Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Beury Simon's Pilgrimage in Spain Journal



Good morning, I forgot to let you all know that Beury sends his thanks for all your prayers and support during his and Ken's pilgrimage.  I do as well - thank you.

Now, truly, over and out. 

Blessings, Ellee

October 2 -


Greetings loyal followers of Beury's and Ken's pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago. They made it!!  They arrived in Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday, September 26th in time for the legendary Pilgrims' Mass at the Cathedral de Santiago at 12 noon - four days ahead of their planned schedule.  There were more than 1000 pilgrims there!  The picture of the Cathedral in the guidebook is taken at night - so beautiful!  All lit up, it looks like gold!  It appears to be a round building with many turrets and ornately carved statues.  This is, after all, THE Cathedral honoring St. James the Apostle, a very important personage in the history (past and present) of Christendom.  The guidebook says "the swinging of the giant incense burner (those of you who have seen the movie "The Way" know how huge this is) was originally used to fumigate the sweaty - and possibly disease-ridden pilgrims - requires half a dozen attendants and is used during the Pilgrims' Mass."  There is a beatiful quote in the guidebook about the end of this long pilgrimage:  "Time is the journey from ignorance to Gnosis.  Time is imperfection longing to be good and progressively improving.  Time is the relative reaching towards the Absolute."   Beury said, "It hasn't sunk in yet, but WE'RE HERE!  I have a wonderful warm feeling of gratitude for the experience, the relationships, God's creation, and a feeling of being a part of something really big and wonderful and inclusive!"

So, on this part of the journey since Melide, they walked through rolling hills of trees and fields.  In the village of Eirexe there was a huge "horse event."  Many horse clubs came to town and there were races and a huge barbecue - a big Spanish fiesta!  It began to rain, rain, and rain.  They walked - in the rain - to Arzua through lovely green up and down hills.  Since the Camino is so crowded now, they have briefer connections with people.  But, they met a man from Malaga (on the Mediterranean coast where Ken, Beury, Ken's wife Pat, and I will spend a week) who has a store there and insisted we stop in and visit him - which I'm sure we will!  Because of the crowds of people, Beury and Ken have been focussing on the meditative part of the pilgrimage - which was easy when they were the only pilgrims on the path at 4:30 a.m.! - now there are a lot of people any time of the day and night!  They are working on the walking meditation of being aware of placing their feet on the ground, touching the earth, wrapping the feet around uneven places, feeling one with the earth, and taking responsibility for this. They are maintaining silence for the first hour of their walk each day.

In Galicia, the province of Santiago de Compostela, they have had rainy, cold, and miserable weather.  They continue to rise early and leave the albergue by 4:30 or 5:00 a.m., which is good because they can reach their destination for the day early enough to get a bed -- many pilgrims are drenched and weary and are turned away from albergues because "there's no room at the inn" 

When they left for the final walk into Santiago de Compostela, the view from a large cross on the mountain overlooking the city was "awesome".  They said that they "could feel the electricity in the air as pilgrims - including themselves -  began to grasp that the hardships of the journey were soon to end and they were indeed going to make it to Santiago."

They reconnected with their Irish friend Andrew at the Cathedral and got their "Pilgrims' Passports" stamped wth the final stamp. The guidebook has a picture of this stamp, and it is quite ornate - I'm looking forward to seeing it!  Then, they succumbed to temptation and went to a hotel with a private room, private bath, "big white towels, soap, shampoo, and a balcony overlooking a park."  Ken wrote " Lap of luxury."

The next day they took a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to Finisterre, through rugged mountains and along a rocky coast.  Finisterre is a fishing village and tourist town (think Camden or Boothbay Harbor).  They hiked up to a lighthouse on a huge promontory and then down to a beach where they swam in the chlly Atlantic Ocean- although Beury says the water wasn't as cold as it is in Maine.

Santiago has many beautiful and historical sights to see including the museum of the Cathedral, which has a collection of archaeological artifacts, architectural reconstructions since Roman times, and sacred art.  There is also a glorious modern museum on a hill above the city which shows the history of Galicia since it was a province of the Roman Empire, through the dark and middle ages, the times when the Moors were in command, all the way to the present.  Beury said it was totally amazing - they spent hours there.

