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[Arn]

Hi, I originally joined the Forum in 2007 and walked from St Jean to SDC in May 2008. Between 2008 and 2014, I walked the Caminho Portuguese, Ingles and the Camino Frances from Burgos and Sarria. For several years I was honored to be a moderator on the Forum. Due to combat related issues, over the past two years I've spent the majority of my time rebuilding my life and life-style. Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome back Arn.

 

[henrythedog]

Moderators with combat experience, excellent.

You should have been here last week

 

[SabsP]

Welcome back @Arn !

 

[C clearly]

Glad you have returned!

 

[Stroller]

You've been missed

 

[peregrina2000]

Very glad to see you back on the forum, Arn!

 

[Canada Wanders]

Hi, I originally joined the Forum in 2007 and walked from St Jean to SDC in May 2008. Between 2008 and 2014, I walked the Caminho Portuguese, Ingles and the Camino Frances from Burgos and Sarria. For several years I was honored to be a moderator on the Forum. Due to combat related issues, over the past two years I've spent the majority of my time rebuilding my life and life-style. Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

Welcome back troop. Glad to run into another dirt eater here!

 

[Guy Strachan]

Welcome back!
Buen Camino amigo

 

[LTfit]

Hi, I originally joined the Forum in 2007 and walked from St Jean to SDC in May 2008. Between 2008 and 2014, I walked the Caminho Portuguese, Ingles and the Camino Frances from Burgos and Sarria. For several years I was honored to be a moderator on the Forum. Due to combat related issues, over the past two years I've spent the majority of my time rebuilding my life and life-style. Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

Good to see you back Arn!

 

[Colette Z]

Welcome home!

 

[lt56ny]

Good to have veteran voice of the pilgrimage of Camino and life back with us.

 

[MaineSally]

Hi, I originally joined the Forum in 2007 and walked from St Jean to SDC in May 2008. Between 2008 and 2014, I walked the Caminho Portuguese, Ingles and the Camino Frances from Burgos and Sarria. For several years I was honored to be a moderator on the Forum. Due to combat related issues, over the past two years I've spent the majority of my time rebuilding my life and life-style. Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

Arn, here’s to a welcoming experience yet again. I have found Ivar’s Forum to be a place of shared wisdom and emotional support.

I see you are from Richmond. I grew up in Northern VA. High density in both locales, but close enough to trails/parks where tree canopies can shield summer’s unrelenting sun and provide a bit of respite from the humidity (wishful thinking on that one!) VA’s winters tend never to be so cold that you can’t get out and move. I envy that. Winter in Maine is tough for me having come from San Diego! Yes, I whine about it.

Here’s to cheerleading you on to strength and transformation. We’re all a work in progress in some shape or form!

 

[mspath]

Arn,
So glad that you are back once again!
Best wishes and, in the truest sense, Ultreia.

 

[Arn]

Thank you all very much! I'm taking this slowly.

 

[Hurry Krishna]

Hi, I originally joined the Forum in 2007 and walked from St Jean to SDC in May 2008. Between 2008 and 2014, I walked the Caminho Portuguese, Ingles and the Camino Frances from Burgos and Sarria. For several years I was honored to be a moderator on the Forum. Due to combat related issues, over the past two years I've spent the majority of my time rebuilding my life and life-style. Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

Welcome back!

 

[VNwalking]

Today is my first day back on the Forum. I trust its the kick start I hope it shall be.

Welcome back, amigo. You've been missed.

 

[smj6]

I walked my first Camino back in Oct/Nov 2016 - before that, I was often on this forum and found its members to be so welcoming, and ready to help. I must admit life then got in the way, and I dropped out of sight - although I did peek around a bit about a year ago when I was looking into walking part of the Jakobova Pot (Zagreb - Ljubljana - Trieste) because one of my son's was living in Slovenia .... but that walk was nixed
Lovely to see 'old' names here, including Arn (who's name I remember because I bought an Aarn backpack).
Here's hoping that we can all resume our walking in 2021 - if not 2022......

 

[Canada Wanders]

Thank you all very much! I'm taking this slowly.

If you ever need to reach out over grunt stuff, I am here.

 

[Paladina]

Welcome indeed, and what a felicitous date for your return from the wilderness!

 

[miguel_gp]

Welcome back Arn.

