Makin' a case for makin' tracks

So, why The Camino? One would have to agree that traveling half way 'round the world to walk 500 miles in a strange land is a bit out of the ordinary.

As previously mentioned, My Camino started when I saw the movie "The Way", starring Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Esteves (who, by the way, directed the film also). I had just recently completed my six year quest to hike the Idaho Centennial Trail; a 935 mile journey through the wilderness areas of Idaho from Nevada to Canada. I had never done anything that challenging in my life, enjoyed the fact that I was in better physical conditioning at age 60 than at any other time in my life. I also enjoyed the support and accolades I received as a result of my being the first person ever to complete the western alternate route of the ICT and only the fifth person to complete the entire route (missed being number 3 by a matter of days, drat!). So what next?

My original intent then was to do The Camino for the adventure factor. Being a self-employed business man who worked very hard to support a loving wife and five great kids, both time and money were always at a premium. So, year after year, The Camino took a back seat to life. I talked to several in my inner circle about "some day" doing The Camino, but it wasn't until four years later that "life" changed dramatically.
My good friends Scott and Bev traveled to Spain (among other places) in the fall of 2014 and, while they were in the neighborhood, hiked The Camino with several of their friends. I was not in that group. I was immersed instead in work, looking slightly ahead to the adventures that Betty and I would share when I retired.

In early November of 2014 it appeared that time was nearing. We selected a Financial Adviser and turned over statements so that a retirement plan could be put together (better late than never?). The next day my life was shattered when a heart attack took my Betty away.
Shortly after that I was told I needed to buy a motorcycle, returning to my teen-roots, and experience life again. The summer of '16 and '17 found me riding to remember; remember the promises I had made to Betty that we would travel thoroughly. In the process of riding over 24,000 miles on a motorcycle I became aware of my need to move forward through life, paying my respects, honoring her memory and transitioning into the uncertainty of tomorrow. My Camino became a Farewell Tour.

A general time was selected that, with the passage of time became more specific. Eventually the focus fell on late spring, early summer of 2018. I had read "A Million Steps" by Kurt Koontz and attended a presentation by a gentleman who had done his camino on crutches after breaking his heal the week before he flew to Spain.
Everyone has a story and therefore everyone does The Camino for different reasons. Betty had been active in our church and belonged to the Rosary Makers group. She had made many rosaries, some of which she still possessed, added to a small collection of rosaries she had accumulated during her lifetime. My intention became to hike The Camino and pass out a number of rosaries along the route. By doing so I would be simultaneously transitioning to my "new normal" and spreading her spirit around the world through these rosaries. Thus I intended to prepare myself to face the future, as uncertain as it was at that time. My Camino had a purpose.

In September of 2017 I traveled to my home town in Wisconsin for my 50 year high school reunion. I did not realize at the time I planned the trip, but Betty's hand was stirring the pot. Through a series of small decisions I ended up reintroducing myself to Alicia, a friend I had first met in August of 1962, but had not seen in over 50 years. The pretty cheerleader and the adventure seeking Frog crossed paths and lit a flame in each other. After returning to our respective homes we began talking on video chat, had our first date and proposed on the same night and, on March 31st, 2018 became loving husband and wife in front of family, friends and a number of classmates!
My Camino has again changed focus. I am again transitioning. Now, in addition to transitioning from widowerdom to life in the adventure lane I am, simultaneously, leading my new bride, hand in hand, into our future adventures. My Camino has become one of realizing and planning. While I leave my lovely bride behind to pack her things in Chicago for the move to Boise, I will be exploring the possibilities that loom just beyond the horizon. My Camino is now one of endless possibilities, explored with new gusto, and shared with my wonder woman, Alicia Finnegan.