Day 27: Oceano- San Luis Obispo. 15.5 miles

Day 27: Oceano- San Luis Obispo. 15.5 miles.
Janice joined us and hung in there for the whole leg from Pismo to SLO for 12.5 miles. Thank you Janice for joining us, then treating us to dinner and a hotel room!

Yesterday we  took a shortcut across some fields. As we did, The little voice in my head said "there are no shortcuts." Our first Camino taught me this. I said it aloud to Gerald. He nodded. We walked on and arrived in Oceani around 1pm.

The first campground was full and catered to RVs. The second campground was full and no longer had hike/bike section. Due to problems with transients using drugs and alcohol and obviously behaving in ways that were a problem and made their drug use obvious, the state campgrounds in the Pismo area discontinued the hike and bike group section. We were directed a third campground that may or may not have a space and found a fourth campground using Google that was about a mile away.
We trodded around in circles, lost and trying to figure out where these other campgrounds were. A park ranger gave us a map and told us we could use a service road. As soon as we turned onto the service road, a state parks police/ranger zoomed up to us in what looked like an armored dune buggy. The officer was in full gear. He looked like he was ready for battle. I realized with the city's recent problem with transients, the officer may think we were problem vagrants. "Can I help you?" The officer said a bit gruffly.
We explained our situation. The officer changed his tone and became very helpful. He directed us to the same third campground that we were headed to. He asked a few questions about what we were doing and where we were headed to next. He let us continue walking on the service road and drove on. The stopped and pulled over almost as soon as he had left us. The officer got out of his armored dune buggy, still with pepper spray and whatever else all that stuff was he has strapped to his chest. "If you are going to walk to Atascadero, you'll have to cross Cuesta Grade. You don't want to go on the highway. That's too, dangerous. What you can do is take Stage Coach Road. There's a lot of trees and shade. It's also the real old stage coach road and much safer." We thanked him. He waved as he was already headed back into his supped-up police dune buggy and Vroom vroom he was gone.

I did not tell him that was the way Butch had already figured out for the guidebook. Ok so back to finding a place to sleep tonight.
The Coastal RV Park, that did not look like a campground, had a small pinned in corner that only a few tents could fit into for their group camp hike/bike. We told the county park employee what we were doing; walking the Californua Missions. I am not sure if she did not hear, did not understand, did not care or simply did not believe us. She smiled that 'that's nice honey' kind of smile and said "Thirteen dollars please."  I thanked her for still supporting a hike/bike section. "It's for one night only."  Gerald said "That's fine. That is all we need."  Oh well. At least we have a place to be.

Day 26: Santa Maria - Oceano. 17 miles.

Day 26: Santa Maria - Oceano. 17 miles.
We had cool weather all morning. We did not expect to encounter much service, but were well cared for. Breakfast at the Cowgirl Cafe and lunch at Palo Mesa Pizza. It was a lovely walk on back roads. We took a detour at Arroyo Grande off the steep hill with a narrow shoulder to a walk through the fields and by the RR tracks. We ended our day searching for a place to camp on a holiday weekend. We got the last camp spot in town. Tent is up. We have showered and done our laundry. It's all madness out there, so we will eat whatever snacks we have and go to bed. Then get up to do it all over again tomorrow.

Today we walked for long periods in silence. It was a contemplative day. Then we shared our thoughts with one another. Camino dreams and plans are powerful. They carry weight. Plans made on Camino come from the heart and soul, and are forged by the mind and body into action. Three years ago, at about this time of year, Gerald and I were on top of a mountain in Spain. In a tiny village with more buildings in ruin than were functional. A total population of 11. We met two other people connected to the vision of bringing pilgrimage to America through walking the California Missions. We decided in that moment that we would make a pilgrimage of the California Missions. And we are today, three years later doing it.

I don't know what shape or form our Camino dreams will take. I don't know when they will be realized. I do know that Camino dreams and plans are down in good soil. And from this good soil good things will grow.

Day 24: Lompoc- Harris Grade. 6 miles.

Yesterday we arrived and visited Mission La Purisma. This mission feels like how I imagine a mission would really be. Missions were centers of industry. This mission is completely run by the state. Not the Catholic Church. Mission La Purisma offered us more charity and respect for what we are doing than any Diocese connected church has so,far. 
We  are most appreciative of the met charitable people we met.  Thank you Ann Boggess for taking the time to help us work out routes. Thank you Rosewitha for buying us replacement Credenciales. Then,si cr God knew it was our 15 year wedding anniversary the gifts continued. My mother-in-law, Janice Jones for joined us and paid for a hotel room for us. Then we reconnected with old friends, Tony Kozumplik who prepared us a BBQ dinner and offered us lodging for the following night. Visited Jen Wrink, another old friend who poured  me a generous glass of Pinot noir. We chatted and caught up with one another. An all around blessed Wedding Anniversary! 

