My Upcoming Daring Adventure

My Upcoming Daring Adventure

“Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.” — Helen Keller

In less than two weeks, my husband and I will begin a journey that feels both exhilarating and humbling: walking nearly 200 miles along the Portuguese Coastal Camino de Santiago in just 15 days.

This journey didn’t begin with a plane ticket—it started months ago with small, intentional steps. Last summer, we committed to training, walking 3 to 5 miles several times a week. There was even one ambitious 11-mile day that left us completely exhausted—but also proud.

Then life happened.

In January, I experienced a significant foot injury—completely unrelated to training—that sidelined me for two full months. Suddenly, this dream felt uncertain. With airline tickets booked and time ticking down, we faced a difficult question: Would I even be able to go?

We set a “decision day.” If I couldn’t walk at least three miles without pain, we would postpone the journey.

That day came… and I walked the three miles—pain free.

It wasn’t perfect after that. Recovery has had its ups and downs, with hard days and necessary rest. But as the journey draws closer, so does my confidence.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the silent voice at the end of the day that says, ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher

I’m learning an important mindset: I can only do what I can do.

And that’s enough.

We are not setting strict daily mileage goals. We are releasing expectations. Instead, we are choosing to embrace this pilgrimage as it unfolds—step by step—trusting that God will guide the journey exactly as it is meant to be.

I’ll be honest—I am a contemplator… which is a nice way of saying I can be a worrier.

I think things through. I plan. I imagine how things should go—and yes, sometimes what could go wrong.

As a person who is blind, this tendency can feel amplified. There are additional unknowns to consider—things that many people never even have to think about. It’s easy to spend energy worrying about scenarios that never actually happen.

So I am challenging myself—and maybe you, too:

Prepare well.
Then let go.
And go do the thing.

Because more often than not, things do work out. And when they don’t? There’s always a lesson… or at least a good story to tell later.

Another powerful lesson I’m embracing is interdependence.

While I hope to walk “alone” at times using my white cane, I know I cannot do this journey without support—especially from my husband. There will be moments when I use a tether to follow him, times when I rely on sighted guide, and perhaps even opportunities to connect with others along the Camino who will walk alongside me.

There is strength—not weakness—in allowing others to support us.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Winnie the Pooh

I know this journey will challenge me—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There will be long days. Moments of doubt. Times when I will need to dig deep, pray harder, and remind myself why I started.

Each day, I’ll carry a devotional with me—anchored in faith and reflection. One verse I know I’ll return to again and again is:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13

And yes… I may also need to remind myself that this was, in fact, a good idea. 😊

What I’m most excited about, though, is experiencing this journey through all of my senses.

I want to feel the sea breeze against my skin, smell the flowers along the way, listen to the birds singing, notice the changing terrain beneath my feet, taste the rich coffee, the local wine, and the incredible food. I want to engage in meaningful conversations.
And embrace the quiet moments—to listen deeply to my own heart and to the heart of God.

A truly scentsational experience.

Many of these themes—courage, reflection, and taking meaningful action—are explored in my book,
Treading the Waters of Life: A Guide to Self-Reflection and Action.

You can access it for free on my website or for 99 cents on Kindle. And for my Spanish-speaking readers… stay tuned—the Spanish version is coming very soon!

I would love for you to follow along on this Camino journey. I’ll be sharing moments, reflections, and experiences on Instagram and Facebook as I’m able.

This is more than a walk.
It’s a step into faith, courage, and possibility.

And I can’t wait to see where it leads.

#CaminoDeSantiago
#PortugueseCamino
#DaringAdventure
#FaithJourneye
#BlindTravel
#TreadingTheWatersOfLife