The pilgrims (peregrinos) on the Camino de Santiago are identified by carrying a seashell (often dangling from a backpack). The way itself is marked with shell images as you go. haven't found much research on the why of the shell image, but nonetheless, Susie is carrying two shells. One is from daughter Hattie (that she drilled with a pump drill when learning about the Ohlone Indians) and the second one is from her expert shell-collecting grandmother (who died at 97++ in 2014). Feels great to walk as mother-daughter and to have the additional grandmother (to Susie) and grandaughter (to Joan) on the path too. Matrilineal pilgrims are likely not who have historically walked this route, but we're proud to do it now.
Susie's shells
