It was a cool morning in mid-April, and we set out across the French countryside through a thick mist that was almost rain. Eric walked ahead with the Brothers Grim, peppering them with questions and practicing his French. They loved him. I lagged behind as we crossed a field of brilliant springtime green, so IContinue reading “A Camino Moment: The Deer”
Tag Archives: Camino de Santiago
Camino del Norte: To Plan or Not to Plan, That Is the Question
Three weeks from today, we’ll be on an airplane, flying (direct!) from Seattle to Paris. Which means that right about now, I’m on that teetering seesaw between over-planning for the Camino del Norte and promising not to over-plan. I’ve got all of the gear: I’ve spent hours stalking REI Garage bargains, buying all of theContinue reading “Camino del Norte: To Plan or Not to Plan, That Is the Question”
Book Cover Reveal!
Three years ago today, Eric and I woke before dawn, pulled on backpacks and hiking clothes that still felt awkward, and walked out of Le Puy, France, on what would be a 79-day, life-changing trip. And so it’s particularly fitting that today is the day I get to introduce you to the face of Walking toContinue reading “Book Cover Reveal!”
Camino Shoes: Take 4
I’ve reached that part of my Camino planning when I’m buying all the things and simultaneously promising that I’ll pack lighter this time. You’d think by now, prepping for my third visit to the Camino, I’d have everything I need. But a new hiking shirt (and matching Buff headband) seemed justified, and, well, those pantsContinue reading “Camino Shoes: Take 4”
Le Puy-En-Velay
On the Monday after Easter three years ago, Eric and I arrived in Paris after an overnight flight. We took a train to Lyon, and then another one to Le Puy-en-Velay, one of the oldest starting points of the Way of Saint James, according to the twelfth-century guide for pilgrims—considered one of the earliest travelContinue reading “Le Puy-En-Velay”
A Day Alone in Burgos
A couple of weeks ago (yeah, I’m behind with my writing) I did something I’d never done before. I went to a play by myself. And not just any play. I went to THE play. Hamilton. The story of how I got there is long and not very interesting. Short version: I have been geekingContinue reading “A Day Alone in Burgos”
The Train That Is Me
I had this whole other blog post planned for this week. (Actually, I had it planned for last week, too…) But a few days ago my Camino friend Roy Howard posted this quote from Mark Nepo on his Instagram page, and every word of it just nailed me: “Like most people I know, I struggleContinue reading “The Train That Is Me”
The Abbey
The photos last week caught my attention. The chapel, covered in snow. The lone pilgrim, covered in a poncho but soldiering on. I knew this place, and the people who guarded pilgrims along this stretch of road. Although when I’d passed by, the sky was grey and full of rain, not snow. From Walking toContinue reading “The Abbey”
Progress (Almost Wordless Wednesday)
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” — Barack Obama When Eric and I set out from Le Puy, Santiago de Compostela seemed impossibly far away. A thousand miles? It was easy to get discouraged and believe I couldn’t do it. But the thingContinue reading “Progress (Almost Wordless Wednesday)”
The Ugly American
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about a story that will be in Walking to the End of the World. Linda, my developmental editor who was generally right about everything, expressed some concern about keeping this anecdote in the final book. She worried that it would make me seem too critical and would turn readersContinue reading “The Ugly American”
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