The Road to Our 2nd Camino

This summer marks the two-year completion of our 500-mile journey on the French Route of the Camino de Santiago with a baby.

We started the journey with our son Hudson just after his first birthday.  He loved spending so much time outdoors and had the time of his life covering the ground across Northern Spain. We called it “BOBpacking” because we were the only pilgrims we heard of who were able to pack all belongings on our BOB stroller and push a baby in it.  It was glorious (for me, Kristin), and a bit harder for Rob who pushed the 65+ pound stroller most of the way.

The Camino has, in many ways, given us a new appreciation for life.  31 days after our 1st Camino journey began we arrived at our destination in Santiago de Compostela and began a new chapter: we were expecting a Camino baby. Nine months after finishing we celebrated our daughter Kalea entering the world.

We have decided what better way to celebrate Kalea turning one and Hudson turning three than having both of them join us on our second Camino on the 150-mile Portuguese route from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain this September.

Bringing two children on the Camino – a baby and a toddler- is no small feat!  So, we agreed it was important for all of us to start training. Hudson has continued his training going on runs and occasional hikes with his dad in the mornings.  Kalea has started crawling and climbing with her mom, eager to start walking like the rest of us.

Last month was our first major training session as a family as we traveled to Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks.  We covered trails up and over rocks, with vista views, rivers, pools of water and all the beauty that these parks have to offer. Starting in Zion National Park, we visited Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and finally onto Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab, UT.

We are now less than six months away from our launch date to head on the Camino.  Hudson and Kalea don’t quite know what they are in for (yet!), but we are looking forward to enjoying this Camino as a family of four, with Hudson and Kalea in a double BOB stroller once again pushed by Dad and accompanied by a few additional friends and family members along the way.

We can’t wait to see the ocean views from the trail, enjoy daily strolling, and meet new friends at the small villages and towns along the way “BOBpacking” as we go.