Ok gang we are here!  Eating dinner with Jessica and Todd.  Much to do this evening so need to keep this short.  Todd and I met because we were photographing each other, him on the. Ground and me shooting out the bus window.  A good start I would say!  Saint James is definitely afoot.  Phil.

Kelly and I checking out the ninety degree weather.  Buying bus tickets for tomorrow .  Off to get a taxi to the hotel.  So far so good.  Phil.

A little cross eyed at the moment but sitting at Gate C10 where a flight to Madrid will be leaving at 16:50 local time.  I don’t think we can screw this up.

God willing Kelly and I will be jetting off at 6:11 Seattle time for the big adventure.  Follow us, be with us as the Camino unfolds.  It has already been an amazing journey and we haven’t left yet.  How does that work?  Thanks for all your prayers and support.  St. James in Afoot, Phil.

Passport?  Check.  Boy Pack packed?  Check.  Got root canal?  Got it!  Off to get some sleep and put the finishing touches on it mañana.  All good,   Saint James is Afoot, Phil.

Treatment today and I am what is called a frequent flyer here.  Don’t know exactly what the benefits are but it is generally a good deal.  Ivette is here with me.  We met a great woman in the waiting room who had beautiful spirit.

I am working on my new Apple mini.   It is a challenge but I’m learning.  Will be fun to get the blog up and running in Spain.

In treatment we are right across from the nurse’s station and there is lots of action.  We’re back a few hours later and earlier I was trying to maybe describe the scene.  Thoroughly professional to start.  But after that all the nurses that I had worked with over the last three years stopped to check in.  That’s my excuse for not getting my blog post done anyway.  What a great bunch.  Sort of a party goin’ on.

OK, I running out of steam and have to check in with the  RCG (Root Canal Gal) in the AM.  What ever you’re  doing, keep it up.  SJA,  Phil (aka Lucky).

I never ran the high hurtles in high school but it seems I am getting my chance now.  OK, root canal, no problem.  That’s tomorrow though.  Today it is off to Swedish to see my beloved Oncologist and his team and then off to the last treatment.  Can’t do without my gallon of chemicals, well it seems like a gallon.

Fortunately, Ivette has been here to help me pack and she will be going with me today to the hospital.  It is so wonderful to be handed off so softly from one good soul to the next.  Really, I mean that.  She is off today though.

Had a hilarious time last night as one of the great Island artists, Will Forrester, who came over for an hour.  He is one of the most alive beings around.  This is one of the benefits of hanging out on Vashon being able to hang out with the talented locals.  Love you all!  Let’s keep each other INSPIRED!!  Phil.

Made coffee like a thousand times before and it wound up all over the counter.  Why is that?  Forgot to put the little basket in there.  Hmm.  Rebecca walks in and says,  “Human error?”  There is some lesson to be learned here but I can’t put my finger on it at the moment.

My list of things to do before leaving for Spain is barely doable and then things keep piling on such as this toothache that popped up over the weekend.  Off to dentist here in a moment.   Yup,  St. James walk with me, I’m struggling.

We’re back, no blisters, no bedbugs, all good!  Yesterday we did twelve miles and went to Mass and came back and slept out in a tent by the corn patch.  There were owls hooting and ravens trying to imitate them making weird noises keeping us awake.  After our walk we made Vigil Mass and we were given a Pilgrim’s Blessing by Father Marc.  I wept, which I have been doing a lot lately.  So, today another twelve miles and it seemed easier today than yesterday.  Lots of people stopped for hugs and encouragement.

I am just overwhelmed by the amount of love and support by so many people here and elsewhere.  This is the most amazing ad hoc gathering of good energy that I have ever had anything to do with.  I just want to thank friends and neighbors, the Swedish Hospital folks, my family and St. John Vianney Parish.  Annie tells me that there are people I am not even aware of that are making things happen.  Annie also tells me that we will have to list St. James in the credits of the new documentary.  Yup, it’s an awesome phenomenon.

OK, have to check out for now.  Keep in touch as I will be blogging as often as possible for the near future.  After a few days in Spain a new routine will develop.  Way too many details are swirling around now but focusing on getting on the plane on Thursday evening.  Love you guys, Phil.

We are off to do our second day of the big training weekend.  We did twelve miles yesterday and had a nice dinner and crashed.  Just checking out our gear and ourselves.  Another twelve today.  Up, up and away, Phil.