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Summer’s Camino De Santiago
  • Summer Willhite Fuentes
  • Summer Willhite Fuentes

Summer’s Camino De Santiago

See this girl with the sparkle in her eye? It’s for her. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 5, 2022
    Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes

    My why..

    June 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    These are the most frequent questions I am asked about my trip: What made you want to do that? Are you crazy? Is it safe? Why alone? Are you sure this is a good idea? How far for how many days?

    I have struggled to capture into words my why because frankly there are a hundred reasons I want to go on this journey and a hundred more telling me I am nuts and to stay home. I leave in 48 hours and honestly, I still don’t know if I have lost my mind. I am not brave. I have been brave because life has demanded it from me but bravery on the whole is not a word I would ever associate with myself. For the most part I have operated 90% of my life in fear. Jumping from one safe decision to the next safer one because I just need somewhere to retreat. Along the way, moving from safe to safer, I lost my passion. I lost who I am.

    The Camino De Santiago for many is a long walk, an adventure. For many others it’s a spiritual journey. I am hopeful for a spiritual reset. I am hopeful to depend on my physical body and make peace with it and all of its shortcomings. I am hopeful that I will end the journey confident in myself and excited for my future.

    For those who have known me for more than a few years know life has not been easy. I have pleaded with God for a break, and slowly it is coming. A few years ago, I started making braver and bolder decisions. I had had enough. I was numb and I knew I needed to find my way back. I changed my job, more than once. I filed for divorce. I learned to manage my life in my own. I took trips out of the country with my kids. I bought a car, I remodeled my bathroom. I grieved the loss of both my parents. Most importantly, I worked hard to re-set my mind from the trauma I have endured.

    I begged God to show up and He did, as He always has. That is one thing I know for sure, in the midst of all my chaos and every challenge I have endured, He has been the steady in the storm and my true north. So northward I will go, from Santarem Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and on to the end of the earth in Finisterre. A little over 400 miles in 28 days.

    I have a plan. And I don’t. I fly to Lisbon Tuesday morning, arriving on Wednesday. I’ll visit the Cathedral in Lisbon to get my credentials. From there, I’ll spend a five days in Lisbon with Steve and his family celebrating his niece’s marriage, and on Tuesday, the 14th I’ll hit the trail from Santarem. From there I plan to walk about 17 miles the first day.

    Proverbs 16:9
    A man’s heart his steps but the Lord directs his path.    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes

    Packed and ready

    June 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    My pack is complete. The idea I am going to have this small bag with everything I need for 30 days of walking is both freeing and terrifying. I have been advised to carry no more than 10% of your body weight, and I met that mark exactly. The pack has been professionally packed and fitted to me. I marked the strap settings with a sharpie. If I lose weight, I’ll have to make adjustments to my hip belt. The hips carry most of the weight. It’s actually a kid’s sized bag. On the back you can see that even with it being designed for youth, I needed it adjusted down to match my short torso.

    Pack contains-
    Zippered pillow case (treated with essential oils for bed bugs)
    Silk sleep liner (treated with chemicals for bed bugs)
    Turkish towel- towel, wrap, blanket, covering for church
    Rain jacket
    Sun shirt
    Two tanks
    Two t-shirts (one long and one short sleeved)
    Two pairs of shorts
    One after walk dress/ pajamas
    One pair leggings
    Four pairs of Wright socks
    Three pair of underwear/ swim bottoms
    Three bras (one for sleep/ swim)
    After walk shoes
    Shower flip flops
    Toiletries/ sunscreen
    Medicine kit/ first aide
    Guide book
    Journal and pen
    Chargers and adaptors
    Empty water bottle
    Readers and sunglasses
    Passport/ money belt and wallet
    Cross, rosary, veil for church, stone to leave behind

    That’s it!    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    I couldn't find the church but i managed to find a t

