Moving forward, around, and through

It begins with roadblocks. Temporary barriers that make a pathway forward more arduous.

“Obstacle/Hindrance: Hurdle, barrier, impediment, snag, drawback, stumbling block.”

The idea of stumbling resonates with me and makes me smile. It’s the Camino in a word. We all stumble through life, navigating the uneven ground, the misdirections, and the unexpected.
I begin (or actually continue) my Camino today as I get ready to board a plane to Madrid, and then another to Bilbao. I flew to Bilbao in June 2024 and began a two week solo walk on the Camino del Norte where there were many imposing obstacles to work through.
This time, I’ll head in the opposite direction and bus to Bayonne, France to then hop on a train, on Friday, to Saint Jean Pied de Port at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains.
The plan is to begin walking Saturday morning and walk to Borda, a rather short distance with considerable elevation gain. It will be an “easy” first day. But the forecast is saying snow Saturday night, so the actual crossing of the mountains could be sketchy.
My friend Alexander told me, “The level of trial is matched by the gift.” I love this and am ready to continue the path I’ve chosen, roadblocks and all.
A day of travel!Read more