Day 15- Inner Camino

I walked by myself for most of the day until Mike from Washington caught up with me with about 6 miles to go. I had another physical challenge on the edge of cliffs, which I took on my own and opted out of the safer road option. The pictures below do not capture the challenge. Paths were hard to find and there were two sections where I had to climb on all fours around two ragged rock edges that were just raw rock and not shaped by man in any way. In one picture you can see them in the distance. Fear embedded itself in me but I struggled through it. That portion took an hour or so to complete. The rest of the time I was on my own in favorable enough conditions I could let my mind wander. This time it took me to what I call my inner Camino. My time on earth is a pilgrimage. The Camino is just one part of that pilgrimage. On my inner Camino, I started remembering the past, going as far back as I could remember- not with any purpose. I recalled memories as far back as when I was 4. I only scratched the surface of my memories- lots of them with my mom. I miss her. I recalled different phases of my life- some good, some not so good. For a time I was truly reckless. I look back and I know God was watching over me and protecting me from myself. For me, the Camino allows me time and opportunity to reflect in a way I just don’t do at home. I suspect if I turned off the stereo or put down the remote control, I could. For now I will take the Camino’s daily offerings and try to make the most of them. Hopefully it will make me a better person.