Now, they are playing!  They are taking in all the sights of the city, enjoying good food, and staying at the hotel with "big white towels" until they take a train from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid on Thursday, October 4th where they will meet Pat and me the morning of Friday, October 5th. The four of us will take a train to Malaga, on the Mediterranean coast, where we'll be for a week right on the beach - the Costa del Sol area of Spain, then take a train back to Madrid for two days in that fabled city before we fly home on October 15th.

Buenos tardes, amigos. Thank you for your attention to my account of Beury's and Ken's pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago.  Over and out.

Blessings and love, Ellee 

September 23 -  

Greetings, Beury and Ken are in Melide - only 27 miles from Santiago de Compostela!!!  They had a long walk today in pouring rain.  When Beury called we didn't have much of a conversation because there were lots of noisy people around, he didn't want to stand outside the albergue and get more soaked, he "hid" in the laundry room, and we kept getting disconnected.  Oh well.

Since my last update, they've walked through a mountainous region and Tuesday walked down the last big mountain into the town of O'Cebreiro.  They are in the province of Galicia, which has Celtic origins (another example of the wide variety of ethnic groups in Spain!).  They had spectacular vistas on their way into the village of Samos from O'Cebreiro, walking mostly on country lanes and paths with lots of shade trees.  They met a man from Ireland, named Andrew, and have become the "three musketeers."  The three of them visited the Benedictine abbey of San Juan de Samos, one of the oldest monasteries in all the western world, with large grounds and cloisters.  That evening they attended the Vespers service there, which was sung by the monks; a special blessing for pilgrims was offered.

On to Sarria, population about 13,000, a town of Celtic origins which was a major medieval center for pilgrims.  There is an old quarter which includes a church with a mural of pilgrimage scenes and an ancient convent.  Sarria is now a bustling modern town with railroad and bus terminals.  It is a major starting point for pilgrims with limited time who walk only the last 100 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela; these last 100 km are the minimum required for a "certified" Camino pilgrimage (maybe I mentioned this earlier, but each pilgrim has a "pilgrim's passport" which gets stamped in towns, villages, churches, and albergues along the way - I can't wait to see Beury's!).  Because of so many pilgrims starting here, from Sarria on the Camino becomes much more crowded.

There is a ruined castle in Sarria which was destroyed in a 15th century uprising of the peasantry against the aristocracy.  There is also a country market which has existed since the 14th century - my mind boggles.

They next stopped at Morgade, having walked on a rough track including forging a small river on foot.  The country is rural, wet, and green - lots of cows and granite stepping stones above the flood level of the river on the path.  The next village is Portomarin, which has a cobblestone main street with stone colonnades along it and a 12th century Romanesque church which was painstakingly rebuilt from its original site which is submerged under a modern reservoir.  This made me pause and think how respectful the Spanish are of their history and their religious buiildings:  would we take such care? 

Beury and Andrew got separated from Ken on Thursday (the 20th); Ken missed the stop where they were supposed to meet and kept on going and going until he was plumb tuckered out.  When I got home from the Waldoboro Food Pantry about 5 p.m. there was a message from Beury on our answering machine saying they didn't know where Ken was and asking me to call to give him Ken's cell phone number (you'd think he might have written it down, but no) - he gave me Andrew's cell phone # to call.  Being concerned and not thinking about the time change I called in the middle of the night (Spain time).  Fortunately, Andrew answered and they got hold of Ken and reconnected the next day!  Then they took a day off for Ken to rest (he'd walked an extra 10 km!), recuperate from the trauma of being separated, and get medical attention to a nasty cut Beury had from his pen knife.

From Portomarin the terrain is varied, up and down hills, through woodlands, along a main road,

along a ridge, and across 6 river valleys to Melide, population 8,000.  As with so many of these towns and villages along the Camino, Melide has a medieval center with narrow winding streets with lots of little shops and restaurants.  The local food speciality is octopus - prepared many ways (I don't know if they've sampled this or not!).

On the way to Melide, they passed several interesting places, including the "Field of the Pilgrims," where medieval pilgrims gathered for the last leg of the journey into Santiago; a tiny 12th century church dedicated to Saint Julian; an impressive 14th century castle which survived the peasants' revolt against the aristocracy and still has four corner towers standing; and a well preserved palace which was the manor house of the local wealthy Ulloa family. 

