Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage

these shots will just never get old to me...

last week a sun shiny day walking to the Cathedral... YES PLEASE.

(and with some of you in past years... we had RAAIINNNYY walks to the Cathedral, didn't we. VICTORY, never the less)

I see these shots and they encompass all the miles, all the conversations, all the tears, all the accumulated friendship that led up to them.

It's not an exaggeration to say that I watch lives change - in real time - on The Way. It's WILD to observe. It's FASCINATING. People are BEAUTIFUL and they really do come here to do REAL things. How lucky am I?

And tomorrow... 6 women... most previous Peaceful Heart Pilgrims... will meet me for 175 miles on the Camino Portuguese. What in the world will happen out there?! We'll find out! and in 2 weeks I'll be back in front of that Cathedral again. Lives changed... including my own.

My love to you all - past, present, future Peaceful Heart Pilgrims, and friends. It's an absolute joy and honor to share this Adventure with you. I have the best job in the world.

-Michelle

June, July, August... SEPTEMBER!

One of my favorite posts to write every year! 🙏🌳💖🥳

We are juuuuuuuussttt getting started with our September 2026 Camino de Santiago pre-trip preparations. Travel planning, physical training, what to pack, soooo many other tiny details. You may not be able to walk today, but by September... you'll be ready!

Camino Frances, final 100km
Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
1 week, ~70 miles
September 5 - 11

Camino Primitivo, the Original Way
Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela
2 weeks, ~200 miles
September 16 - 30

Please enjoy this random selection of old photos... so many faces that bring me joy. Strangers turned Pilgrim Family and dear, dear friends!

sometimes pilgrimage reveals what we wouldn’t expect to see, and sometimes pilgrimage takes us back to what we know deep in our bones.

I encountered a serow on the trail this past week. I’ve never seen one myself before, but have heard the lore that they bring good luck to those they show themselves to. I will remember that encounter for years to come… if not decades.

and now I’m tucked away in tiny coastal town for a few days of rest. pilgrimage also looks like accidentally reading 100 pages of fiction from the only English book at the local cafe. and a 2 hour bath listening to 2004 Arcade Fire.

Adventure can come in many forms, friends. may you feel Known and Loved as you find your next.

Michelle 🌸🌳⛩️📚🐐

“3600 peaks of Kumano”… what a view. what a gift. happy girl. ⛰️🙏🏼🌳🌸⛩️💕