2012-09-14 Friday

2012-09-14 Friday

Los Arcos to Logroño 

Day 7 of the Camino. We woke up again at 0600, had breakfast at the nearby bar and left at 0740, a bit later than we wanted because we have a long day ahead, 28 miles. Today's the terrain is more challenging, with a couple of steep hills, the guide says that today's 28 Km will feel like 32.

Terry, Nancy, Erico and Paulo departing Los Arcos

Nancy, Terry and Paulo in the Camino

Nancy, Terry and Paulo by an olive grove

Erico at the start of a steep decline

More vineyards

A typical Camino Trail marker

Pilgrims on the Camino

Beautiful morning, started chilly but warmed up quickly, we were shedding our jackets with less than 30 minutes of walking. We stopped in Torres del Rio at 0930 for coffee and to buy sandwiches for our lunch today, we will not be near a town at lunch time. 

At around noon, we found a spot to sit down and eat our sandwiches. 

We also stopped for about 15 minutes at the City of Viena, about 10 Km from Logroño, to rest and to have coffee and a snack. 

Altar, church in Viena

Ripe Rioja grapes

Ahh, finally some shade!

Proof that we made to Logroño: Erico, Terry, Nancy, Paulo

We arrived at the hotel Isasa in Logroño at 1550. We were all tired. We quickly showered and went to a nearby laundromat to wash our clothes. We had a couple of bears in a bar next door while waiting for the laundry. 

We went out for dinner at 1900, we wanted an early dinner to hit the sack early, but it is impossible to have dinner before 9PM in this city! We finally went to a small bar and had delicious tapas with an excellent Rioja wine, the best so far. We are now in the Rioja region. 

Terry was amazed how the tapas bar worked, it was full of people, most people were standing around tall tables or counter spaces, you go back to the bar counter to ask for tapas, one or two at a time, or to get one more glass of wine, and the bar keepers keep track of all customers and their orders; you pay at the end. Everything is fast paced. He said he has worked as barmen during his college days and he could not do what the guys here do.

We walked back to the hotel, but Paulo and Terry were still hungry, so we stopped at another bar were they ate a piece of tortilla each. 

Today I am very happy, my knees, even though still hurting, felt better after today's 28Km segment than after Yesterday's 22Km one. The feet are still sore, but it is no longer that sharp pain felt with each step. The legs are sore by the end of the walk, but are starting to recover over night. Knock on wood, no blisters yet, only the top of the left foot pink toe is a bit tender, but I am protecting it with moleskin. I hope these are signs that I am getting my Camino legs. Just to play safe, I am shipping by backpack tomorrow again, it will be a 31Km segment.