    Lisbon

    June 8, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    I am exhausted from the flight. I don’t sleep well in perfect conditions and only slept 2 hours on the flight. I checked in to the hotel had a snack and a short nap and went to find the Lisbon Cathedral for 6:30 mass. I never found it. I will try again tomorrow. Lisbon is a bustling city. They are preparing for a festival which will have everyone partying all night long on Sunday evening.Read more

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    Pilgrim’s passport

    June 9, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today I made it to the Cathedral in Lisbon and was given my pilgrims passport. The passport is stamped along the route. It must be stamped twice per day to verify the distance traveled. Once you reach Santiago de Compostela you take your pilgrim’s passport in and are issued a Compostela for completion of the way. You have to travel at least 100km to earn a Compostela. The Way is marked by yellow arrows. Today I spotted my first yellow arrow, just outside the cathedral. Saint James is the Parton of Pilgrims. He is always depicted with a shell and walking stick.Read more

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    Cascais with the Fuentes family

    June 12, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    What a beautiful weekend with the best people celebrating the wedding of Steve’s neice! Last night Nicole and Nathan were married in the most stunning venue, with every detail well executed. I love spending time with Steve’s family who have embraced me like I am one of them. I am lucky to love and be loved by them! Tomorrow, Steve and I travel to Santarem where he will leave me on the trail.Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes

    Santarem

    June 13, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Steve and I took the train from Cascais to Santarem. I will begin walking early tomorrow as it’s predicted to be over 100 degrees. We walked Santarem and found the start of the Camino. I have an app that is helpful for knowing of you are going the right way. Sometimes the trail markers are hard to spot. The marker to start in Santarem and is painted on the side of an electrical box. It leads through a courtyard to the gate of Santiago.
    I am nervous and cried a few times today. Tears of joy, gratitude and fear mixed together.    Read more

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    Santarem to Azinhaga

    June 14, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    21.8 km
    Day one is done!
    We left the hotel about 5:30 this morning so I could start early and hopefully avoid the heat. I cried all of the way to the trail head. Again tears of joy, gratitude and fear. Steve yelled back to me as I went down the path, “Beun Camino, Summer!”, which is the traditional pilgrims greeting. I will always be grateful for his love and support of me on this journey. He has encouraged me the entire time.
    About a couple km after I left him I heard dog whimpering. I spotted a large dog up the ridge tangled in a mess of barbed wire. The dog was far up and in a bad way. There was no way I would have been able to reach him or help him. It was so hard to walk away from him and his struggle. I thought about him all day and how I cannot help everyone. I am a people pleaser and helper by nature, but sometimes I need to realize that I am not equipped to help everyone.

    The rest of the day went well. The walk was beautiful, and hot, mostly through farmer’s fields. I walked slow but steady and made it to the hostel around 1:00. Showered, hand washed my clothes and took a nap. I’ll stay here for dinner and early to bed. Tomorrow I have a much longer walking day.    Read more

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    Azinhaga to Tomar

    June 15, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    26.8 km
    Today was a beast physically. What was described in the guidebook as “flower lined lanes and a stroll through a eucalyptus forest”, was quite deceiving. The flower lined lanes part was true, but that was no stroll in the forest! It was incredibly hot and steep. The forest section, which was in total about 7km took me 3 hours. I am wiped out. My HR has not been happy about it ever since. I have a tricky heart rate since my cardiac arrest, but I think some dehydration came in to play as well.

    I started off early to beat the heat, leaving my hostel at 5:15am. I wound my way through some really beautiful villages and had a ten minute conversation with a man who only spoke Portuguese. He was sitting outside a church in a tiny town where I stopped to change my socks. He showed me the water station and proceeded to talk my ear off, although I have no clue what he was saying! Who knows maybe he asked me on a date!

