When Dreams Collide

Today I am in Zamora, a city with a cathedral, a castle, and more than 20 Romanesque churches — right up my alley.

And yet part of me is very sad, because as it turns out, this is my last day on the Via de la Plata.

What????

Really, it´s a good thing. It´s a case of an embarrassment of riches. Before I left, I was playing with some financial stuff –the details don´t matter– and a week or so ago I discovered they paid off. And now I have enough money to buy an etching press.

So here´s the thing. I´ve saved money and vacation time, bit by bit, for 5 years to do this walk, ever since I returned from the Camino Frances.

And ever since I returned from the Camino Frances, I´ve been in love with printmaking, and have dreamed of having a press of my own.

Two dreams, both available at the same time. But I can´t afford both.

Well, I figure the Via de la Plata has lasted some thousand years, and will be here a few more. I will miss the walking, and my new pilgrim friends, and the potential adventures. Give me five years, and maybe I´ll be back to finish.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for some amazing new artwork. Etchings! Monotypes! Solar plates! More block prints! It´s a journey of a different sort.

Thank you all for your encouragement and good wishes. You´ve helped speed me on my way, and I´ve appreciated it. I´ll be posting lots of photos and stories when I get home.

See you in Calfornia on Sunday.