Walking the Via Francigena, I realize that there are three components, at least, of my being a pilgrim. I, the pilgrim, am moving to a destination. I the pilgrim. Movement. Destination.

Regarding destination, I, like others on the Via Francigena, hope to make it to Rome. It is our ultimate goal. I guess that I’m approximately 300 miles from the “Eternal City.” However, each day, I have more near and manageable destinations.

These nightly destinations provide much that I need. Shelter. A bed. Warmth. Well, with the temperatures in the high 30’s for 4-5 nights, warmth most nights! Yeah, for extra blankets and space heaters! Electric outlets. As I wrote last year, my first search at my nightly lodging is for the outlets. I need to keep the iPhone, the iPad, the iWatch, the Nikon battery, my battery bank charged.

Then there are those little “extras.” A kettle for hot tea. A few welcome snacks. I smile when my destination has more than a bed. A desk, a table, an “easy” chair, or, a sofa! So nice. And, of course, if I have a private bathroom, I’m almost in heaven! And, and, one night I could wash my clothes in a washing machine!!

My feelings about these temporary destinations vary. I find myself mildly anxious entering a new village or town. Can I find the place? Has the place been overbooked (not my experience yet, but two pilgrim’s experience several nights ago)? Also, I know to temper my expectations. I’ve only stayed in BnBs and hotels so far, I haven’t experienced the hostels and the monastery lodgings yet. While I’m prepared for some “variation” in their level of accommodation, I know after these years of walking that my nightly lodgings will be fine. I have yet to need or even turn-on a TV in all my years of being a pilgrim. I can put up with a lot when I know that my lodging is only for one night.

I’m struck by how some have ignored these nightly destinations. The ancient writers of the “Psalms of Ascent” rightfully have much to say about their Jerusalem destination, the Temple, and about their feelings. For example,

I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Our feet are standing

in your gates, Jerusalem.

Yet, the ancient writers in Psalms 120-134 say not a word about the pilgrim’s nightly destinations. Nothing about the shade of trees, nothing about cool water at their stopping point. Why the omission?

Sigeric, the appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, whose path many of us follow, made a list of his nightly destinations. However, scholars not only debate the location of some of those actual sites, they look in vain to find anything about those nightly destinations from Sigeric. We guess that he stayed in monasteries and hospices. We guess. He didn’t leave a word describing those destinations. Why the omission?

So I’m puzzled at the contradiction between my experience of feeling relief when I glimpse the first sight of my destination for the night, and the omissions from those ancient writers and Sigeric. For sure, the ultimate destination is important, but so are the more humble and immediate destinations.

I’m grateful for these temporary destinations. I’m grateful for the renewing of my body, mind, and spirit. I’m grateful for those named and unnamed strangers who make my rest possible. I look forward to reaching Rome, but not to the extent that I ignore my daily, my nightly, temporary destinations.