Just before entering Melide, there is a large 14th century stone cross reputed to be the oldest cross in the province of Galicia; on one side of the cross is a carving of Christ crucified; the other side is carved with Christ resurrected.  Melide is where pilgrims traveling south from Oviedo join the main path of the Camino into Santiago, so the way gets even more crowded.

Beury and Ken anticipate being in Santiago on Wednesday!  They will spend some time there taking in all that the famous "end of the Camino" city has to offer.  Then they will continue to Finisterre (the westernmost promontory on the Atlantic Ocean, the "end of the world" for much of history).  They may walk to Finisterre, take the "pilgrims' bus", or walk part of the way and take the bus part of the way. 

Today is the 40th day of their pilgrimage!  They are just about on schedule - they planned 42 days to Santiago; it's amazing that all has gone so well!  They've met people from all over the world (Germany, Holland, Australia, Italy, the Canary Islands, Ireland, Slovenia, Israel, the UK - and of course Spain), seen amazing things, and had wonderful times. 

Beury will call on October 1st.  I'll plan to send an update then, which will be the last, as Pat and I fly to Madrid on the 4th.  Excitement rules!

Blessings to all, Ellee

September 12

Greetings, Beury and Ken are making progress across Spain! The heat has abated and they have walked many miles from Sahagun. (One of the amazing things for me to realize in following this pilgrimage/journey is to notice how prevalent and dominant monasteries and convents were, and still are, in Spain.  How great is their faith compared to our unchurched society! Churches, convents, and monasteries are still central to these towns and villages which date from Roman and medieval times. They are still active centers of community life).  Sahagun dates back to Roman times has much evidence of the Roman past.

From Sahagun they walked to Calzadilla dos Hermanillos. They are seeking smaller albergues since they are the "old folks" and find it difficult to be in albergues with 100+ people.  They continue to leave early to start their daily walk (think 4:30 a.m.).  They love the early morning - fields of stars, the moon, cool air, birds cheeping as the dawn comes, sunrises of pink and blue and gold.  (I am  glad Beury is experiencing this early morning joy - I have long been rising early enough to see the dawn, even in winter in the "frozen north" - and it is one of my greatest joys).  They are content to be the slowest pilgrims on the Way - not even a blister so far!  So much for good training ( a year's worth!), respect for older bodies, taking a Sabbath day's rest each week, and listening to good counsel of wise albergue ladies!

From this little village they walked on a 2000+ year old Roman road, built to last with excellent drainage below ground, large stone base, small stone pavement, and arced surface for runoff.  Our Maine roads cave in and have frost heaves every 2 or 3 years - here are Roman roads still in use after 2000+ years!  What is the lesson here?

Many have asked about the food they eat.  Well, when they get up, if there is a working coffee machine in the albergue, they make coffee (which is excellent!) and then walk for a few hours until they come upon an open cafe.  Breakfast is usually a conglomeration of eggs and potatoes plus bread and coffee.  The main meal, a "pilgrim's meal," served either at the albergue where they settle in around midday or at a cafe in the town, usually consists of thinly sliced pork or chicken, potatoes, a great salad (they say the salads are wonderful), and custard (flan) for dessert.  Fruit is abundant along the way - oranges,bananas, apples, and wonderful peaches.  Also cheese and bread. 

I apologize for being behind in updates, but it's too much to detail their progress from Sahagun to Astorga.  Suffice it to say they passed through the large city of Leon and several villages. They have left the flat meseta and are in rolling hills.  From Astorga they will climb into mountains, which Beury is looking forward to. They say the people seem poorer in this area. 

On Tuesday, September 11th, they arrived in Astorga, after walking 19 miles - the longest day's walk so far.  Astorga (population 12,000) is an ancient town, still enclosed in medieval walls.  It was a prominent Roman city where 4 major routes joined (and still do):  the pilgrimage route which Beury and Ken are walking, another pilgrimage road from Rome, a third pilgrimage road from Seville, and a crossroads of a major cattle drive route that herded cattle from all over Spain and Portugal (this is still a major cattle drive route). However, perhaps the most interesting thing about Astorga is that it is home to an interesting ethinic group, the Maragatos, who date back to the 7th century when they were isolated in this region during the Arab (Moor) invasions. They are still isolated in remote villages. Their diet is different than what Beury and Ken have experienced so far:  beef stews predominate with lots of beans. The Maragato Society says "We are trying to recuperate some of our traditions before it is too late.  By celebrating our traditional games and weddings in our way we hope to keep it alive."

