Camino End

Thoughts from a Rest Day in Muxia … the End of the Earth

It’s been a wonderful trip. From the realization that I wanted to do the Camino again but this time to raise awareness and funds for a great charity, to the planning and saving process, to the whole surreal travel experience, and starting out those first few days. 

Along the way. I’ve encountered snakes, lizards, bedbugs, spiders, lots of mice and other rodents, sunburn, blisters, lost toenails, heat rash, exhaustion, hunger, thirst, dizziness, and general fatigue. I’ve been turned around and off track more times than I care to count. 

I’ve also seen some breathtaking sunrises, stunning night skies, meteor showers, enjoyed beautiful vistas of such variety, prayed in churches many times older than my home country, fed many, many sweet city and country animals, rode a horse up a mountain, and soaked my feet in the cool ocean.  

I’ve slept across the room from some colossal snorers that I wanted to hit with my pillow (but didn’t). And I’ve encountered some extraordinarily warm, generous souls from various countries all over the world. Long stretches of open road are a perfect setting to get to listen to each other and appreciate what each other has been through. 

I want to thank everyone who has commented and those who have sent me private notes to say you’re following along and praying for me. Your notes really helped to cheer me along when the road was difficult. And, many days it was.

Thank you to my co-workers who have graciously and professionally held down the fort while I’m away. Greatly appreciated.

Thank you to my friend Sue for so willingly taking me to the airport and picking me up when I get back!

Thanks to my kids for their support. And to Adam, for watching the chickens! 🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Thank you for the many contributions- as I write we’ve helped 78 people who didn’t previously have access to safe, clean drinking water.  78 people just like us.  Thank you to those who have mentioned you’re subscribers already to charity:water’s Spring – one of the most sustainable ways to help in the fight to end the world water crisis. 

So now, the grand trip totals – from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France to Muxia, Spain 

# Days Straight Walked: 33

# Steps: 1, 371,620

# Miles: 569.2

# Liters of clean water carried and consumed: > 173

# Cafe con Leche: 63

# Days I wanted to run into the bushes to pee: 33

# Days I did: 14

# Animals fed along the way: 164

# Bags of cat treats distributed: 6 (plus bread, cheese, apples, carrots, etc)

# items lost: 3

# items jettisoned intentionally: 10

# non-food items purchased: 6

# items gifted to me from the albergue lost & found: 1

# items found & carried forward from the trail and left in public places to be claimed: 5

Charity:Water Campaign Totals, thus far:

# contributions, total: 17

# of our neighbors who will be given clean water for life: 78

That last section is the most important. Truly.  They’re not numbers – they’re real people, just like us. They’re our real neighbors. 

This particular campaign remains open through the month of September. I’d like to ask that you please send this link with your own explanation, if you’d like, to friends and family who may be interested. 

https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water

But the most sustainable way to help is to join charity:water as a member of The Spring to give regularly so they can plan with their local partners to help end this horrific crisis.

https://www.charitywater.org/donate/the-spring

Thank you, again! 💕