One of the most beautiful things about the Camino is the unique and most amazing people that show up to inspire, entertain, comfort, and motivate an individual or a group of people who are attempting this amazing journey.  One of my favorite and most memorable people who fit this category are Lance and Karen, who became identified with Lance’s chosen attire, which was a Scottish sports Kilt he wore as his primary walking clothes.  It wasn’t one of those heavy wool kilts that we are used to seeing, it was a lightweight cotton sports Kilt that was perfect for this kind of journey. 

              Walking with Lance was literally walking with a magnet that drew people into our space.  Literally everyone wanted to take a picture with Lance in his Kilt, and it seemed that everyone would ask the famous question about what he was wearing under it.  A question to my knowledge he never answered.  In many ways it seemed our Camino Family circled around Lance and Karen as the hub of the wheel.  These are two of the friendliest people you will ever meet on such a journey.  People who would do anything for you if you asked or if you just needed help.  True to his Scottish heritage, Lance was always ready for a party or a toast at the end of each day.  He and Karen were literally friends with everyone they met and treated everyone as though they were the most important beings in that moment.  A rare quality indeed.

              As a couple Lance and Karen set a great example for everyone to follow.  Often you would see Karen circling back to check on Lance when he had chosen to walk alone for a while.  The two of them would provide an organizational sense of community where all would be welcome.  Karen would book Albergues for everyone who was in the group that day and needed help. I remember when I took a day off in Leon and they and others kept going.  I was a day behind and missing the group.  One of my adopted Camino kids Nara texted me and wanted me to catch up so we could see each other in Santiago before she left.  I increased my distances and walked two 35K days in a row and the morning of the second long day I stopped at Gonzar at 10 am for breakfast and Karen saw me and grabbed me with a great big enthusiastic bear hug that made me feel I was back.  They had just finished breakfast and were leaving; I stayed and ate.  I caught them again before we all arrived in Palas De Rei.  It felt great to be back with Lance and Karen and the rest of our group, who I hadn’t seen for about 10 days.

              These are the memorable moments of this wonderful journey that live within me and color my memories in so many wonderful ways.  Every journey is different, and everyone walks their own Camino, but the people we meet on the journey are what make it special.  Lance and Karen just being themselves certainly made my Camino a lot more fun and meaningful. 

Buen Camino,

Stephen Towles