 

[Bala]

Welcome back, Arn. You were a moderator and frequent poster back when I first joined the forum and I always found your contributions interesting and insightful. Glad you are feeling better and that you have returned.

 

[Arn]

Welcome back, Arn. You were a moderator and frequent poster back when I first joined the forum and I always found your contributions interesting and insightful. Glad you are feeling better and that you have returned.

It’s been difficult but so rewarding. Not only for me personally but also family and friends. Putting the pieces back together with my goal to live Healthy, Happy and Fulfilled.
Thank you and so many others, especially here on the Forum.

 

[alexwalker]

Welcome back to your Camino platoon. Most welcomed.

 

[Canada Wanders]

Camino Platoon...I like that. Growing to Company strength!

 

[Arn]

Camino Platoon...I like that. Growing to Company strength!

I sense a movement of like minded pilgrims here. Let's let this percolate a bit!

 

[Canada Wanders]

ACK.

 

[Kanga]

Good to see you Arn. Nothing much has happened here.....

 

[crhutch]

Hello Arn, long time no see. We too have been absent from the forum. Sorry to hear of your troubles but glad you are doing good and are back. Can I ask you if you keep in touch with Otis and Phyllis or know how they’re doing? Cullen & Palma

 

[Anniesantiago]

Welcome back!

 

[Arn]

Hello Arn, long time no see. We too have been absent from the forum. Sorry to hear of your troubles but glad you are doing good and are back. Can I ask you if you keep in touch with Otis and Phyllis or know how they’re doing? Cullen & Palma

Hutch,
I have not kept touch with Otis and Phyllis. When they stopped hosting the annual gathering I dropped off. It's great to hear from you both. Any Camino plans in the future?
regards
Arn

 

[Alan Pearce]

Arn,
I joined the forum in 2009, in the days when if there were 20 new posts in a day you thought it was Christmas. I so much enjoyed your posts then, and though we have never met, seeing your name here is like meeting up with an old friend. I have not read the forum much recently, but from now on I will!

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Arn]

Arn,
I joined the forum in 2009, in the days when if there were 20 new posts in a day you thought it was Christmas. I so much enjoyed your posts then, and though we have never met, seeing your name here is like meeting up with an old friend. I have not read the forum much recently, but from now on I will!

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

Alan,
Thank you for the kind words.
Serving in the Marines, I found that having friends, especially in a combat situation, can be hazardous both physically and mentally.
This past February 5th is the 53rd anniversary of the death of my best Marine buddy Eddie, who was KIA in Vietnam two weeks before we were going to be reunited back home in Chicago. Instead of the big bash we envisioned, I stood by his casket for three days. Eddie was my friend.
Instead of friends, I’ve had many, many acquaintances. And, although my interaction with them spans everything from down right debauchery to sharing the most tender of moments held in God's loving arms, few I can genuinely call friends.
Over the years, I've loosened up a bit. I've come to accept that by fearing the mental anguish should a friend preceed me in death, I've missed the celebration of life true friends can bring.
At one point in my life I could count on one hand those I called Friend.
Here on the Forum, and most assuredly on the Camino, I've met many I can call a Friend. Most of you, I've only met via these threads. Others, in the personal message arena.
All that said, the happiest I am is when I meet a fellow pilgrim at any of the many Pilgrim Masses along the Way, but most especially in the Cathedral de Santiago.
Alan, my Friend, I hope to meet you on Camino some day.
Buen “till we meet” Camino
Arn

 

[crhutch]

Hutch,
I have not kept touch with Otis and Phyllis. When they stopped hosting the annual gathering I dropped off. It's great to hear from you both. Any Camino plans in the future?
regards
Arn

Arn, we are “planning” doing a Camino this fall if the stars get in alignment and covid is no hindrance. Not sure which one but we’re giving some thought to Le Puy. We’d also like to do our 2 weeks Hospitalero work in Burgos. Everything is just so up in the air unfortunately.

We were thinking about Otis and Phyllis the other day and thought you would know. I hope they are well. They are a really cute couple.
Cheers! Cullen

 

[Arn]

Arn, we are “planning” doing a Camino this fall if the stars get in alignment and covid is no hindrance. Not sure which one but we’re giving some thought to Le Puy. We’d also like to do our 2 weeks Hospitalero work in Burgos. Everything is just so up in the air unfortunately.

