ALMOST READY!

I think I am ready to go! Amazon Prime has been my evening entertainment!  I order something one night, then the item arrives and I find out it is the wrong size, color, or weight, so I go back to Amazon Prime to get the return label and start all over again!  Helen, Karen and I had "show and tell" with our backpacks last Friday. Then we went for our final shopping trip to REI, and to eat Tapas at a Spanish restaurant in Reston!  It was very, very hot, but we ate outside to get acclimated to the idea of no air conditioning!  My backpack was the heaviest and today I repacked, taking out several items I thought at one time, I could not live without.  I do not want to carry more than 14 to 16 lbs.  Getting close!!

Helen still cannot walk with her stress fracture, but she is going to the pool daily and will soon resume walking.  Karen and I have hiked many parts of the Appalachian Trail and we are now gradually winding down.  I think we are as ready as we will ever be and I know that no matter how much we prepare we will still be preparing during the first few days of our hike.

I believe I started MY Camino the day I said Yes to walking The Way (as it is called).  Talking to those who have preceded us, gathering our equipment, training without our packs and with our packs on pavement and hills and in the sun and the rain: Yes, we have begun the journey.  My cat sitter was over last week end and she is ready to take care of Ranger and CiCi in my absence.  Not only have I prepared myself physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.  I have prayed for strength and for healing. I have downloaded Laudate to follow the Spanish Liturgies in English, and the Confession App to meditate on while walking.  I have downloaded a couple of spiritual audio books for the long, boring parts of the trail.  I also have Josh Groban and Bocelli and some Country and Gospel songs!

Everyone tells me it is MY Camino and I must walk it MY way.  I am open to see what El Camino has in store for me!  The three of us agree that we do not want to encroach on each other's pilgrimage. Sometimes we will be together and I am sure sometimes we will walk alone. I am excited and a little scared, but not too scared!!!

As for Mai Lara, we are waiting for the results from the second colonoscopy.  I am hopeful all will be well.  I will be flying straight to England to be with her and Andy on 11 October.  Of course all is subject to change, but those are the plans for now!

At the moment, I am excited because my son, Bradley, returns to Fort Hood to his family on 23 August, after a year in Kuwait.  I will be happy when he is home!  I will have to wait to see him after I return, but knowing he is in the USA with Alicia, Peyton, Cameron, Taylor and Sadie (the dog!) is good enough for now.

Buen Camino