The reflection the night before

I may or may not write much after I get started but a few thoughts as I get started on an adventure that was a seed a very long time ago and it has gradually germinated until now. Initially it was thinking about who I would do this with. A few special people may really have wanted to do this and I would have loved their company. However as time passed, I realized that those individuals would not be able to come in my time frame. So I then wrestled with the decision of going alone - after all time passes and I feel that one must take the opportunity now as who knows what is around the next bend. It was last September that I mouthed the words that I would be doing the Camino this spring - recognizing that I might go alone. And so in my mind I became committed.

Why am I doing this and why alone? I am doing it for the physical challenge, to be in the outdoors, to meet people, to eat out, to spend time with myself, and as a spiritual and personal growth experience. I figure if you want to do a trek 'alone' that this must be 'the one'. After all tons of people do it and I expect to be alone mostly in the sense that I went alone. I will meet lots of people. I will make my choices and decisions.
Also last summer 7 days of backpacking with Georgina and Jamie made me realize that more days out in the mountains are even better than less. It was not a rush to get to the shower or to have real food and a beer after 7 days - though it was much appreciated but on previous shorter trips I was always more anxious for those things. Seven days seemed to establish a real rhythm.

I 'trained' more for this than most things that I do. I actually have walked with a pack on my pack for the past couple of months and the tight muscle that I have had for years in my shoulder is totally relaxed. I always said that I would never walk in the community with a pack on my back. So never say never.

I want to thank all the family and friends that have wished me well on this exciting venture. I will think of you often - its always great to go away and its always great to come back home.