The next day we commenced on our pilgrimage. Janice was with us for the day. She had planned to walk 6 miles with us. We planned a route the night before with the help of new friends. As soon as we started our route was foiled by road construction. We had to walk 2.25 miles around the road construction. Apparently you can go around "it".  We headed back up Harris Grade. We reached the six mile mark and called an Uber. After a few cancels, someone finally agreed to come get us. Gerald and Iboth began feeling ill. We choose to Uber back as well. Besides everyone had told us not to walk Harris Grade as it was, too dangerous.  Between road construction, warnings, not being able to walk too, far with a guest walker, and now feeling ill; I took it all as sign that it was not meant for us to walk this section. 

We returned to Lompoc. Another Barbecue was planned as a going away party for a new mutual friend of our host. I observed that our celebration with friends coincided with the Feast day of Juniperra Serra. Without planning or trying, we indeed had a feast on the Feast of the Patron Saint of this pilgrimage.  

Pilgrimage is about transformation. My pilgrimage of the missions is transforming into a pilgrimage of friends- new, old and rekindled. I knew I was called to walk. I knew God had a message for me. I knew Pilgrimage would make the space and time in my life to hear the messages. I have received many messages. I have heeded them. I am still listening. Walking. Learning. 

On Day 23 we had breakfast at Ellen's Pancake house. I received two messages there. The first was from our very chipper waitress. I complimented her on her cheeriness. She replied "Life is too, short. Be happy. Make others happy. If you can't do that, then I feel sorry for you. Just smile and help others smile." Great advice. 
The second message started here but was received on the walk. I picked up the local paper. I read an article aloud to Gerald about how Tourists teach us patience.  Today when Gerald's mother joined us for the walk, it reminded me of how annoyed I was by the tourist walkers who picked up the trail in Burgos. We had been walking for weeks. We had worked through s series of physical ailments and emotional breaks. Now here these people were, haunting around taking pictures of every flower, sporting pinwheels on their daypacks, and using mochilla services and car escorts. They tested my patience and I had to force myself to not judge them for their whimsy. Camino is serious, right?!

Well, here was my mother in law being a tourist on our Camino. She was giggly. Talking loudly on her phone playing games on her phone. Taking picture of every flower. I had to keep reminding her not walk out in the street. I recognized the lesson immediately: Tourists teach us patience. 

She was so excited to be with us. So happy. We were in the determined mind set of silent walking. I struck up conversation occasionally. I knew she was in a totally different place than us. And that is okay. But it is hard to have patience with people in s different place than us. 

After the six mile walk,she wanted to go sightseeing. I really wanted to accompany her. But my body said no. We returned to our host's home and slept all afternoon. In the evening the feast started. I wanted to visit and go places. But my body said no. I was content to sit and let festivities unfold around me.  It was a blessed feast day.

A new friend,  Tom offered to give us a ride around the grade in the morning. We accepted and we are going to pick up the trail in Orcutt.

Day 23: Buellton - La Purisma Mission. 15.75

Today we walked from Buellton to La Purisma De Concepcion Mission. It is also our 15 year wedding anniversary. Today we were blessed with gifts. Ann Boggess at the Mission gave us the gift of her expertise and time. She served as local ambassador to provide insider information on alternative routes out of Lompoc.
Rosewitha in the gift shop, gifted us new credentiales and the gift of her time. Tony Kozumplik and Jen Weink gave the gifts of their time, company, food, and homes. Janice Jones gifted us with her company, the gift of transportation of her car, and a hotel room. We have been abundantly blessed today.
Blessed Be. Amen.

Day 22: Circle Bar B Guest Ranch Refugio Road- Solvang- Buellton. 16.1 miles

Refugio Road was a hard steep climb. The views were worth every bit of the aches and pains.
Santa Ynez was scorching hot. I ran out of water near the end of Refugio road. Luckily, we were right in front of a winery. We found rest, water, and wine at Kaylra Winery.

Keeping it short today. Very tired. We made it to another mission.  Mission Santa Ines.

Day 21: Goleta - Circle Bar B Guest Ranch. 14.5

Day 21: Goleta-Circle Bar B Guest Ranch. 14.5 miles

We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We can't go around it. We'll have to go through it."

