Our family of 6 walked the Camino de Santiago in 2023, and my husband and I returned with our girls in 2025. I’m painting the journey—one memory at a time—and I hope you’ll follow along as I prepare for an art show in fall 2026.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a pilgrim as a person who makes a journey, often a long and difficult one, to a special place for religious reasons.
From May 30 to July 4, 2023, my husband and I, along with our four children, walked from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain—and then on to the end of the earth, Cabo de Finisterre.
We made this pilgrimage to celebrate 25 years of marriage.
1,295,000 steps to Finisterre
9,131 days to 25 years
Along the way, I learned lessons of:
Gratitude
Trust
Vulnerability
Grit
Hope
Joy
Love
Friendship
Humor
and Patience
I learned that you can go really far if you focus on the possibility rather than the problem. You will get there if you just keep going—the only way possible—one step at a time.
I also learned that it is the little moments along the way that make the journey special. Because of this, I try to pause and appreciate the beauty and significance that are right in front of me.
8″x10″These girls are so strong, and so sweet. I loved that they were hiking holding hands on the amount Massive Trail. However, if I were to be completely honest, I painted this because their shadows look like little yetis, and the shape delighted me.
10″x8″ pastel on sanded paper”The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” -John Buchan
10″x8″ pastel on sanded paperPlein air of fly fishing in turquoise lake. Beautiful day! My cast iron skillet awaits.
paintandsimple 