6 months have passed, and I have been in southern California in the San Bernadino mountains and Inland Empire, making money and working as a travel nurse at a community hospital. I ran America’s toughest road marathon in April, which was a wonderful experience that I legitimately enjoyed (until maybe mile 21-22.)
Martijn and I met in Ages, Spain a year ago (June 25th.) We spent this time evaluating whether this was a “this is it!” relationship, or a happy and positive short-term connection instead. We just can’t shake it though–we’re in love. I have never met a man like this in my life, who I felt so optimally suited to. So, I’m packing my things to moving to the Netherlands. A year ago I had never been to Europe.
Emigrating is a million little and big details to contend with, and a million big and little uncertainties to carry. Through it though I see this kind man with his incredible family waiting for me on the other side, and I am just so glad life unfolded this way. And that I was given the opportunity to connect with Martijn and spend my focus and energy learning how to be together and love each other.
I’ll travel to Holland, spend two weeks with Martijn, and then attempt another thru-hike, the crest of the Pyrenees range, known as the Haute Route Pyrenees (HRP). This is a 500-mile route, on- and off-trail, designed by a French mountaineer that stays as true to the crest of the range as possible. It roughly parallels the Camino de Santiago which my dad and I hiked last year, but stays in the mountains. The route crosses the Camino once, at Roncesvalles. It runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
When we were on the Camino last year, I looked longingly up at the snow-capped peaks as we hiked through the pretty villages below. For 1200 years, millions of people have roughly followed this path, on pilgrimage. And I wonder what secrets hide up high-what monastics chose the route-less-followed, what caves they chose as refuge, what wonders they saw, what connections they experienced, what feelings they felt. So, for five or six weeks I’ll go up and have a look around, sleep in the high places, visit the little animals, let my spirit soar and rest. I’ll keep a daily blog again through this time, for those that are interested.
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