I was not looking forward to 7+ mile stretch on Highway 101. I checked the maps knowing I would not find an alternate path. I knew the only way was through. I would need a full tank of will power. 

 In the book Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, the author talks about will power. From the research shared, I learned that a possible theory regarding will power is that it's like a muscle that we develop. Will power also is finite. We use it up like a resource and then it needs time to rebuild. 

The guidebook had this 7 mile stretch of highway at the end of the day. I knew I would be too, tired to do it. The asphalt would be baking hot and the sun high in the sky. Not to mention being emotionally spent to deal with all the cars and potential hazards of highway walking. 

I decided this stretch was best completed first thing in the morning. The will power is full. The asphalt and temperatures are cool. The sun is hidden behind the inversion layer. The body and mind are fresh for the challenge.  I guess you could say, I walked smarter not harder. 

This strategy worked. We both met the challenge of the long highway walking with a determined resolve.  We did not just pilgrim. It felt like we soldiered through it. We kept up a swift and alert pace. We did not stop for breaks. We just got through this section as safely and quickly as we could. It took us just under three hours to walk the 7.5 miles of highway 101. 

I guess the lesson here is to know thyself. Know what you can do and know how your body works for optimum results. 

If I had tried to just follow the guidebook I would have been miserable. I would have increased my risk of injury. I would not be being true to myself, my needs, my abilities. It's a very difficult thing to know thyself. Just another benefit of pilgrimage: time to know thyself. 

Day 20: Santa Barbara-Mission-Goleta. 16 miles

Day 20: Santa Barbara IH- Mission- Goleta. 16 miles. 

When we started this trek 20 days ago homeless people asked us for money.  Now they ask us things like "Where you packing to?"  "Where ya in from?" We were use to general people seeing the packs and not understanding our pilgrimage. But now, homeless people were seeing us as one of them. I guess we are not so shiny anymore. 

In Santa Barbara I noticed little gifts being left for people less fortunate. I did not take pictures of any of them. I have a habit of observing little nuances like these to learn about a community. No doubt my anthropological training. 

In the Montecito area there was tartan printed fleece blanket neatly folded with a handwritten 3 x 5 card laying on top with a now shriveled flower weighing down the note. I stopped to read the card. "Please call Arn for work" and a number was provided. I put the nite back and replaced the flower paperweight. 

In the ritzy Old Coast Village I saw no such gestures. On the other side of it though, there was a paperback book Borkmann's Point with two cigarettes placed atop the book, which sat atop a coin-op newsstand. 

On the Northend of Santa Barbara I saw at least a dozen individual wrapped sandwiches set out in a raised flower bed under a tree. I thought about taking one, which made me think two things 1) It is literally time to get this girl a sandwich, if I am considering strange roadside sandwiches. 2) Yep. I am not that shiny anymore. 

As we got to the North end of Santa Barbara, on Hollister avenue, we were suddenly walking in a small gaggle of homeless people emerging from their secret night places. An older gentleman of the outdoor lifestyle asked "Hey, you guys just passing through, or, huh?" We told him, 'yeah, just passing through.' 

Gerald listened to him talk about he has been healthier in these last few years since he has lived outdoors. He said he used to get sick every year when he lived indoors. Now, he does not get sick anymore and feels much better. After a time the conversation waned and we resumed our hikers pace. 

One last interaction tested our humbleness. We were approaching some kind of city building with a wide green tree shaded lawn. Persons of the outdoor lifestyle gathered, resting in the shade. It was nearing lunchtime. A man walked out of the building with a handful of voter registration cards. He waved them at us and said "Hello." We returned the greeting and kept walking. 

The man continued walking in a trajectory that would intercept us. 

We slowed and accepted he wanted to speak with us. "You just passing through?" "Yeah. We are hiking the California Missions." "Huh, uh. Well we have program here for people without homes. In a little while we are gonna serve a nice lunch. You are welcome to join us." " oh no. Thank you though." "Well it's free and we are here everyday. Like I said for people without homes." I struggled. I wanted to say 'We have a home. We are not homeless.' But that seemed the wrong response. I stammered we both kind of did. We thanked him and moved on. 

We talked about how difficult it is to be humble and not let ego get in the way. I immediately wished I had thanked the guy for his amazing outreach. I missed that opportunity to thank this man for his work in the moment because my ego was interrupting saying 'I have a house.'

People like this man, are few and far between. The work he is doing is needed, valuable, and not easy to do. 

Lesson: the ego needs endless taming to be the humble person I want to be that takes the time to value others.