We woke up at 4:30 to beat the heat for the big day and thank God we did. Our Albergue was fabulous and with breakfast and laundry only 18 euros each. I believe we were the first out of Los Arcos in route to beautiful Logrono. Once again the moon and stars guided us for the first hour and a half and was already warm. I was worried about Sue and the heat but chose not to bring it up. Hiking The Camino is not easy and the seventh day was a true test of our fitness and mental toughness. Honestly it was like hiking the high desert in Tucson Arizona but there was beauty in the vineyards and we ate a few grapes which were surprisingly sweet. Today we crossed the 100 mile mark for a total of 112 of the 500 we need to hike ... feels great. Thanks again for all the comments on the blog as they inspire us!
Funny thing this morning in the town of Torres as what we thought was beautiful church music in the distance ended up being a discoteca in full swing with dancing and blaring music ... crazy. Just out of town we saw our seven young friends asleep in the wild.
Sue and I found a seven hour groove today with only one fifteen minute stop for bathroom, cafe con leche, chocolate croissant and coca cola light ... Hah hah hah.
The elderly people of Spain are constantly strolling in all the towns ... such beautiful people who always smile and wish us Buen Camino. The towns are charming and clean as well as the bathroom. We always feel safe and welcome.
The Camino crowds are thinning out as some people find it too hot, too many blisters, too much weight on their shoulders and not enough preparation. Their are some very impressive Europeans who are hiking animals!!!
The last few miles into Logrono around 12:15 were difficult. We had our hats on, stayed well hydrated and found a strong rhythm with our boots and poles. We were also inspired by our three wheel chair friends and their fathers guiding them along into town on the main, roasting hot road ... we took pictures and hugged Maxi, Angel, Guillermo, Antonio, Mario and Jose Maria.
Logrono is a special city in the famous La Rioja region known for its superlative wines. We even went wine tasting after we showered and did the laundry ... U have to do daily laundry.
Sue and I love to hit the town square and people watch and today was the best yet. A wedding came out of Catedral Santa Maria and the outfits and people were beautiful. Even more impressive were the countless families with babies, strollers, parents, grandparents strolling along the pedestrian main street and there we sat soaking it all in.
Tomorrow is a big day at 30 kilometers and close to 20 miles. We will once again depart at 5:30 am with streetlights guiding us out of town and up the hills.
We love it out here in Northern Spain and feel blessed with this experience and opportunity. Each day we read the Mystical Path and Personal Reflection outlined in our guidebook. We also have numerous hours to reflect and pray along The Camino de Santiago all the while listening to the click click of our poles helping us with a continuous rhythm.
Buen Camino mi familia y amigos ... Enjoy your weekend!
Esteban y Susana
P.S. I have to part with three items ... deck of cards, Nike cotton shirt and Nike golf hat ... it pains me but to go far one must pack light and tomorrow I need to carry a lot of water for Sue and me.
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| 4:45am and here's my stuff |
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The church, moon, and stars to guide us
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One hour into the hike and it's still dark - church is beautiful
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| We are rolling! |
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| Beautiful sunrise and already hot! |
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| A few camino markers for you to see |
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| Our fruit bag on my pack |
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| 19.2 miles/20 kms today - 7 hours on trail |
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| Camino |
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| Emergency hut |
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| Just the two of us today |
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| Friends from Malta |
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| Lunch |
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| Mom, a Spanish local, and perro |
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| Our Spanish friends, Guillermo, Angel, Maxi, Mario, Jose, and Maria |
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| Famous Camino outside Logrono Espana |
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| 93 degrees, but we made it! |
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| Town of 130k! |
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| Sue thought we ordered pizza and here's what we got! |
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| Wine tasting in famous Rioja Regio |
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| Santa Maria Iglesias |
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| Sue on evening stroll with locals |
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| It pains me, but these items are being left behind - too heavy! |
Steve and Sue...AWESOME...if it was easy, I would be there with you...hah hah hah...Steve, if I knew you could write so well, I would have you posting on all my blogs...:) God bless and keep up the great work on the awesome Camino...
ReplyDeleteLove, Jimbo...P.S. Love the Perro pic with Sue and Local Spaniard!!!
Steve and Sue, Bogey has been a perfect house guest! According to Carly, Bogey and Halea have been getting along just great! So, enjoy another beautiful day on El Camino. Love your recap and pictures of the day! Dad
ReplyDeleteMom, if you though you ordered a pizza, and that is what you got, you need to work on your spanish! haha. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Vanessa says that you should start running!! LOL she's kidding.
Craig and Ness
Ness - that's the best comment I've read!! LOL Could you imagine!? :)
DeleteCate
Hi, I am so glad I found your blog! My daughter has CF and I did the Camino in May/June. I only did Leon to Santiago though not the whole thing like you brave folks. Good luck to you!! I loved my Camino journey, it was hard but very rewarding. Most fun meeting all the folks from all over the world. I met people from 30 different countries. Might be posting some advice when you get to Leon! Sharon from California
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon Sue and I are touched to receive your comment and we pray for your daughter what is her name and how is she doing? My direct email is Spence@ussportscamps.com
ReplyDeleteBlessings Steve and Sue