RECENTLY RETURNED

[Russ Irwin]

Hi Lisa,

>  I had to cut my trip short for a variety of reasons...

As one who also didn't make it the whole way (I walked in May), I can sympathize with you. But, like
me, you have already expressed the desire to one day complete it. Let me include a bit of a letter I
just received 2 days ago from a dear friend that I made during my 2 week walk on the Camino:

"You have seen part of the light of pilgrimage, and you will get to know all of it next time....
Keep going my good friend, and you will reach up there where dreams come through."

All my best,
Russ

>Hello all-
>  I had to cut my trip short for a variety of reasons, starting my walk on
>July 22 and having returned home last week instead on august 27 as planned.
>  First of all, I was not ready for the pain and the heat.  It was at least
>110 degrees F. after 10:00AM, and extremely difficult to hike with my pack.
>Those fuentes never looked so inviting, and so refreshing!  Secondly, I was
>blessed to not have any blisters until day 7, but when they did occur they
>were only on my right foot, however, i think the Compeed I used to heal them
>made my foot swell, to the point where I could not put weight on it, or put
>my shoe on.
>My son tore an achilles tendon, but he was out there ready to walk further.
>despite any discomfort.
>In addition to all this, there was a death in my family back home and I felt
>that I was needed there.
>So, sadly, after Logrono, I gave up.
>I did see the rest of the road, from a car, and my heart wished that I was
>walking again,  Especially around Cebreiro, and those mountains and valleys
>which were as breathtaking to me as the inside of the cathedral in Santiago.
>Hopefully I will one day be able to walk - from Leon - to Santiago - but in
>cooler weather.
>thank you all for listening.
>I should say to all those going for the first time- train, train a lot, with
>your pack full on your back.
>I would be happy to answer any question of those who are going for the first
>time, even though i did not finish, the experience was remarkable in many
>ways.
>lisa