    I physically feel pretty good. I am not nearly as exhausted as I was yesterday! I had no tears today, even with the forest fiasco. To be on the safe side I am going to shorten my day tomorrow. I plan to visit the castle of Tomar and Convento de Cristo in the morning and then take a cab past the industrial section of Tomar and join the path from there. I feel like a cheater, but the mantra of the Camino is ,”listen to your body!”. My body might not have notified me but Apple Watch sure has!    Read more

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    Tomar to Alvaiazere

    June 16, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    17.2 km
    I shaved off 8km by taking the taxi out of Tomar. It allowed me time to tour the Tomar Castle and the Convento de Cristo this morning. It was so worth it (see pictures). Today is the feast of Corpus Christi celebrating the Eucharist. The little town I am in had a procession through the square after mass. I am fairly certain 90%of the town participated.

    I am staying in my first alburgue that has other pilgrims. Until now I have been all alone. It’s still lonely as none of them speak English. Before today, I have only seen one other person on the trail. About 4 hours in on day one a young woman walked into a cafe the same time as me and said hello. Otherwise, it’s just been me. I have had a few moments of fear that something bad could happen. I know the trail I am on is safe, but it’s hard to keep my mind off of the what if. Yesterday in the eucalyptus forest/ mountain, my mind was sure I would never get out of those woods alive! This is good for me to have to work through some of my irrational fears, but man it’s not fun. I know I will have walking companions once I get to Porto, but that is 8 days away!

    As I pilgrim, I collect stamps as I go to document the distance travelled. I must get at least two per day. Once in Santiago, I will take my book to the Camino office and be issued a Compostela (certificate of completion). The alburgue I am in is famous for its special Camino stamp, complete with a key to the alburgue on it. The owner is sweet and takes great care to affix it to the book.

    I feel better today. My watch stopped going off after dinner last night, so all is well. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. I feel them!    Read more

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    Alvaiazere to Alvorge

    June 17, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    26.5km

    Today was lots of hills. I climbed into the clouds! It was a beautiful day full of flowers, forest ferns and pine trees. I wish I could capture the smells for you all. This morning was overcast and much cooler than the previous days. It started to heat up after lunch. Thankfully I was on my way down by then. My calves are sore tonight from the downhills. My training with Susannah and Corie on Turkey Mountain didn’t cut it. Compared to today, turkey mountain is an ant hill!

    Most of the trail was in forested areas, But, part of the trail was on the side of a pretty busy roadway. That part was a bit frightening because the cars do not slow down at all.

    More on fear- Today as I was coming out of a forest trail into a little hamlet I could see a man standing just as the trail ended and merged into the town. I could tell he was looking me over, so my guard was up. As I approached he asked, “where are you from?” I responded, “the states”. He relied, “then you are loaded.” I was definitely on alert now and thinking through if I had my credit cards and money spread around enough in my pack to avoid catastrophe. Thankfully he then said, “do you want to buy my house?, it’s for sale”. I was able to relax. I told him no I have kids in the states to care for. He started walking with me telling me of his life. He lives alone and I am likely the first person he has met in a month to have a conversation with. I was cordial and let him talk and talk. He asked me for the time. I opened my phone, and he saw the picture of Steve and me on the screen saver. He asked me if he was with me and I said yes, he is a little faster of a walker but is waiting ahead for me. He asked me to take a bus to shorten my route, but I told him I have to meet my partner. I was glad for the fabricated excuse and also glad he went on his way.

    Tonight I had my first “pilgrim meal”. Restaurants on the Camino serve a pilgrim menu before the typical dinner hour of 8pm. Tonight I went into a local restaurant and asked for a regular menu in my best Portuguese. The waitress said, “you need meat!” And began serving me. I had soup and bread and a platter of meat, fries, salad and rice, flan and red wine. It cost only 8 Euro (about $9.50 US). I am only slightly embarrassed to say I ate nearly everything. I have struggled to eat while walking. I leave before breakfast is served and in Portugal, and most of Europe, breakfast is a pastry and coffee. I am walking at 6am and the cafes open about 9:00. It’s hard to eat a pastry at 9 after walking for 3 hours. Today I found a place for lunch that had a sandwich in the pastry case. Otherwise I have been having small snacks from my pack (cookies and fruit) and dinner.

