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Day 7, Part 2:  Before we part ways, one final dinner.  A time to reflect on all that the Camino brought into our lives....
10/21/2026

Day 7, Part 2: Before we part ways, one final dinner. A time to reflect on all that the Camino brought into our lives.

A time to raise a toast to each other - and ourselves - for what we accomplished. Over a table covered in the glorious colors and crunch of the autumn leaves that were under our feet all week. 

I mentioned in my last post that many of the ladies got Camino tattoos (11 of us!)

The majority of those tattoos included a directional component - and almost everyone selected an angle that pointed back to their own heart. An arrow, the direction of a sparrow flying - all pointing back home.

This was a week of adventuring and of listening and of connection. But ultimately - a path back to ourselves.

A million thank yous to our guide (and so much more) for the week Manni Coe of TOMA & COE - Your guidance, care & support are unmatched. Your friendship means so much to me. Thank you. 🫶🏼

A special thank you to the wildly talented Isabel Castro Freitas - Atelier Flores who was so kind to come all the way from Porto to make my fall tablescape dreams come true. You are such a gem - so thankful for you! 🍁

And once again a massive thank you to the one and only Katelyn Conn who so incredibly documented this week. I adore you!! 📷

Day 7, Part 1: Our final day. We woke up with anticipation in our hearts - knowing this would be the day we'd arrive in ...
10/20/2026

Day 7, Part 1: Our final day. We woke up with anticipation in our hearts - knowing this would be the day we'd arrive in Santiago de Compostela. I don't know about the other ladies, but I FELT Santiago as we walked this morning. Pulling us into her - the wind felt strong that day and like we were almost on a wave of air being ushered inside her walls.

We stopped to wash our hands in a stream of water as pilgrims traditionally did to prepare to enter the city. It started to feel real.

What was an otherwise quiet and peaceful journey became loud and full of people as we made our way up the hill into the city. A piper played in a tunnel as we turned a final corner into the square.

And then - there it was. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in all its glory. We fell into a mixture of silence and laughter and hugs and applause and tears and overwhelming joy.

We did it.

Together. Side by side. Helping each other through.

Bandaging each other up along the way - physically and emotionally.

And then ultimately relying on our own two feet to get us there. And they didn't let us down.

WE didn't let us down.

What a true honor to walk with each one of these people.
..Then, vast majority of the group celebrated with tattoos to mark this experience in their life. Several of which it was their first tattoo ever! That's how you know something truly special happened along The Way.

More than a feeling. Something we'll always struggle to put into words.

📷 Katelyn Conn

Day 6:  each day begins the same:- Breakfast at 8:00.- Refill water bottles at 8:45.- Load the bus at 9:00 to set off.- ...
10/18/2026

Day 6: each day begins the same:
- Breakfast at 8:00.
- Refill water bottles at 8:45.
- Load the bus at 9:00 to set off.
- Double-check that you have your hiking poles, your backpack, your water bottle, and your pilgrim's passport.

I'm still wrapping up these final few days of posts, but I'm writing this from a hotel room at 10:15 in the morning and already missing that routine.

The beauty of these days was that all we had to do was walk: just keep walking, look for the yellow arrows, and walk.

It will take a while for all of us to dig through what this journey meant to us, so I'll just leave it there for now.

Stay tuned for the next post, where we will arrive at our destination.

Thank you, as always, to our dear photographer for keeping our memories. Katelyn Conn

Day 5, Part 2:  After an afternoon of tears - it was time for our Monte do Gozo - or Mount of Joy in recognition of us d...
10/16/2026

Day 5, Part 2: After an afternoon of tears - it was time for our Monte do Gozo - or Mount of Joy in recognition of us drawing closer to Santiago.

The ladies were surprised with traditional Galician music and dancing - and even a Queimada - a traditional drink to ward off evil. The evening even included celebrating a dear one's birthday. 🤍

The perfect evening to add a little pep in our step for our last few days on The Way.

📷 Katelyn Conn

Day 5, Part 1:  Our journey began straight out the door of our retreat home this week.  The road stretching long before ...
10/16/2026

Day 5, Part 1: Our journey began straight out the door of our retreat home this week. The road stretching long before us, but intertw**ed among many small delights. Friendly faces - animal and human alike - coffee stops and a lunch to remember. After a long day's work we returned home to settle in for an eventful evening.

First, came the labyrinth. A place to walk in thought and contemplation and ultimately back to ourselves. It's a place where we leave something behind, here on the Camino. An unloading of our bag. Walking onward. An emotional evening for all - but certainly a meaningful one.

Next up... the joy that fills the void...
Stay tuned

📷 Katelyn Conn

Day 4: our journey towards Santiago de Compostela continues. Another morning calls. We stretch our sore limbs and carry ...
10/15/2026

Day 4: our journey towards Santiago de Compostela continues. Another morning calls. We stretch our sore limbs and carry on forward.

It's right around this time that it really sinks in that the destination isn't why we are here. It's the journey that is called to us.

Aching feet, but joy none the less - we find ourself filled with gratitude for our time within the Galician countryside.

A day that ended around the fire with mulled w**e and open hearts. 🤍

📷 Katelyn Conn

Day 3:  Onward on the Camino.  This day brought with it another 21km, a vast assortment of terrain (from acorn forests t...
10/14/2026

Day 3: Onward on the Camino. This day brought with it another 21km, a vast assortment of terrain (from acorn forests to bouldering up hill to 10th century monasteries). It was a tough day, but we are carrying one another forward. Step by step. Watching each woman encourage and embrace the other is the best view of all.

Katelyn Conn

Day 2, Part 2: We made it through our first day of walking! 22km down.  We made it to our home base for the next several...
10/13/2026

Day 2, Part 2: We made it through our first day of walking! 22km down. We made it to our home base for the next several nights to begin to settle in.

Our Pazo (a Galician manor house) is the perfect place to end each day. Our tired body's can rest, relax, and share in each other's company while refueling for the next day.

Today we were welcomed with cava and toasts all around!

📷 Katelyn Conn

Day 1, Part 1: We are doing it! Walking the Camino de Santiago is something that has called our group for a various numb...
10/13/2026

Day 1, Part 1: We are doing it! Walking the Camino de Santiago is something that has called our group for a various number of years. Some for 25 years - others didn't know what it was but felt the draw when this retreat launched. It's so cool to see the various reasons we all ended up here. Now - in the right timing for us for whatever reason.

We are traveling the Via de la Plata route that begins in southern Spain - however we are walking the last portion, and began our pilgrimage in Ourense.

Day 1 took us over a few ancient bridges, to beautiful viewpoints, and through stunning forest paths. It also brought its own challenges and hills along the way.

So honored to be walking beside this wonderful group.

The biggest thank you to Katelyn Conn who is photographing this week for us. This trip is HARD and she's shooting it (so beautifully) while being a pilgrim herself. Truly such a trooper.

Lead by our wonderful tour guide Manni Coe TOMA & COE

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8605 Hopewell Rd.
Cincinnati, OH
45242

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