While many couples might say that they don鈥檛 go on adventures because they have kids, that certainly didn鈥檛 stop 亚洲天堂 Lake couple Steve and Nellie Davis.

The adventurous couple recently walked the famed 鈥楥amino de Santiago,鈥� which ends in Spain, completing 240 km on foot, 300 km by train and another 260 km on foot with their three kids - ages six, 10 and 12.

鈥淭he kids did amazingly well, better than many adults we met,鈥� said Steve. 鈥淲e tried to walk less than 20 km a day as often as we could, as more than that made the kids very tired; now they feel very proud to know they have accomplished such an amazing thing.鈥�

The approximately nine weeks of adventure were particularly challenging for this family because one of their kids, Natalie, has been diagnosed with a genetic defect which affects her mobility.

鈥淣atalie takes four anticonvulsant medications, six or more daily supplements, and is fed a prescribed ketogenic diet,鈥� explained Steve. 鈥淎ll of this had to be prepared and packed along with us, which was the most challenging part of both planning and executing our trip.鈥�

Natalie was carried in a stroller throughout the hike, which at times meant going over steep rocky sections of trail.

鈥淲e used the ski harness in some sections so that we could have one person pulling and one person pushing, which made it possible,鈥� said Steve.

But overcoming challenges was exactly what made the trip so rewarding for this family.

鈥淚t is hard to quantify an experience that reaches you on physical, emotional and spiritual levels,鈥� they said.

鈥淎 pilgrimage is not an easy undertaking emotionally, as well as physically; there is much sacrifice involved in packing up your bag and putting your feet in your shoes every morning, but there is much reward as well.鈥�

鈥淥ne of the best rewards was being able to spend uninterrupted time together as a family, and to experience shared experiences together.鈥�

The couple said the best moments of their trip were crossing the second highest peak on the Camino and passing the Cruz de Ferro - an iron cross that pilgrims leave stones underneath as a symbol of something they have carried with them.

鈥淭he mountain views were incredible, and the abundant wildflowers were a huge treat for both sight and smell,鈥� they said. 鈥淪ome nearby peaks looked purple just from flower cover.鈥�

鈥淎fter the long day, our albergue [hostel] in El Acebo felt so luxurious after dormitory accommodation, with a pool and wonderful restaurant looking down the mountain into Ponferrada,鈥� they added. 鈥淭he day was a win in every way.鈥�

While there are different routes to complete the Camino de Santiago, after some research the couple chose the 鈥楥amino Frances,鈥� which starts in France and crosses the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain.

鈥淲e chose this route for both the trail conditions, and for the shorter distances required to arrive at a place to eat or stay,鈥� they said. 鈥淥ther routes have more difficult terrain, or require 20 plus km between hostels, which made them too difficult for our crew.鈥�

The family had been preparing to embark on this journey for the past two years. They made the decision after hearing a CBC re-run of an interview with Oliver Schroer, a musician and violin teacher from Smithers who hiked the Camino with his violin.

鈥淗e composed as he walked, and recorded in the beautiful old stone churches he passed as he walked through Spain,鈥� said Nellie. 鈥淪teve heard the broadcast after Schroer had passed away from cancer, but his interview was inspiring and got Steve hooked on the idea of walking through Spain with our family.鈥�

鈥淧art of the motivation was that, as a well travelled pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago is well set-up with accommodation and places to eat, making a long-distance hike possible for us,鈥� she continued. 鈥淭he more rugged terrain in Canada makes many long-distance hikes almost impossible with Natalie in a stroller or wheelchair, and we would also be required to carry heavy camping equipment, making such trips much more difficult for the children and us.鈥�

鈥淎fter two years of preparation, we were pretty well prepared for the hike; we practiced a bit at home before we left, and have a generally active lifestyle, which helped,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e could definitely see an increase in physical and emotional stamina in all of us as the trip progressed.鈥�

The family said that one of the most rewarding parts of the trip was seeing how people admired their courage.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 count the times that we were stopped or congratulated, and many people said, 鈥楳y kids wanted to come, but I didn鈥檛 think they could handle it.鈥欌��

鈥淲e are pleased that so many people realized that anything is possible, as long as you are patient and prepared, with any kids, even children with serious disabilities,鈥� they said. 鈥淣atalie鈥檚 team at the B.C. Children鈥檚 Hospital hopes her experience will help other families in this situation realize how much is possible, even while under a strict treatment plan.鈥�

鈥淲e would recommend that everyone take time out of their lives to experience each other and enjoy activities that feed your soul, whatever that may be,鈥� they added. 鈥淚f hiking is something you enjoy, then we absolutely encourage people to undertake their own Camino.鈥�

The family is planning a slide presentation at the 亚洲天堂 Lake Vineyard Church on July 17 at 6:30 p.m. They will be collecting donations for the Lakes District Food Bank at the door.