We set out from Torres del Rio under clear skies and joined the stream of pilgrims working westward. We'd heard that some set off very early, and this certainly seems to be the case. When I woke at 6:45, I looked out the window and saw a group heading up the hill into Torres; they'd already covered about 8 km that morning.
Although we are accustomed to seeing grape vines growing along supporting wires, some of the older vineyards here have individual plants, like small shrubs.
Around 11 am we stopped in the town of Viana for a snack and cool drink. The church there (Santa Maria), from the 13th century, is truly amazing and beautifully decorated with gilded sculpture.
There was also a small statue of Saint James (below).
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| street in Viana |
Today was a short day (only about 21 km), so we crossed the Ebro River and rolled into the large city of Logrono by mid-afternoon. Given the number of pilgrims we knew would be stopping here, and not relishing the thought of sharing a room with 40 or 50 others, we looked for alternate lodging. We found a great pension for only a little more than two beds in the albergue. We scored a corner room with beautiful glass-enclosed balconies (the one in the pic below with the open window).
We went out for some tapas before dinner, and met Javier (below) in the bar we stopped at. He gave us some pointers about which ones to try, we had a couple of beers together, and he invited himself to come visit us in the US. We're laughing because he thought I reminded him of Chuck Norris; I'll bet that made you smile too.
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