    Looking forward to what adventure tomorrow holds!    Read more

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    Alvorge to Conímbriga

    June 18, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    21.2km

    Much shorter day but it felt longer than any other. I think my body is exhausted. I had planned to go a little further and cab in to avoid highway walking but I cut myself some slack and finished after the ruins in Conímbriga. I missed a short 3km of farm land and 8km of highway walking. I had planned for tomorrow to be a rest day and I am so grateful for it. My feet are starting to revolt.

    Today was lovely, lots of little villages and beautiful flowers and hundreds of butterflies and bees. I think I saw over 25 varieties of butterflies.

    There are many places on the Camino to leave an intention or release a burden. I have two items in my backpack to symbolize both. I have a holding cross I had in the ICU and the hospital. It has my teeth marks in it. My brain was on sensory overload and biting was a release. I plan to leave that somewhere behind me. It reminds me of all I have overcome, but it also comes with incredible angst. Additionally, I have a stone that has the names of people and things that are important to me. My girlfriends and I wrote on the stones last year during a weekend away. It has sat on my kitchen table for a year and reminded me of who and what is important to me. I plan to dedicate my steps to those people and things and leave the rock somewhere along the way.

    Today, I passed one of the places on the Portuguese Camino where you can leave your burden behind. I knew it was coming today, but I wasn’t ready emotionally to let go. So I’ll continue to carry it with me. I think I’ll know when the time is right.

    I met a friend and we walked for an hour. It was nice to have companionship. She is a teacher from Florida and is in her late 20’s. She walked the Camino Frances last summer. She is struggling with a sore knee so we were only able to stay together for an hour before she had to stop.

    I passed by a little “oasis”. A couple has made a little spot to get a pilgrim stamp, go in their homemade chapel and have a glass of cool water or hot tea. It was a fun surprise!

    I am so ready for rest. I am in a big city, so I ordered Uber Eats. Tomorrow I rest.    Read more

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    Coimbra-rest

    June 20, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Sometimes rest is required.

    I had planned this rest day (which I turned into two days) and made reservations for this room/ bathtub in January. I have stayed in mostly very humble accommodations but on the days I have planned to rest, I sought out someplace luxurious. I had fabulous rest. I struggle with allowing myself to be still, so this has been good for me.

    I have felt very spoiled the last two days, being served breakfast in bed, soaking in that gorgeous tub, sleeping in a private room. The time of rest has allowed my left foot to begin to feel better. Today I visited the pharmacy and got some ointment to help it heal. Even with only walking about 3k each day exploring Coimbra my calves are still sore. Tulsa and Bentonville just didn’t have adequate hills for me to get my legs in shape. They say you don’t train for the Camino, the Camino trains you, I guess that is proving to be true for me.

    Coimbra is a large vibrant city with the third oldest University in the world. I visited the “new church” built in 1200 and was able to attend Mass. I am a foodie so I loved exploring the market. It was filled with fishmongers, fresh produce, cheeses, bread; a cooks dream!

    I will leave tomorrow taking the subway to the edge of Coimbra to avoid the walk along the highway. I worked on my plans some as I have had time. I have decided that whenever the guide says “dangerous highway walking, be aware of your surroundings and do not wear headphones”, I am going to find a way around it, even if it means taking some kind of transportation.

    Hostels are filling up and reservations are becoming essential. I have started planning my stays a few days out. My friend I walked with the other day, had to stop because she couldn’t find a place to stay within a reasonable distance for her knee. I don’t want to get in that spot.

    Time to fill the tub one last time!    Read more

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    Coimbra to Agueda

    June 21, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    24.3km

    Today was not the most beautiful walk, but it was good. I told Steve it was like walking through Springdale, AR or Bartlesville, OK. Lots of new buildings and factories and it rained for about 9km! My feet felt so much better today. I am focusing on standing upright when going up and down hills. Often I let the pack tip me forward or backwards, which I suspect is why the balls of my feet and calves are so sore.

