I thought I would take just one more entry here to write about some of our preparations for this journey.
Before that, I need to correct something I said yesterday. I went back and checked in my journal, and the first day that I mentioned the Camino was actually September 2, 2022. On that day I simply wrote that Betty and I “are thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago for my sabbatical in 2024. I think it could be possible. And if we do it, it will be incredible. Betty is on board.” For the sake of posterity, I think I should clarify what that conversation was like.
Betty on the night before we left home
I remember feeling really anxious about asking Betty if she wanted to do this, because she had been struggling with her physical and mental health for a while. Early in September, however, I realized that I had to talk to her or I would run out of time to put together a proposal for sabbatical leave. So in the morning, on a run, I asked her what she thought about the idea. I fully expected her to say “no way.” But she didn’t. Instead she told me that the night before she had been studying in an online class on positive psychology, and the entire lesson had been on the Camino and how it is an activity perfectly designed to support human happiness. It’s spiritual, it gets people into nature, it connects people, it involves physical activity. So she said, “let’s do it.”
Since then, not a day has gone by in which I haven’t thought about this trip.
The kids have been excited since day one as well. Over the past year we have done some hiking together as a family, and we have learned that the kids (including River) are all good hikers. They are all good-natured and happy to just get out on the trail.
Of course, when we talk about this trip, people always raise their eyebrows when we talk about River’s age. At 4 years old, it’s going to be a big challenge for her. On that regard, I have a few thoughts.
Let’s hope this good energy can continue for River
While the journey is long, the individual stages can be as short as we need them to be. I think we will start with 6-8 mile stages. Maybe we will continue that pace the entire way, but for sure at the beginning we will have to take things easy. Even at a really slow pace, that’s a reasonable pace for each day. If we get stronger as we go along, we may add a bit to that daily mileage, but I’m not really counting on that. I know that alone, I could hike the Camino much faster. If I were only with Betty, or just with my older kids, we could do it faster. But the Camino is a metaphor for life, and I want to make the journey as a family. So that’s what we are going to do.
Of course, if it’s just too difficult, Betty and River can move ahead and we can catch up to them. We have also considered getting one of those tough off-road wagons for kids. If any of you have used one or have any thoughts on them, please let us know. If we could throw her in there, it might help a lot.
A few other preliminary things (all of these pictures are from the night before we left home):
Betty’s health has really improved over the past several months. She has been really dialed in with her nutrition, and she and I go on a little walk-and-jog every morning. Her mental health has also been doing really well, and she’s feeling better today than she has in a very long time. I’m so grateful.
We have checked the kids out of school for the rest of this school year. Mrs. Vogt and the entire staff at Will Carleton Academy have been amazing in helping us to make this happen. It wouldn’t be possible without that support.
The past month or so have been especially exciting as we’ve received many packages from Amazon and made many, many trips to REI to get everyone geared up. The packing lists are short, but the gear is pretty specific so that we can keep things light. For the Europe/Camino part of the trip, River has a tiny little bag that she can carry just a bit in, Ian, Anahi, and Alicia all have 25 liter bags, Kimball has a 38L, Betty 48, and mine is 58. One pair of pants, one pair of shorts, one long-sleeved t-shirt and one short-sleeve. Some warm clothes for the cold days, a sleeping bag and pad, some basic toiletries, and that’s about it. Of course for the road trip, we can afford to bring a bit more, but not much.
The final week before we left was filled with cleaning the house and the kids finishing up school. It was intense, but we got it all taken care of. Sunday was amazing as we said goodbye to our dear friends from church. I’m currently the bishop of our ward, and I’ll continue to serve while away. I’m so grateful for my counselors and secretaries, and for the ward council who work so well together and have made it possible for us to do this as well.
Sunday night we packed up our bags. At some point during the afternoon, just before a final dinner with some dear friends, we went outside and I told the kids that it’s tradition for pilgrims to carry a small rock with them on the Camino. It represents a burden they carry or a trial that they face — a blessing that they hope God will grant them on the Camino. They will carry that rock with them almost the entire journey, and then just before Santiago they will drop that rock at the foot of an ancient cross called Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross). The idea may seem a bit strange to some members of our church, but I look at it a bit like fasting for a purpose. That rock is a reminder that this is not just a vacation or a great hike, but a way to connect more directly with the powers of heaven. On the difficult days the rock will remind us that it’s supposed to be difficult, and that challenge will force us to rely even more on the Savior. It will help focus our faith.