From Astorga they have about 165 miles to Santiago de Compostela. They plan to arrive there by September 30th, take a day or two there since that is the culmination of the pilgrimage, the site of the basilica dedicated to St. James, and many additional historical and spiritually significant places.  Then they plan to take a pilgrims bus to Finisterre, on the coast, where St. James allegedly landed when he came from the Holy Land to Christianize Spain.  They will spend a day or two there, return to Santiago (walking or via bus depending on time), take a train to Madrid and meet Pat (Ken's wife) and me on October 5th!   

If you are interested in specific information about the villages/cities they passed through from Sahagun to Astorga, I suggest you Google Mansilla de las Mulas, Leon (a large city), and Villar de Mazarife, all of which have many beautiful and interesting cultural and historical places. I'm sorry I got behind.

Since I will be with my parents on Squirrel Island (sans computer) the next update will be around September 20th - 23rd. 

Thank you all for your interest. I just got a book from Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY,  titled "To the Field of Stars: A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela", by Kevin A. Codd.  I got this from reading the monastery's newsletter.  The monks read aloud during the noon meal and they are currently reading this book.  How awesome that they are reading this while Beury (an Associate of the monastery!) is walking the pilgrimage.  I started reading it today and highly recommend it.  You can order it from the Monk's Cell Book and Gift Shop (845) 384-6660, ext. 3004.  The bookshop is open Tues. 3 - 4:30 p.m. and Wed. - Sat. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Love and Blessings, Ellee




September 3, 2011
Greetings everyone, Beury called earlier today.  He and Ken continue to walk east along the Camino de Santiago.  Since my last update they have come from the large bustling city of Burgos (population about 200,000) and are now in a small village called Boadilla del Camino.  This is so small that it is not on my detailed map, but it is between the towns of Castrojeriz and Fromista, both of which you should be able to locate on your map.  When they reach Fromista, probably tomorrow, they will have 270 miles to go!
The climate and geography have changed dramatically!  They are walking along a long quite high plateau, the meseta.  Most of the pathway along the meseta is earthen track through wheat, barley, and oat fields. There are also fields of sunflowers!
The climate is no longer hot - it is about 40 degrees (fahrenheit) in the mornings with stiff winds.  Beury bought a fleece jacket and leggings and Ken says he puts on every layer available and looks so weird Beury doesn't want to be seen in public with him, which is not a problem since none of the other pilgrims start out as early as they do.  It warms up during the day to pleasant temperatures.
They are making good time on the meseta, since it is relatively flat and have been able to walk their planned 12 miles/day.  Today (Monday) is their second day in Boadilla del Camino; today is their Sabbath rest day.
Between Burgos and Boadilla, in addition to the fields of crops and sunflowers, they visited the Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales, which is being restored and has a beautiful museum of medieval fabrics. 
The first stop after Burgos was Hornillos del Camino (population 70 - see what I mean by small villages!).  As in so many of these villages, there is a beautiful medieval church.  The guidebook says it is little changed over the past centuries and is a good place to experience the "priceless peace that pervades this village'", to experience being-ness, especially after the bustle of Burgos. The albergue in Hornillos del Camino is the only one they have found lacking (Ken said it was squalor; I'm not sure exactly what that means; however, they survived).
 On the way to the next town, Castrojeriz, there are ruins of an ancient monastery associated with the Antonine Order founded in France in the 11th century.  This order's sacred symbol was the T-shaped cross known as the Tau - nineteenth letter of the Greek alphabet and symbolizing divine protection against evil and sickness.  This cross has increasingly been worn as the Pilgrim Cross. There is also an active convent (the Convento de Santa Clara), founded in the 14th century, where nuns make these crosses, and it wouldn't surprise me if Beury and Ken return with one!
As you come into Castrojeriz (population 600), there is a large castle standing sentinel over the town, most of which is now in ruins.  There is also a beautiful church with a lovely rose window and a statue of St. James decorated with scallop shells (the symbol of St. James as a pilgrim; remember, he was also a warrior who led the defeat of the Moors).  Castrojeriz was the site of much fighting in ancient Roman and Visigoth times and there are ancient Roman remains of town fortifications.
From Castrojeriz you climb back up onto the meseta onto earthen track and head toward Boadilla del Camino.  There are some modern picnic areas along the way.  This area is well irrigated with rivers and canals and has some ancient bridges, one with eleven arches over the river Pisuerga.  This is an agricultural area, with wheat, vegetables, and vineyards prominent.  Because there is not much forest or stone, the buildings in the villages are mostly adobe (similar to our southwest).  Some of the path along the rivers is shady.
 Boadilla del Camino is a town of about 200 people.  They are in a family-run albergue, En El Camino, located beside the 16th century village church.  Lodgings for pilgrims are in a  converted barn and also in the main house; meals are included and the proprietress is an artist who has decorated the walls with her paintings.  Beury said there is a beautifully landscaped garden and a small swimming pool - no wonder they decided to spend two days here!
 From here to Fromista the Camino is a peaceful tree lined farm track, mostly along a canal.
 My push pins are walking across Spain!  I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am!  Next update on or about Sunday, September 9th.
 Peace and blessings, Ellee

