Stage 9: Logrono to Najera (25.5 km--22 degrees)

Thanks to Logrono, we were well rested and in clean clothes. We woke early and caught a taxi to a park on the edge of the city so that we could begin our walk with swans and rabbits instead of cars. Betty's back and Laurel's knees were stiff, but we made good time on the easiest trail so far as clouds and a gentle breeze kept us cool. We ate lunch on the the trail and arrived in Najera at 12:30, in the middle of the Fiesta de San Juan. I am not sure but I think he is the patron saint of Spring Break or drunken debauchery. We showered, quickly lined up for grilled meat and ended the day with a cup of tea at the hostel (7:00pm).

Rest Day: Logrono (35 degrees)

A much needed rest day for our tired feet -- and Logrono has been a great spot to spend it in!  When in Rome (or Logrono, in this case), do as the locals do and take in the sounds and tastes on the famous Calle del Laurel (Laurel Street), just below our apartment.  The pinxos, or tapas, are truly works of art and, as it's so difficult to choose, we tried many different ones!  And they were ALL delicious.  Of course, this being a wine region of Spain, Jim and Laurel washed them down with vino and Betty used sparkling water.  

While here, we have also shopped for sun-glasses, explored the old town, relaxed in Miguel's Airbnb apartment, and indulged in more pinxos!  We're savouring it all, as tomorrow morning we'll be back on the trail.

Crops of the Camino

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Stage 8: Los Arcos to Logrono (30km--29 degrees)

We left this morning at 4:45 and walked into the daylight. The first set of photos were taken before full sunrise. The morning temperature (19) made for a comfortable first stretch. The second set of photos show a few of the different trails we walked today. We certainly appreciated the shady ones and felt fairly fortunate to have a bit of a breeze most of the way. We arrived in Logrono around 11:30 and collapsed at the pilgrim foot fountain at the edge of town. We are booked into an apartment overlooking Laurel Street where we will spend an extra rest day. I (Betty) will post some pictures for our Prairie friends and relatives. All three of us are taken by the beauty in the crops!

Flowers of the Navarra Region

Stage 7: Estella to Los Arcos (22 km--33 degrees)

Bunions, corns and wonkie knees are not the signs of old age!  However, talking about them for six straight hours might be!  I have alway thought that walking was a great catalyst for great conversations. We are old but I think we are prevailing.

Yesterday hinted at today's temperature and so we got up two hours before the crack of dawn and hit the trail at 5:15.  We watched the sun rise and slowly diminish our long shadows until it was beating straight overhead and telling us to stop for a break.  When Laurel and Betty literally started cutting corners, we gave into the heat and stopped.  Our picnic lunch in a vineyard recharged us and helped to quicken our pace.   I think starting in the dark is a good way to avoid the heat but it does have drawbacks--today we missed the turn off for the only wine fountain on the Camino and I had to settle for water again!!!

Fields of wheat, barley, and canola; vineyards and olive orchards were the backdrop to our winding path.  The walk was gentle and not so long, yet we all had something to complain about.  We were grateful to arrive in Los Arcos before noon and we were grateful to have each other to listen to and complain to.

Stage 6: Obanos to Estella (27 km--29 degrees)

We hit the trail with the light of the moon, and walked and walked and walked as the day revealed itself to be the clearest, sunniest, and hottest so far at 29 degrees (but no doubt, later on, this will be "cool" in comparison).  The windmills, which were so huge as we had passed below them yesterday, now shrank and then disappeared on the horizon behind us.  In front of us appeared vineyards and olive groves.  Along the way, we crossed over numerous Roman stone bridges and wended our way through beautiful villages.  Now for an early bedtime and a good night's sleep in this monastery with simple, modern bedrooms.