In the decade since my sons left home, walking has brought us together

The exodus of grown children mostly happens without fanfare. For Lisa Walker, hiking the Camino turned into both a goodbye and a glimpse at the future

In the decade since my sons left home, walking has brought us together

TL;DR

  • Family hiking trips evolved from childhood outings to adult negotiations.
  • The Camino de Santiago marked a shift in the parent-child dynamic to one of equals.
  • Walking together provides unbroken, shared time in a fragmented world.
  • These journeys allow family members to enter each other's lives without intrusion.
  • Subsequent hikes serve as a template for maintaining family connection as adult children become independent.