Flora and Fauna Along the Camino

Stage 11: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belarado (23 km--17 degrees)

Top collage:  snapshots from our evening in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (June 25, 2016) -- a creatively designed peregrino water fountain; a drumming troupe which "beat" their way through the streets; Jim experiencing a close shave; a medieval passageway beside the cathedral

Middle collage:  leaving town at 6:00 am; sunrise behind us as we walked; a cross along the way; coffee and "2nd breakfast" (and bathroom break) at Granon; admiring the scenery

Bottom collage:  arrival at our destination (Belarado) -- church we see from our albergue (note the stork nests on top and the building built into the rocky hillside behind); waiting until 12:00 to check in; our room; elevating our feet right after check-in (got one blister on the trek today); town square

No more olive groves, no more vineyards -- we have left these behind us in the province of La Rioja, as we crossed the border today into the province of Castille y Leon.  Now the Camino leads us through abundant crops of grains, potatoes, peas, and sunflowers, as far as the eye can see, across the rolling hills.  Our trail is gentle and the sky is cloudy, so we make faster time (averaging 5 kms per hour).  Halfway along, I (Laurel) started to feel sandpaper in the toe of one shoe; a quick inspection revealed a dreaded blister!  Luckily, on the spot at the side of the trail, Jim was able to expertly apply a gel-lined "toe toque" that Betty had available.  I subsequently made it to our destination of the day, Belorado.