“We don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking.” Finis Mitchell
When I was getting ready to retire this year I decided to do a solo Camino as a way to transition into a new phase of life. When I looked up the Spanish word for 'retirement' -- 'jubilacion' I knew I made the right decision. The english word jubilation is defined as 'a feeling of great happiness and triumph'. What a great way to approach retirement.
After college I worked for 20 years in Industrial Forestry, followed by 10 years in Environmental Management and 10 years in IT Program Management. As happens in a career, things change a little at a time until you are in a completely different profession. I started out working outside 30+ hours a week and ended up sitting behind two computer monitors at home during a pandemic.
However, I never stopped being a Forester. As kids came, the family vacationed in most of the National Parks. I also enjoyed passing my love of nature on as Boy Scout leader for 25 years.
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| 1979 - West Virginia |
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| 2022 - Covid working from home |
There is a tradition on the Camino Primativo. When sharing communal dinners in the evening with fellow pilgrims in the hostels, you are asked to describe your pilgrimage in one word. I have mine -- 'Jubilacion!'.
Note: Today I was filling out some Spanish travel papers and for 'occupation' I was able to select 'jubilado' as my occupation. 😀
Next stop Spain....