    I am staying in a hostel in a town that has its town square decorated with umbrellas and birds. It’s darling. I have a little bunk with a curtain, which is a good thing because I didn’t realize this hostel has mixed dormitories and a German man is in the bunk across from me.

    Early on in the day, I passed a church that had a rooster under the cross on the steeple. In 560, Pope Gregory declared that all church steeples have a rooster atop them. This church was not from 560, but apparently still following the decree. I knew the Bible story about Peter denying Christ three times before the rooster crows. All day I thought about the times I have denied the work of God in my life. For me, it’s been more than 3 times. When I would get distracted a literal rooster would crow. It happened over and over. It was a blessing that the surroundings were unremarkable. This allowed me to stay engaged with the lesson I was being taught. The rain came as sort of a cleansing.

    A few things you will see in the pictures… 1. I only walked in the woods for less than a km. The rest of the walk was along the roadway. While in the woods, I came across that little birdie. He looked like someone’s lost parakeet.
    2. I got a chuckle when I passed the soccer stadium. It reminded me so much of Ted Lasso. If you haven’t watched that show, it’s binge worthy.
    3. The Camino Bar- I ordered my lunch croissant (the only food item available) and sat down and a group of police officers came in and started questioning the owner. I left 3💶 on the table and slipped out.    Read more

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    Agueda to Branca

    June 22, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    27.4km

    Today it rained and rained and rained. Yesterday in the town of umbrellas, I bought one. It fits nicely over my pack and me. It slides in nicely next to my poles when I am not using it, so definitely worth the 6€. My pack is lined with a trash compactor bag so the exterior gets wet but not the contents. So far this is working well. I don’t have to scramble to cover my pack when the rain rolls in. I walked for 8 hours today. 7 of them were in the rain.

    The landscape continues to be lackluster. There were spots of beauty but not mile after mile like I had had previously. I am staying in an alburgue just off the route. It’s just me here by myself. The owner and her assistant have been lovely and we have had lots of laughs trying to communicate. They ordered me dinner in, so I don’t have to walk the 4km to town.

    I posted a picture the other day and I forgot to tell you all about it. The picture was of two arrows on a rock. One going left and one going right. One blue and one yellow. Yellow is the road to Santiago. The blue leads in the opposite direction to the Camino de Fatima. Many believe it’s where the Virgin Mary made an apparition. Everyday since Tomar I have passed pilgrims going to Fatima. It’s a shorter pilgrimage and begins, I believe in Porto.

    Tomorrow I walk about 18km and then take the train to Porto. From Porto, I will switch from the Portuguese Central Camino to the Portuguese Coastal. Jack is meeting up with me on Sunday night.    Read more

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    Branca to Porto

    June 23, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    32.4km
    Today was an adventure. I walked this morning 20km to the train station. Once there I learned there is a strike happening today and no trains are running. I finally was able to convince a taxi driver to take me into Porto. Once in Porto I set off exploring. The place I am staying would not let me leave my pack, so I ended up wearing it from 7:00 this morning until 6:30 this evening, apart from lunch/dinner as I found my way to most of the sights.

    Today is the largest celebration of the year in Porto. It’s St. John’s ’ Day. They sell these little wammer hammers and people go around bonking each other on the head. I was bonked many times. I am told the party will last all night. The city was already a sea of activity and revelry, quite a contrast to the sleepy, one cafe towns I have been in.

    I made it to the cathedral and was able to get my Camino shell. St. James’ symbol is the scallop shell. The scallop shell also means new life and is often used in baptismal fonts. After I got my shell I walked into the cathedral and sat in one of the pews. And the emotions took over. I am so grateful for this life I have and the people in it who support me and have held me up. I know this experience is the beginning of a new start for me. I feel like I am on the cusp of it and ready to jump off.

