My friend and fellow writer, Leslie, sent me a message last January. “How would you like to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain with me this September?”
‘Hell yes!’
My writing teacher, Laura Davis, was hosting a trip that had been sold out for a year. Two spots had just opened up.
In ancient times the Camino de Santiago was mainly a religious pilgrimage. Today, pilgrims walk the Camino for a multitude of reasons. It might be a spiritual or personal journey, social endeavor, getaway from the day to day, or just for the adventure.
I’d never thought of myself as a pilgrim. Adventurer, yes. Outdoorsy nature lover, hiker, traveler, yes. Spiritual, for sure. Pilgrim? Not so much.
Why walk for weeks in Spain on cobblestones, through forests and small towns, backpack in tow?
Because I can.
Several years ago, I almost died from Cryptococcus, a rare fungal meningitis I contracted during a yoga retreat with my partner Rick in the Sri Lankan jungle. I spent almost two months in the hospital and had to learn to walk again on my nerve damaged legs.
‘Pilgrims are persons in motion. Passing through territories not their own. Seeking something we might call completion or perhaps the word Clarity will do as well. A goal to which only the spirit’s compass points the way.’ – Richard Niebuhr
My spirit’s compass points the way loud and clear. The purpose for my pilgrimage is celebration.
I’m taking gratitude on the road.
In a few weeks, I will walk the Camino. I’ll put one foot in front of the other as I experience and revel in the sacredness, wonder and beauty of the life I almost missed.
Each morning I’ll celebrate as I don my trail runners and backpack, deeply grateful for each step.
Casey Conerly 
This doesn’t surprise me at all and so happy and so thankful you can do it. You go with lots of blessings and prayers for a safe and fun journey. Mine included. Love Joann
Thank you Joann! Love you!
Love it that you are doing a blog! I’ll keep you on top of it , even when you are tired. That’s what roommates are for, haha!
Thanks my friend! I’m so happy we are having this adventure together! ❤️👍
Casey, reading this brought happy tears. I recall those questionable moments you describe, and seeing from the ‘outside’ what you were experiencing. And now, to watch you using the fruits from the teachings of that time in this way is celebratory indeed. So glad that, in addition to taking gratitude on the road your are taking others of us also with this blog. Yay, you pilgrim!
Dearest Sue! Thank you for all your loving support over the past few years and now as I head out on my adventure. Celebration indeed! 👍❤️
Had a good walk week. it’s been dreary and rainy and windy and cold in France and Brussels but next week should be nice everywhere in Europe and hopefully it will carry through to the end of September. LOVED your song, -It’s not my fault- !
❤️
I’ll be following g you from Blowing Rock NC.. Have a wonderful adventure. You’re an amazing women.
❤️❤️