How it all started

“Don’t mention this to anyone because I’m really just starting to consider it.” I leaned closer as my dad confided in me with absolutely no idea what he was about to say. “I’ve been thinking about walking the rest of the Camino!” To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I hadn’t heard him talk about the Camino since he walked a portion of it 8 years earlier. “This time,” he added, “I’ll pick up where I left off and complete the pilgrimage.”

Hearing my dad speak those words, I had no idea the adventure that would come just a few short months later!

I’d always been interested in the Camino de Santiago but it had fallen off my radar at some point in the last decade. Hearing that my dad was returning to Spain to complete the Camino planted the seed that it would be wonderful to join him for a few days.

I decided against it and didn’t give it much more thought. I have an old ankle injury from a mountain bike accident that still flares up when I spend a few hours on my feet. Surely I couldn’t put it through multiple days of hiking.

What Warren Buffet always says

Eleven days before my dad’s departure, I found myself sitting across the cafe table from my husband dreaming out loud, “Do you think it would be crazy to join him for the last 3 days of his walk?”

My husband smiled, “You remember what Warren Buffet likes to say: ‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities come around about twice a year.”

My heart started to race a little, knowing where he was going with this. Usually, we quote this to remind each other that often things we think we need to act on immediately (and are likely distractions) can wait. You know, like that Labour Day sale on hardwood floors when you won’t really be ready to install them for another couple of months? The sales will be back by the time you need them.

This was different.

He squeezed my hand from across the small round table and continued, “I think this actually is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” I could see in his eyes he thought I should go. My eyes welled up with tears. The Camino would always be there for me but the opportunity to walk a portion of it with my dad and celebrate this achievement alongside him? That’s something I’d never forget.

I squeezed his hand again, still holding it across the small round table smiling from ear to ear. It was settled. If my dad was up for it, I’d join him for the last few days of his Camino!

Camino buddy, anyone?

The next morning, 9 days before his departure, I called my dad from my studio while between clients. “Could I stop by later today to talk about the Camino?” He cheerfully agreed and we set a time. A nervous anxiousness was growing in me unsure of whether or not he’d want company on his pilgrimage. I wrapped up my shoots for the day and made my way over to my parents’ place in the early afternoon. After hearing all of my dad’s plans and details about his trip, he looked at me and my mum and with a grin said, “Anyone wanna come?” I smiled, raised my hand, and said, “How about for the last three days?!” I could see the excitement in my dad’s expression knowing I’d be joining him.

We excitedly considered what part of the Camino I’d join him for and decided on the portion from Santiago to Finisterre—the end of the earth.

Filled with excitement and a little disbelief, I went home, shared the news with my husband, and booked my flights.

From KW to Santiago

At some point over the next four weeks, my suggested 3-day walk turned into a 5-day adventure and for some reason those two extra days made all the difference in my head. With 5 days I figured I should probably train at least a little. I bought a new pair of waterproof runners one Thursday night, walked 10km through KW the next afternoon wearing the backpack I’d use on the hike, and flew to Madrid the next Monday. And so I started my journey from KW to Santiago to meet my dad and walk the 90 km Camino Finisterre.