    I saw my first Camino Coastal marker, and took a picture by the Camino sign in front of the cathedral. I also saw and talked with several people who are beginning their pilgrimage or who have just finished. I finally feel like I am not alone. I climbed to the top of the tower on one of the cathedrals (pack and all) up 24 flights of stairs and got a glimpse of the ocean. Tomorrow, I’ll put my toes in it!    Read more

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    Porto to Pova de Varzim

    June 24, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    23.2km
    Ahh… the ocean! I left Porto this morning via the subway. I have learned leaving the large cities is a lot of highway walking or along rail road tracks. Today I took the subway and got off at the first above ground stop and found my way to the Camino Senda Litoral. This route follows the ocean. I was giddy when I first spotted the water!

    There is this Lee Ann Womack song I love called “I hope you Dance” one of the lines is “I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean” Every time I am at the ocean I think of those lyrics. It’s something about the vastness of the water and that somewhere on the other side another person is looking out on the same water. I think it’s important to feel small sometimes. It’s a balance I guess, knowing your place and claiming your place in the world.

    Today is St. John Day. I went to mass earlier today in a small town. The celebration was much more subdued than last night’s festivities. The entire mass was in Portuguese. I was able to follow the liturgy and stand and respond at the correct times. Saint John is known for his bravery in his life and how he was unashamed to share the love of Christ.

    Tonight I had dinner with a man on pilgrimage to Fatima. The two routes run opposite one another and he wanted me to tell him the places I stayed that were good and any pitfalls I had to overcome. We talked at dinner about our reasons for walking. He is walking as a prayer for his daughter who has a medical condition that is in need of a miracle. I told him about my miracle. I don’t love to talk about it, mostly because I have a weird survivor’s guilt. But tonight it seemed right and seemed like it would give him hope. I wanted to employ the example of St. John and speak of the love of Christ. I was able to tell him that yes, prayer works and miracles happen. Will you join in prayer that Katie would be miraculously healed?    Read more

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    Pova de Varzim to Esposende

    June 25, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    24.9km
    After days of rocky paths and steep climbs, today was a nice easy leveled walk.. and of course I take a tumble. I am fine. Just a sore and bruised shin. My pack protected my head from hitting the railing. Other than the slip, it was a cool and beautiful day.

    Today there was more celebrating! The town I am in for the evening had a parade of the preschool and kindergarten classes. They were dressed adorably and dancing in the streets. The whole community was cheering them on!

    Fast and slow.. in my normal life, you know the one where I haven’t run halfway across the world for 5 weeks, my life runs on a speed of fast and faster. Never slow. Patience is not my forte. One thing I am working on is embracing slow and cultivating patience. This is so hard for me. On the Camino it seems everything, but the walking is slow. Slow Wi-Fi, slow meals, slow service and more slow. I came across a slug this morning and I started thinking about all of my rushing and what it does to my stress and my relationships. The little slug was carefree crossing the wooden boardwalk on his own time. I am trying to embrace slow. To listen to my body and rest. To savor the simple. To soak in every sense. But honestly, I suck at it.

    Tomorrow Jack joins me for a few days. He has just finished summer abroad in Italy. I am excited to have his company and energy! Tonight I am in a full hostel in a bunk room with 7 men!    Read more

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    Esposende to Viana do Cosende

    June 26, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    29.1km
    Another beautiful walk. Another mountain climbed. I finally found some walking companions and had dinner with two lovely French women. Jack missed his connection in Barcelona and arrives tomorrow. I still get two days with him.

    My legs and feet are tired! I walk tomorrow but have a planned rest day the following day. I am ready. I have been vacillating between the traditional Portuguese Coastal route and the Sendor Litoral route. Today I mostly walked the traditional coastal. Tomorrow I will walk the Sendor into Spain. I will take a little ferry boat across the border. I am getting close!

    I love the international community of the Camino. I had dinner with the French ladies, a beer with a couple from Ireland and chatted with a German man and a groups of English girlfriends today. There were a couple of Americans sprinkled in as well. It’s definitely not as isolated as I was the first week. If I fell, someone would be coming down the path within a few minutes. My first days I went whole days without seeing a single person on the trail.
    Time for bed. The snoring man room last night kept me up!    Read more

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    Guarda to Baiona

    June 29, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    30km

    Today was so breathtakingly beautiful. I felt like I stopped every 100 yards to take pictures and try to capture the beauty. If I could walk this day over and over again I would! I feel so privileged to be on this pilgrimage. Now that I am in Spain the Camino markers countdown the KM left in my journey. I have about 130 KM to Santiago! It is so close!

