Filled with emotions and confusion. Did I train enough?  Did I pack the right things?  Can I do this?  My thoughts are of the many challenges I took on in the past. Unsure if I was up to it.

Let’s get this show on the road and find out if there is one more challenge I can face and put behind me.

Gentle Reader, the night before last I was notified that I would not be doing this walk with a friend as he is having a back problem. As I have put this adventure off for a long time, I am anxious to get started. I was able to change my flightt reservations and I am now only 3 days away from departing my retired life of leisure.  So many thought running through my head. The one constant is that I can do it. I have read so much about others who have done this without a lick of preparation that it gives me confidence.

I harken back on life and words I spoke upon my retirement. I am humbled by my good fortune. I have “backed into” life from the beginning. From my breach birth to my last minute acceptance to West Point, to so many things. I must believe that this walk is possible. My desire to walk the Camino must eminate from somewhere and it is my responsibility to follow that.

Blogs are a strange thing. My intentions are to blog so that you can keep track of my progress but I can not resist the sharing of thoughts and observations along the way.

I must not accelerate my packing.

When you have all year to do something it takes a year to do it..I have been training for the Camino for a year and all of a sudden it is only 10 days away. Last minute prep involves medical appointments, servicing the car, making sure all finances are in order, etc. Suddenly I will be on a plane and heading to Spain and a 6 week separation from Jean. This will be the first time we will spend 6 weeks apart since I was working. I am sure she will be fine but I may not.

After training for nearly one year, it is hard to believe that I am only 16 days away from departing for Spain.  The Camino is always in my thoughts. I have been carrying my pack fully loaded for weeks now but 2 nights ago awoke remembering one more thing that I have to pack. I now have airline reservations to Madrid, a hotel in Pamplona,a hotel in St Jean Pied de Port, euros, a new small CPAP that can be battery operated. I do not know how much more I can do. Let’s get started.

as I continue the long prep phase for then amino. Learning how to post to a blog so that loved ones can follow along is important. This is my first try 

Celebrating life before the training and the pilgrimage.  Always trying to put as much Carpe in my Diem as possible.  Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess.  I will walk about 5000 miles before I start the 500 miles of the Camino Frances.  Likely carrying more than I need and walking faster than necessary.  I expect that the Camino will be a bit of a metaphor for life.  Entered into with anticipation and some knowledge but with sufficient confidence that I can handle it.  This is how I entered into most jobs, and most of the roles I have played in my life.  My hope is that by the time I enter the cathedral in Santiago de Compastella I will be as pleased and proud as I have been for all those things above.