August 28, 2012
Greetings all, Beury called Monday the 27th from Belorado.  On your maps this is between Logrono and Burgos, two large towns.  They have walked through Viana, another medieval town where the medieval (15th century) architecture is largely still there.  Viana used to be a major pilgrimage stop.  Like many of the Camino towns, Viana has a beautiful old (13th century) church where the notorious Cesare Borgia's tomb is located.
 Next stop was Logrono, a modern university city (population 130,000), which is the capital of the provice of La Rioja, Spain's wine growing region. The lowlands of the province are fertile farmlands.  As early as the 11th century, the area was promoted by kings and noblemen as a means of exporting its famous wines throughout Europe, and importing stonemasons, artists, and artisans to build cathedrals and monasteries as part of the promotion of Christianity in Spain after the defeat of the Moors after the battle of Clavijo, located nearby.  This defeat, in legend, is attributed to the intervention of St. James; thus, the Camino grew dramatically during this time.  (When I read all this old medieval history, I realize how young the United States is, at least since European colonization and the American Revolution!).
On the way from Logrono, they stopped in Navarette, another small pilgrimage town where efforts have been made to preserve old buildings, especially those with old family crests over the doors.
 The next major stop was Santo Domingo de la Calzada (population 6,000), where they spent Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th.  Although it is still hot, Saturday was a cool day and they had rain on the trail.  Beury said his poncho worked excellently; however, the rich red soil turns to rich red mud and muck when it rains!  They spent the first night in Santo Domingo at an albergue operated by Cistercian nuns in the old quarter of the town; very peaceful, only 34 sleeping spaces (smaller than most), with a lovely shaded garden.  Sunday they spent at the Casa del Santom a large albergue (210 sleeping spaces!), which has been modernized.  A magazine about the pilgrimage to Santiago, El Peregrino, is published from this albergue.  The building has scallop shells, the symbol of the Camino pilgrimage, on its facade.
Santo Domingo is named after Saint Dominic of the Road, an 11th century man who dedicated his life work to improving the physical route for pilgrims, and built many roads and bridges which are still in use today, although they have been upgraded over the centuries. Santo Domingo has a beautiful 12th century cathedral, a museum, and a 14th century pilgrim hospital which has been converted to a luxury hotel.
 From Santo Domingo the route takes pilgrims into the region of Castilla y Leon, the largest autonomous region of Spain.  This region is mostly plateau, which makes up a third of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and is primarily flat with some rolling hills.  It is an agricultural region, mostly growing wheat and oats, but also home to sheep and goat grazing lands.  One can see mountains to the north, some snow capped.  The highest point on the Camino (4,937 feet) supports the Cruz de Ferro, a large iron cross.
So, Belorado, the first stop in this region, is a sleepy laid back "down at the heels" town, population 2,100.  It includes ancient cave dwellings in limestone cliffs and ruins of a castle of Roman origins.  There is also a Catholic hermitage and convent.  Beury and Ken stayed in a renovated albergue with a swimming pool.  They hope to reach Villafranca Montes de Oca today.  Once they leave Belorado, there are 342.4 miles to Santiago (the end of the pilgrimage).  So far they have walked almost 100 miles!
So, your travel guide is signing off.  The next update will be sometime after Sunday, September 2nd, when Beury will call me again. 
Love and blessings to you all,  Ellee

