Video: A Tupelo Woman Reflects Back on Her 500-Mile Hike Across Europe

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — While many people are making new Year resolutions, others are reflecting on goals accomplished in 2013.

One Tupelo woman tells us about her 500-mile journey across Europe.

Anita Bryan is no stranger to adventure.

She has hiked the Grand Canyon and a portion of the Appalachian Trail, but it was a hike in Europe that gave her a craving for more.

“I’d hike before in the Alps through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It was fun and I thought it was a good way to see a country and I heard about this,” says Anita Bryan.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as “way of St. James,” is a 500-mile trail that’s been walked since the year 900.

It was once used as a pilgrimage but over time the trail has evolved into a quest for recreational or spiritual discovery.

“There’s mountains there and it’s just beautiful just a lot of different people and met people from all over the world. It was great,” says Bryan.

The journey wasn’t just a way to experience new things but meet new people.

“I keep up with my friends on Facebook. The friends that I made from around the world and so we talk about other hiking that we want to do,” says Bryan.

It took Bryan 35 days to complete the mission. There was one thing though she looked forward to each night.

“They had what they called pilgrim meals which is three courses and you have a choice, but I really wanted spaghetti and I ate spaghetti or pizza every chance I could,” says Bryan.

Food and friends were easy to find but she worried about her age, 68.

“I thought that people would think that but when I got over there, there were a lot of women even older than me who went hiking by themselves so it wasn’t even a big deal,” says Bryan.

Despite the hike she’s ready for a new trip.

“I am looking at others to do you know. I think I’m hooked. I think everybody who does it is hooked.

Whether you are searching for adventure or accomplishing a goal, Bryan believes the Camino de Santiago trail has something for everyone.

More than 150,000 people hike the trail each year.