We were thinking about Otis and Phyllis the other day and thought you would know. I hope they are well. They are a really cute couple.
Cheers! Cullen

Hi,
I am also considering a Fall Camino starting in SJPDP. Likely the last week in August and giving myself 45 days or so enjoying being alive and among friends. Let's hope the Camino works it's magic and we will all, once again sing out "Buen Camino"
Arn

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Arn, I was a forum lurker since 2014 before joining in 2017. I recall your name and your avatar fondly as I always enjoyed your posts. It's been nice to see you engaging with input again on many of the newer threads, so welcome back.

 

[William Marques]

Glad you're back Arn.

I have not been on here much since the start of the virus but my wife and I had our first vaccine jabs yesterday so we are starting to plan for the future again.

 

[Arn]

Glad you're back Arn.

I have not been on here much since the start of the virus but my wife and I had our first vaccine jabs yesterday so we are starting to plan for the future again.

William,
Great to reconnect! It's been quite a journey this last year, or two. That said, I am back reconnecting with my many friends on the Forum.
God bless you and yours.
Stay safe and healthy.

 

[Jarrad]

Welcome home!

 

[Arn]

Arn, here’s to a welcoming experience yet again. I have found Ivar’s Forum to be a place of shared wisdom and emotional support.

I see you are from Richmond. I grew up in Northern VA. High density in both locales, but close enough to trails/parks where tree canopies can shield summer’s unrelenting sun and provide a bit of respite from the humidity (wishful thinking on that one!) VA’s winters tend never to be so cold that you can’t get out and move. I envy that. Winter in Maine is tough for me having come from San Diego! Yes, I whine about it.

Here’s to cheerleading you on to strength and transformation. We’re all a work in progress in some shape or form!

Maine Sally,
Today we got a few inches of snow at the farm and surrounding area. Not really enough to satisfy my desires. I spent ten summers teaching sailing in Maine and enjoyed interior Maine when I thru-hiked the AT in 1996.
California educated (?) at Chapman University (BA) in Orange and USC (MSEng). So I am a bit backward in my ability to write complete sentences with more than four letter words.
Heading to VT end of the month for a week in the snow.
Buen Camino (sometime).
Arn

 

[thomryng]

Welcome back! Ultreïa!

 

[Arn]

It's cold here at the farm and will get into the teens shortly. The Power went out just as I was eating supper in my parlor. My wood burning stove will heat the room to about 56 degrees F/13C. With Raider and my friends on the Forum for company, I'll remain toasty warm.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Love the flintlock rifle and what era is that sword?

 

[Arn]

1863 Calvary sword, Ames, CT

 

[Richmond Gardner]

1863 Calvary sword, Ames, CT

I was thinking Civil War era, but didn’t want to assume. Hope the woodstove is doing a good job; I heated my house for two years here in Rhode Island without a furnace. And then the family revolt occurred.

 

[Arn]

I was thinking Civil War era, but didn’t want to assume. Hope the woodstove is doing a good job; I heated my house for two years here in Rhode Island without a furnace. And then the family revolt occurred.

My daughter and her family lived with me for five years. Nothing warms the cockles of one's soul as watching two grandchildren (9-7) walking with an arm full of wood from the barn, in the snow, to their bedroom so they can have heat.

 

[MaineSally]

Maine Sally,
Today we got a few inches of snow at the farm and surrounding area. Not really enough to satisfy my desires. I spent ten summers teaching sailing in Maine and enjoyed interior Maine when I thru-hiked the AT in 1996.
California educated (?) at Chapman University (BA) in Orange and USC (MSEng). So I am a bit backward in my ability to write complete sentences with more than four letter words.
Heading to VT end of the month for a week in the snow.
Buen Camino (sometime).
Arn

We’re due for a couple of snow days this week. Likely a total accumulation of a foot...give or take. Enjoy time in VT. Anytime in VT is pretty nice!

 

[Arn]

It's nearly a month since I posted this thread.
Please know how honored and humbled I am by the warm welcome back to the Forum.
So many pilgrims from year's gone past and new friends moving forward add to my euphoria.
I was initially a lurker, graduated to Camino contributer and, honored to be a Moderator, before I dropped off the net.
Please know, the last two years have been difficult, yet the warm welcome and enthusiastic acceptance of my comments and threads are the best medicine imaginable.
God bless you all!
Arn

 

[Canada Wanders]

Cheers mate.