    Jack left this morning for Porto. He flies to the states tomorrow. We had a great rest day in Guarda. We ate cheese and bread, drank wine and slept. Both of us were exhausted! It was wonderful to have one on one time with him and hear all about his summer abroad in Italy. He is ready to be home and see Lily and have Chick-fil-A and Dr. Pepper!

    I walked along the coast most of the day. It was so beautiful. There doesn’t seem to be a race to put a high rise on every ocean front property in Spain. Instead prime real estate was the grazing ground for dozens of horses. I grew up with horses at my grandparent’s farm. They always remind me of my childhood and my grandparents. I am blessed to still have my grandma, but my grandfather passed away when I was in college. I have a hard time remembering my childhood after my accident, but today the memories were crystal clear. I remembered all of the antics me and my cousins got into playing on the farm.

    This morning, I passed a pile of rocks where you can leave a message on a rock, or leave behind something. I thought about leaving my cross. But I waited. I talked to the Lord for several hours, going over all of the brokenness and betrayal I have endured. I felt a peace. I ended up sitting on a huge rock overlooking the ocean and throwing my cross into the ocean. I am ready to leave all the brokenness of my past behind. Right after I released it, the clouds broke and the sun shown down. God has been faithful even when I haven’t been able to see it. And today was no different!

    I wanted to do the Camino to find my footing and my peace. I am happy to be on my way!    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    1

    Biaona to Vigo

    June 30, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    28.6km

    I am feeling the back to back long days in my calves. Today was beautiful! I walked the coast all but the last 5km inside the city of Vigo. One KM I walked with my shoes off and feet in the ocean. I am 102.2 km to Santiago!

    Today I walked with two Italian women I met at dinner last night. They are both fluent in English. We had a great day sharing about our lives. One thing I have found about walking with others is I always feel pressure to keep their pace and schedule. My right calf is feeling it! Also because I was never alone it was hard to connect to my walking as a meditative experience. Tomorrow I told them I need to walk alone. I have so much life to process. I don’t want to squander this time.    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    1

    Vigo to Ponteverda

    July 1, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    24.2 km
    I took the train from Vigo to Arcade to shorten my day some. My right shin/ calf feels like it’s on fire. Once I got to Ponteverda, I tried to find kinesiology tape to tape my leg but had no luck. I decided to send my pack ahead tomorrow, hopefully that will help!

    The trail is abuzz with activity! In order to get a Compostela you have to walk at least 100km. I just passed that mark and it’s crazy the influx of people. There are large groups of students walking together. There were also a lot of spots with trail entertainment. Guitar players, bagpipers, places to buy snacks and trinkets. It’s definitely a different feel as we approach Santiago. Only 3 more walking days and about 60km until I arrive!

    I had dinner with my friends from Italy. It’s always amazing how they value American and dream of becoming an American. We plan to meet up tomorrow at some point.

    I walked alone for a couple of hours before the trail became busy. I thought about how far I have come and how amazed I am at my progress. I never thought my body would be able to handle this. I also never thought I had the mental fortitude to stick with it. There have been plenty of times I have wanted to quit. I am glad I have preserved. This experience and this space alone has been life changing.    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    1

    Ponteverde to Caldas de Reis

    July 2, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    26.9km

    On my way back from dinner last night I found the k-tape. After watching some u-tube videos I applied it to my leg. It worked perfectly. My leg felt great all day!

    It’s hard to put it words what these last few days of walking mean to me. I am overwhelmed by this experience. And at the same time I am ready to arrive. It’s tiring moving from hostel to hotel everyday carrying all of your belongings with you, checking and re-checking that you have left nothing behind. Then walking for 8-10 hours, finding your accommodations for the night, showering and hand washing everything you wore that day and hoping it has time to dry overnight. Food has been easy to find the past week. But the prior weeks it was a struggle to find anything to eat before 11am and after 3. Dinner is not served until 8pm. But Camino hassles aside, I would not trade this time and space.

