Depart Time: 7:30 Temp: 61F RH:70%
Walked today: 6.5 mi. Camino 2024: 64 mi.
This morning’s walk was interesting in a lot of ways. After leaving Viana, a town of 4000 people, we passed through small, walled in farms then into a more open area of vineyards loaded with nearly ripened grapes for Navarre vintage wines.
We followed the path through a relatively open area, passing through a lonely, small group of pine trees, and ultimately leaving Navarre and entering the region of Rioja.
The path became a wide paved walkway that worked its way upward to the top of a hill that even overlooked the city of Logroño, pop. 150,000. Vineyards, now loaded with ripened grapes for Riojan vinage wines surrounded us on both sides, with an occasional group of olive trees, also loaded with fruit.
We crossed the Ebro River on a magnificant bridge, originally built in the 11th century by Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and then rebuilt by his disciple, San Juan de Ortega.
We entered Logroño and continued along the Camino,
passed the Iglesia de Santiago el Real with its imposing Santiago Matamoros above the entrance.,.,
…and gradually worked our way to the Plaza de la Diversidad, found a seat/table and consumed a late 10:30 breakfast.
At 11:30 we walked the remaining couple of blocks to our hotel. When told we could not check in until 3:00, we said ok and occupied a corner of the lobby with our packs and our sweaty bodies and pulled out our cellphones to occupy the time, unfazed. About 10 minutes later, the concierge asked if we would consider a room with a large bed vs two twins, giving her an out. We said yes and were immediately checked in so the lobby could be cleared for less unseemly guests.
After completing chores and some rest/ recovery time, we headed out to the city and found an open restaurant for lunch/dinner.
We then ambled back to our room to close out another interesting day on the Camino Frances.
Jimandi 