Gotcha Day for Corky

I am very happy to report that Gretchen is now the happy owner of a 5 year old Pomeranian mix. His name is Corky and he is absolutely adorable! He has a sweet personality. The connection between Gretchen and Corky was instantaneous.

We picked him up yesterday in Loxahatchee at The Big (& Little) Dog Ranch, which is an awesome rescue center. Corky was brought to the Ranch after his 82 year old owner had to be moved to  a nursing home.  We think Corky must have been treated well to be so affectionate.

I heard from Gretchen this morning and so far, things are going well, albeit with a lot more energy. Corky and Gretchen's cat, Lucy, seem to be getting along nicely.

Wonderful Birthday Adventure

For my 70th Birthday, yesterday, Gretchen surprised me by setting up a visit to Ocala, Florida to the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.  What an awesome place with some of the most beautiful, gentle, friendly horses I have ever had the pleasure to meet.  Their breed is a smaller version of the Shire or Clydesdale.  The two top pictures are of Gypsy King, a beautiful and gentle stallion.  His newest son (1 month old) is in the picture on the bottom right.  And the other picture is another stallion whose name I have forgotten.

This was such a fun trip.  I had never heard of these horses before and knew I was in for a treat the minute we turned into the entrance of this gorgeous stable and I saw one mare who looked almost like a pony with beautiful feathery fetlocks. 

The top left picture is Dennis Thompson, the owner of the stable.  He gave a wonderful talk on the history of this breed.  It was fascinating. 

I would strongly recommend visiting this stable if you are ever in the Ocala, Florida area.

https://www.facebook.com/GypsyGoldFarm/

The Right Decision Eases the Disappointment

We went to Gretchen's doctor this morning and the PA checked out Gretchen's wound. He was really a great guy. It was so nice to be able to speak the same language and know that we all understood what we needed to understand. 

It is indeed a serious infection. He took a culture and changed her medication. We are so relieved and finally feel like Gretchen is in the hands of someone who knows what he is doing.  She will go back in a week for him fo check on the progress. He will also have the culture results at that time.

So, although the decision to come home was a very hard one, we needed to be here, and we know that.  And, we are so grateful to have had five weeks of an adventure that would be hard to repeat.

Who knows what will happen next, but I suspect you have not heard the last of Fristers and Blisters.

Home, Safe and Sound

Just wanted to let you all know, we are home, safe and sound. It was a long day but, overall a smooth one, short of the fact that Gretchen's backpack is still in Madrid. Not sure what went on, but fortunately,  having it be lost on this side of the trip is easier to deal with.

By the time Keegan picked us up at the Orlando airport (Thanks so much Keegan), and we had reported the lost bag, it was very late, so we are opting for sleep tonight, and will see the doctor in the morning.

We are relieved to be home.

Watch the movie "The Way"

For those of you who have watched the movie, "The Way", there is a segment of the movie where the hikers end in an awesome hotel where special bathrobes, and other amenities are provided.  Where Gretchen and I are tonight, makes that place pale in comparison. I took this picture so you all could be assured, Gretchen is ok. Thanks to our wonderful travel agent/friend we are in Madrid in this marvelous place.

But...Madrid...that's not the Camino. The reality is, it would appear that God has another plan for what He would like Gretchen and I to accomplish on this pilgrimage.

It is with sad regret, that I inform you that Gretchen and I must return to the states. Her wound on her back continues to be a problem.  It is not healing properly and the doctor in Burgos said we needed to go back to the states so that she can get the appropriate treatment.  Traveling from one little village to another with unknown medical support is just not going to provide the  consistency of treatment that she needs.

We were blessed to be in Burgos where the voice of reason at hand made us realize we had to bite the bullet, and begin our trip home on Sunday.

We headed to Madrid by bus today after another visit to the doctors to assure everything was stabilized and we will fly back to the states on Monday.

Gretchen has been an amazing patient, and overall is feeling fine. But the wound must be cared for and the cause determined  and that needs to be done in the states.

We Are in Burgos Tonight

We are very tired tonight, but this is the view from our hotel room. Yes, not your regular albergue. 😉

Hiking Shoes/Boots Anyone?

So, standard operating procedures when you arrive at an albergue - after you check in, and get your credential stamped, you take off your hiking shoes and put them on a rack, (There are more shelves than shown in this picture) you put your walking sticks in a nearby bin. The shoes are beyond dusty and dirty with things on them you would do best not to think of. And...they might just be ever so slightly smelly, so not having these in the room you sleep in makes sense. Once shoes have been removed, you get a tour of where everything is... showers, WCs,  find outside clothes line for hand washing,  kitchen, given curfew rules, bed sheets- which you often pay for, and they are disposable , and then, your work begins.

This picture was from the night we stayed at the 217 person albergue. But I thought it might give you a little better understanding of an albergue.

Tonight we are in a small hostal in Villafranca. We like smaller places.

p.s.  Gretchen's and my shoes are on the far left shelf, third row down from the top, and, I think, 2nd and 3rd in...if you are curious. It's so dusty now, all shoes look about the same.