas REI to give a presentation about my Camino experiences and meet up with their newly-hatched APOC group. I’m also invited to give a Camino talk at Salem Summit Company this September in Salem, OR.
Group events like these are one one my vary favorite things to do. When the dates are firmed up, I’ll be sure to post them here. I’m super jazzed!
Now, if I could just find enough time to walk daily. It’s coming up SO fast!
Jen's Journey - Camino de Santiago 2013, 2016, & 2019 
for what it’s worth — probably nothing, but here goes anyway. i wonder if the friends of the camino would consider planning hikes that were mapped out so that short distance hikers could drop out at 2 miles or so, but the ‘real’ hike would be at least 5 miles. i’m surprised they keep interest in 2-mile hikes. but, clearly they do. so what do i know?
The Portland group ends up at a place to have snacks and a beer, so dropping out would defeat the purpose. That said, there’s no reason not to go rogue and hike in the morning before the official group meets. 😉
Congratulations on your speaking engagements! And what wonderful news about reuniting with your dear friends!
Jen, that’s going to be an awesome reunion. Congrats on the speaking gigs! I have family in Vegas so keep us posted on the dates.
Buen Camino!
Ps. I love your use of “squee!”
I highly recommend the use of “squeee” in many situations. Life is full of things that delight beyond words. 🙂
I’ll definitely keep you posted!