Heading Back - 2025

It has almost been 2 years to the date since I started my first journey on the Camino. I am leaving tomorrow to pick up where I left on in Hontanas. I am meeting friends for a few days in Barcelona before leaving with my longtime friend, Malcolm Stewart, who will start out on my walk with me for the first 5 days. After that, I am on my own for a while, but I am expecting company towards the end of the trip.

I have been brutal in my packing so I have my backpack down to 17 pounds, probably 6 pounds lighter than 2 years ago.

My feelings are a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I am excited for the trip and the possibility to reframe my experience from 2 years ago that ended early with an injury. Hurting myself took over the story of my trip that was life changing in so many other ways. I am excited to see what each day brings, who I will meet and the new towns and cities that I will walk through and stay in. I am excited to start this trip with the Stewarts and especially starting my walk with Malcolm.

I am nervous because what if I can't finish my walk. I have 300 miles to go, it could prove too much for me or even worse, what if I was to be injured and had to stop yet again, ugh.

On the 18th Malcolm and I are taking a train from Barcelona to Burgos, then a taxi to Hontanas about 20 miles West to get back on the trail. First thing is to stop in and say Hi to Louis at the hotel where I stayed 2 years ago, see if he remembers me after a couple of years. Then we will start to walk West to our first destination that night.

Thank you for checking in from time to time.