    I walked this morning with a new friend from South Africa. We shared stories of loss and parenting teenagers. It’s amazing the connections you can have just by walking side by side and sharing stories of your life journey. The Camino has boldened me to share my story more. I don’t love doing it but I do know I am called to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

    Today the light was amazing. The sun filtering through the dense woods, the light in the water this morning and over the stream when I arrived. I thought a lot about light and how it radiates a space no matter how dark it is. There are several scriptures about light that permeated my thoughts all day. No matter how dark the light still makes an impact. I hope that my light will never go dim and continue to make an impact.    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    1

    Padron to Santiago de Compestela

    July 4, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    27.4km

    It is finished!

    I first spotted the Cathedral about 8km before arriving to Santiago. As you weave into the city it disappears from sight, kind of a cat and mouse game. Then as you are literally within yards of it, it appears massive in front of you. It’s breathtaking and enormous! Arrival was pure joy!

    I am so freaking proud of myself! There were many times I did not think I would make it. I had so many moments of thinking.. what in the heck, I should jump on a train and tour Europe. I am not an athlete. I am a lover of comfort and good food and good sheets. But, I set this goal for myself, and I am so glad I preserved. I learned so much about myself. I connected with the Lord in such a deep level. I allowed myself space to grieve for the first time the loss I have endured. I found peace with my past and asked for forgiveness for the ways I have fallen short. I found out I am able!

    I had been keeping all of my trauma and grief in little boxes to deal with later. I had amassed quite a pile of boxes! My cardiac arrest and ensuing brain injury and all of the losses that followed, was something I never allowed myself to grieve. Mostly because I had to keep moving forward. There were kids to raise and a job to do. The Camino allowed me the space to work through all I experienced and the loss that came with it. But I also gave me time to rejoice at the miracle of my life. I don’t think the Lord and I will ever come to terms on “why me, why did I get a miracle when so many I know did not ”? And that is ok. Finally it is ok.

    I had planned to walk the 50 miles to Finesterre and Muxia. But I am done. In total I walked 352 miles. I am still going to the ocean, but will take a bus and enjoy my days at the beach relaxing and celebrating my birthday. I still have my stone to set down somewhere on the path.

    After celebrating I attended mass and lit a candle to thank the Lord for the journey. This morning I attended mass again and they swung the Botafumeiro. It a huge incense burner that takes 6 men to pull. It was originally used to fumigate the sanctuary from the smelly pilgrims. Incense in the Catholic faith is also sign of purification. The Botafumeiro is hallmark of the cathedral and is not used at every mass. I was blessed to be able to see it today. It is an amazing sight.

    I feel like I am ready for what is next. And for me next is big and an exciting adventure on its own! I’ll share more about that later. But it’s all good! And it’s nice to have so much good on the horizon!    Read more

  • Summer Willhite FuentesSummer’s Camino De SantiagoSummer Willhite Fuentes
    1

    Santiago de Compestela to Muxia

    July 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Muxia is beautiful. I spent my birthday here. 48! The first day I visited the 0km marker. There is one in Fisterre as well. It was incredibly windy the first two days. I actually never left my room yesterday. I was tired, the wind was howling and I frankly needed a day in bed. Today was beautiful and I spent the morning on the beach before heading to Fisterre on the bus. I have mastered the bus system, which for me is a feat!

    48.. I feel younger than I have in a long while. I am not sure if it’s because I have so much hope for what is on the horizon or if it’s because I am in good shape. But it’s nice to feel good, physically, emotionally and spiritually. That for me has been a long time coming and something I have fought very hard to achieve.

    I am very eager to go home and even inquired about returning early. The cost to change my flight is over 2k so, I’ll stick with the plan of returning on the 12th.    Read more

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