This morning was still dark when I got up and not quite bouncing with energy but never the less got ready for a hike. My friend Monika went with me and we drove to the canyon  not the altitude top this time but to the bottom. Hair pin curves are a bit scary and the surrounding is breath taking between high canyon walls and lush, green, narrow valley. The Gunnison River is mandering through there and we even saw a fly fisher. A buck and doe crossed the street before us, not even worried, still chewing whatever they’d found. Rabbits and chipmunks. Only birds sang, otherwise it’s this velvety peace and stillness.

There was no hard breathing at the bottom. Nice change from the lung burning, air grasping hike on top. Next time, we’ll go 10 miles. I have to go farther than a few miles in readiness for the camino.

At home, the same old problem. What to eat? Running off to get fresh vegetables and then putting it together in a pleasing manner. How easy just a couple of eggs would’ve been. Or, a nasty burger and fries. Well. I did the veggies. Boiled my potatoes and added Italian Beans. Love those. (My subconscious waiting for the phone call and results from the Mayo clinic.) Also a side salad with pears chopped in.

Went to price hiking boots. Yikes. On Sale, they’re still $170.00 but did not buy those. They hurt my shins. (Shins are devices for finding furniture in the dark.) They did offer to stretch my boots, free service. Maybe that will make them better. Sure hope so.

Yesterday, middle of the night, I’d woken from another message send by a worried brain. It  seems that every time I am stressed, I dream that I have to move into a trailer. (Having lived in a couple of them, it’s not an insult to folks who still do.) This one was a double wide but still had dark paneling and I was trying to find cubbyholes where I could hide my few, inherited treasures. I had a sign outside the tiny yard which stated : Villas Miseras American Style.’ A phrase I’d coined after I was in Brazil, may years ago and saw their ‘Villas’ like bird’s nests, poorest of the poor, nestled atop this mountainous prime real estate.

I was stressing about the camino, again. How to book a multiple city flight, how to be able to afford this venture. Instead of staying in bed fretting, I got up and went on the camino forum, wrote a short request and then went back to bed. I had 2 answers in the morning. One, from a 72yr old lady, who has walked the camino six times and is going once again, in October. To her I posted questions this morning about what ‘things’ I would really need and what type of boots to buy. (The ones I got on ebay are hurtin my right foot.)

Later, my ‘girls’ came from Grand Junction and we all went to the Black Canyon to show them the Beauty. Took a hike. Carrie (15) great young lady, and I managed 5 miles in 90F and that was a bit rough so short a time after surgery. Altitude made my lung burn. We talked about the possibility of her coming along on the camino. Lifetime experience. I told her, before you get married, you go on that hike with your ‘prospective hubby’ because you will really get to know him, his quirks, etc. in those six weeks. When I showed her some clips of the camino on ‘you tube’ I got re-inspired, excited and totally committed no matter what. I am not going to listen to my own objections nor will I give in to my fears and doubts. I went by myself on a train when I was five, to the next town because I wanted to travel. I went to Nuernberg by myself, on the bus, with nothing but my doll in a shopping net, to visit my aunt. (Mother didn’t know and I was punished when I was brought home.) I went to Munich by myself when I was fifteen and to England when I was seventeen. I can do this!!

Had a good conversation with Adam who put me in touch with a friend of his, who lives in Leon and I could ask him more questions. Cameron called as well and we’re trying to figure out the length of time he could go.

Just got back from town and buying more stuff. Sports Authority, where I now own a corner. I was checking out back packs and this guy wanders over to help me. In the course of the conversation, after he tells me, what an awesome idea this is to walk the Camino and I told him why I’m going, he asks:” Do you know about the Gerson Therapy?’ I was speechless for a second. Not only that but in specific about the coffee enemas. My goodness. This is Montrose. Seems like there are a few enlightenend people here.

Bought the backpack but probably end up taking it back as it weighs twice (over 3 lbs) of what should be available, according to research. I need every ounce and every spare inch.

For some reason I woke at 1:50 A.M. and chaotic thoughts came marching through on hob-nail boots. I wondered if I could really do this Camino? This long stretch of unknown path. Doubts followed and I was wide awake. How will I eat my special ‘diet’? What if I can’t find anything that agrees with me? How will I ask for ‘Fixodent’ in Spanish? Wonder if my right foot will hold up as nearly 2 years ago, I couldn’t walk for seven months due to a severe case of ‘Plantar’s Fasciitis’. Is this a reasonable expectation…’at my age’? Although not a vacation but a purpose of health intervention, will it work? What if it doesn’t? What will I do for plan B? How will I get to where I need to start? What if I can’t get to a Hostel in time and won’t get a bed? Right now, in the blue hour of the morning, it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m looking at all the ‘stuff’ I purchased and wonder how I’ll get it into a back-pack. (I’ll have to practice this too.) Then, the conversation with Cameron where he can only accompany me for a little while… then, I’m on my own.

More shopping and crossing off list.

2 pr socks (75%wool) & extra shoe laces

camp towel (looks like a chamois)

Knee brace (just in case)

vacuum packed T-paper (8 rolls down to a few inches)

This is so much fun!