August 22, 2012
Greetings, Beury and Ken are moving right along on the pilgrimage walk.  On Sunday, they were in the town of Estella, Monday they were in a tiny village called Villamayor de Monjardin, and their goal was to reach Los Arcos Tuesday.  It has been VERY HOT (over 100 degrees each day), so they start walking about 5:00 a.m., in the dark, going more slowly and less distance than planned, and taking naps in the afternoons.  Beury said that when they start out in the early morning they are silent for the first hour and are walking with their head lamps on and it is like walking through a field of stars - totally beautiful!
 The guidebook says that the majority of the path to Estella (from Pamplona) is scenic on delightful natural paths through native oak and pine trees, vineyards and open country.  Estella is a medieval town with a population of about 15,000 and many wonderful historic buildings, churches, and museums.  You should be able to locate it on your maps.  When they were there there was a bicycle race going right through the town - fun to see.
 Villamayor de Monjardin is a tiny village where Beury and Ken stopped because of the heat. The guidebook says there are "splendid views of the surrounding countryside" and a 12th century church and ruins of a castle. They stayed at an albergue run by a Dutch ecumenical group which includes shared meals.  They met an Italian pilgrim who told them they "just had to go into a church and sing" - the acoustics in the church were so wonderful that the walls sang back to you.  They did and Beury said it was so beautiful that they both wept. 
 Los Arcos (population about 1,300) has Roman origins and was a walled city which included an old Jewish quarter accessed by a gate (no longer there) called the Gate of the Shells.  The path to Los Arcos is on remote farm tracks through farms, vineyards, and olive trees.  There is an ancient pilgrim hospiital along the way.
 A really cool thing you can do is Google "Camino de Santiago" and then the town name.  My friend Ellen did this on Sunday and there are many more pictures of Estella than in the guidebook plus more info; my sister-in-law Margie did the same yesterday for Los Arcos.  This gives you a specific idea of where they are.
 I've gotten two voice-mails and an e-mail (from one of the albergues) from Beury and actually talked with him on the phone Monday the 20th.  He says the path is "hard, rewarding, exciting, challenging, and full of little miracles."  They are going to keep going slowly in the heat "no matter what" and will take a bus if needed to catch up on the distance.
So far, they have not met any other Americans - mostly Italians, Spaniards, and Dutch.
 The next large town is Lograno; my guess is that they will reach there tomorrow or possibly today.  I'll keep you up to date - my push pins are marching steadily west across northern Spain!
 love to you all,  Ellee

August 16, 2012
Greetings everyone, Beury and Ken arrived safely in Madrid, took a bus and arrived in Pamplona this afternoon/early evening.  They got space in a hostel in Pamplona (the Spanish word for hostel is auberge, so that's the word I'll use from now on).  They are exhausted from long traveling plus the time difference (we are 6 hours earlier than Spain, meaning that when he called at 7:30 p.m. Spain time it was 1:30 p.m. Maine time).
 Pamplona is an ancient historic city.  The Camino guidebook describes it is a bustling modern city of about 200,000 population but still deeply involved in its long history and connections with the pilgrims of the Camino.  The city was founded in the first century B.C. by a Roman general named Pompaelo.  Ernest Hemingway spent time there and it is famous for its mid-July festival, called Encierro, where bulls run free down one of the ancient streets to the Plaza de Toros (plaza of the bulls).  According to the guidebook there are many beautiful churches - old and new- including several which offer accommodations for pilgrims on the Camino.  There are also interesting sounding museums, and plenty of places to shop and eat.
 The recommended route of the Camino on the map in the guidebook winds through the city past several of these points of interest, plus through two large parks and a university campus.  Since I couldn't decipher which auberge they are staying at I don't know exactly where they are on the route.
There is much to see and do in Pamplona,and they can also get any supplies they need. I think they will spend at least tomorrow (Friday) there.
 Although I didn't get to talk with Beury, it was wonderful to hear his voice and to know that he and Ken arrived safely and are beginning the first leg of their grand adventure.
 Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers and I'll keep you posted.
 love to all, Ellee







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