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How nice it is to have an excuse to stay indoors for a while after all these weeks and days of training out on the hot asphalt or in the buggy woods. I have learned so much during my Camino training which began in February.  It has been good to have a goal to work toward and I am feeling fairly well prepared mentally and physically.  Here are the highlights….

Today I am enjoying the song of the pounding rain on the roof as I recall being caught in a surprise shower with full pack on my back last week.  That particular hot, humid day it felt so good to be showered by the cool rain as Kathryn and I trudged down the Appalachian Trail. It was raining so hard that the trail was actually a babbling stream down the side of the mountain.  Our boots and socks got soaked.  All we could do was make the best of it ant enjoy the moment.  Kathryn was wise enough to remember her cellphone and put in in a drier spot.  My phone was NOT so lucky!

So, lesson learned from that experience was to always be prepared for rain. Pack the rain cover, jacket, etc. Most important: Stop and cover up the pack and the body as soon as possible! I am now the proud owner of RAIN pants….who would’ve thought?

Recently, I have suffered with so many different itches!!!  Bug bites, poison ivy, heat rash, sunburn and something new.  I have a raised welt on my upper right thigh that burns and tingles.  UGH…I have so many different creams and pills for itches but none work on this rash!  Lesson learned: wear bug spray NO MATTER what!  Do not brush up against ANY plants…none!

I have also learned more about my local parks, trails, mountains, flowers and animals. I’ve seen my first black bear and rattlesnake in the wild. I’ve seen my beloved Lady Slipper plant which I have not seen since my childhood. I’ve lived in Rockland County my entire life of nearly 60 years and I am still learning about this county and region.   Now, ain’t that something?

New people have come into my life and relationships with others have deepened.  It was so much fun laughing in the rain with Kathryn. It was especially a joy to see her unburdened and in a new place. Nina who was my favorite RAS teacher, has become  not only my personal trainer but also a near and dear friend.  And Ursula came into my life from 2 degrees of separation.  She is someone that has lead me to new places in my backyard…..I have gone on many wonderful discoveries with her such as swimming in our beloved Pine Meadow Lake.

I am already having a Buen Camino and I haven’t even landed in Spain yet.

 

 

I am counting down now….I will be on the plane to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago in 25 days!!!!  I feel as if the journey began about a year ago though. Planning, preparing and training have been in motion for quite a while so the actual foot to path is going to put all of that to the test. I have had some very exciting hikes and made some hiking buddies, Ursula and Nina, throughout the process. I’ve eaten my share of wild berries and seen my first bear and rattlesnake in the wild.

I am concerned about my level of fitness and stamina are not up to snuff. I have had a couple of weeks off the trail while Ursula has been away.  I had one big hike with Nina and daily walks on flat ground with Randy this past week. Tomorrow I am going to get myself out on the road early to get some miles with the backpack.

I am reading Joyce Rupp’s Walking in a Relaxed Manner now. This book has set off some anxiety, especially with the toilet problems! Good thing I have practice squatting in the woods.