OLATHE — Retirement is a time to explore new interests and build on existing ones. Recently, a Santa Marta resident here, Valerie Bauer, decided to deepen her faith by making the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) pilgrimage in Spain with her daughter last October.
The Camino is an ancient network of pilgrim routes across Europe, primarily in Spain, leading to the shrine of the apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Upon reaching Santiago, walkers can obtain a Compostela certificate if they have covered at least the final 100 kilometers on foot.
With more than 1,000 years of history, it is a significant Christian pilgrimage, now walked by thousands each year for spiritual growth, personal reflection or trekking. The pilgrimage was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Faith-filled living later in life
“I was inspired to make this pilgrimage several years ago,” said Bauer, “while in Spain and Portugal. I witnessed a lot of people carrying backpacks and asked about their journey. What they were doing seemed incredible to me, and I hoped that one day I, too, could do the same. I wanted to experience what felt like a holy path that St. James walked.”
Bauer’s upcoming milestone birthday seemed like the ideal opportunity to make the trek.
“I had just turned 74 and was living at Santa Marta,” she said. “I was talking with a few residents about turning 75 in a year and what I would like to do. I remembered my desire to walk the Camino de Santiago and announced that it would be a great way to welcome my 75th birthday. At first, I was only musing about it, but the thought stayed with me.
“I spoke with my husband about it, and he was so supportive of my desire and intention. I expressed my interest to our adult daughter, and she agreed to go. I saw it as an opportunity for fun, healing and joy for us both.”
In preparation for her journey, Bauer walked more than 600 miles and did strength training in the Santa Marta gym. Then, on October 7, 2025, she and her daughter began their pilgrimage along the Camino Francés.
A journey of pilgrimage and purpose
Bauer describes her journey this way.
“We walked 11 to 16 miles per day and were very fortunate the weather was rain-free and mild,” she recalled. “Our days started on the Camino about 9 a.m., but it was surprisingly still dark there. We were by ourselves, electing not to join a group.
“Fatigue did not seem an issue. For me there was so much incentive to glorify God in the beauty of this Camino. We laughed and reminisced and listened to the incessant chestnuts falling from the trees. That’s when we were quietest, listening and praying.”
“Our meals were simple,” she continued, “but grand in many ways. I love seafood and octopus and filled up on this nearly every day. The red wine in Spain is like no other, and we enjoyed some every evening following our long day.
“I still can’t believe that what started out to be a light conversation with fellow residents at Santa Marta turned out to be an incredible journey in my life and it did not disappoint. The path was hard at times, and I didn’t realize that the farther we walked, the clearer our oneness with each other grew. Now, my daughter’s lifetime wish is to return there with her children!”
Living among other active Catholic seniors
Bauer and her husband have lived at Santa Marta for two-and-a-half years and describe it as a wonderful community of friends who care for each other like family.
“We are able to strengthen our faith life through daily worship here,” she said, “and bond more readily with one another through our shared faith. I wish the many friends I left behind in Iowa could come here and experience Santa Marta.”
Open to residents of all faiths, Santa Marta supports residents, like Bauer, on their individual spiritual paths.
