Natalie Ticker, Tina Olsen, Linda Valette and Nancy Venetz, four adventurous Old Forge women, are leaving for Spain on October 16, to walk the Camino de Santiago, better known as, The Way.
Each of the women said they were inspired to walk the world famous spiritual path after seeing the movie, “The Way.”
The movie, starring Martin Sheen, was shown at the Strand Theatre shortly before Rev. Lawrence Bartel, Pastor of Niccolls Memorial Church, embarked on his spiritual journey across The Way during the spring of 2012.
“I remember turning around to Tina, who was sitting behind me at the movie, and saying, ‘That’s on my bucket list,’ “ Valette said.
Later that same day, Tickner, 79, called Olsen and said, “I want to do it,” which is not surprising since Olsen, 67, and Tickner have taken many adventurous journeys together, including their trek through the Himalayas last October.
Nancy Venetz, 56, jumped on board as the fourth member of their party when a relative of Tickner’s was unable to make the trip.
The women will fly to Madrid, Spain on October 16, then take a bus to Ponferrada, the beginning point of their journey. Before starting out, they plan to take a taxi to the Cruz de Ferro, the Iron Cross, where countless pilgrims have left stones that represent their worries or intentions. Continue reading →