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.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
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.
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.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)