This Is the Day . . . .

                         The Scallop Shell Today

The modern pilgrim embarking on The Way can see the scallop shell at every turn, guiding them on milestone markers and providing a reassuring point in the right direction. 

Many pilgrims wear the shell, either around their neck or attached to their backpack, making it easy to spot fellow Jacquets on the Camino.


You can pick up countless souvenirs and mementos emblazoned with the shell, which make a great talking point to those who’ve been or want to go. 

You’ll also notice that churches along the Camino and churches named St James around the world will proudly display this ancient icon as a testament to their connection with the saint.

Learn more at https://www.followthecamino.com/blog/scallop-shell-camino-de-santiago/


A significant symbol of this June day indeed, as this is the day our Annie and her young cousin Justine set off for "the time of their lives," walking the Portuguese segment of the Camino de Santiago. 

As I type, Justine takes off from Sea-Tac Airport, bound for Dallas and then London's Heathrow Airport to catch a flight to Lisbon and then a train ride to Porto. 

In the meantime, another couple, which includes Annie's Sandpoint High classmate Laurel head off to Frankfort with their final destination being Porto. 

This evening Annie and her friend Rachel will leave Seattle, bound for London where they'll meet Justine and Maurice, Annie's Camino friend from Philadelphia.  

I don't know Irish John's schedule, but eventually, all will gather in Porto to take in a religious festival before embarking on their ten-day walk along the Portuguese coastline and eventually to Santiago de Compostela near Spain's west coast. 

This is Annie's second Camino pilgrimage.  She had an extensive following of admirers during her first experience which took her 500 miles by foot aka often flipflops from France, across northern Spain and into Santiago. 

This time, she has chosen to share the trip with friends and one family member.  So, I'm guessing her followers who take in the trip vicariously through her blog at https://adventuregirlannie.com/ will multiply significantly.   

This morning, while looking at my mother's picture, as I do daily, I teared up a bit thinking about how proud and excited "Grandma," always open to adventure, would be to know that both her granddaughter and great-granddaughter are sharing this profound experience. 

Pretty cool, to say the least.  

We wish Annie, Justine and the rest of the gang all safe travels  and, of course, we look forward to their photographic and written dispatches as the upcoming days of adventure roll by. 

The Camino, I'm told, provides serves as a sanctuary of sorts, where walkers can escape the woes of the outside world, test their grit and determination, feed their individual souls and embrace priceless bits of culture from around the world as they meet other pilgrims along the way.

Tis a spirit which should transcend every aspect of our society, especially here in the United States, especially right now. 

A person's dignity does not depend on them being a citizen, a migrant or a refugee. Saving the life of someone fleeing war and poverty is an act of humanity.  

                                ---Pope Francis, June 20, 2018

Enjoy the photos, taken around the area yesterday.  Those pretty roses are thriving in pots outside the Samuels Store, and that Sweet William, just below has survived two transplantings, one from the Great Northern place. 

Gotta keep my Sweet Williams, both human and floral. 

Happy Wednesday.