Day 7 Los Arcos --> Logrono 28.6 K
We were fortunate to get off to an earlier start because there was a restaurant that opened at 6:30 am. This was the longest distance to date - 17.8 miles - with one pretty good incline coming about 7 K into the walk. It was still dark as we walked by the beautiful cathedral.
The first part of the walk was on a broad gravel road bordered with beautiful wildflowers and those lush green fields. I am an early morning person, and the cool calm air was wonderful. We plodded on to Sansol and climbed to Torres del Rio, small old towns with pretty ancient looking architecture. Then came a series of hills covered with grape vines, and paths along the hills. The weather was perfect.
By the time we got to Viana, we were starting to wear down, and Donna had that "I need something to eat" look. We climbed to the main part of town and started looking for a restaurant. Found a cute bar with the Pilgrim's menu of the day. Donna had that vegetable soup/stew she is becoming addicted to, with pork loin and French fries. I had spaghetti bolognese with the pork loin. For dessert, orange gelato.
Thus enforced, we started down the steep hill out of town and the last 10 K to Logrono. It was quite warm, and we started hitting the wall about 5 K from Logrono. Logrono is a sizeable city, and we had booked a room ahead of time, hoping the person on the phone was telling the truth when he assured us it was not too far from the Camino. We trudged along on our very tired legs, winding down a long hill that ended up across the street from a pretty park that indicated we had arrived in Logrono. I was taking a picture of the Logrono trail marker and getting ready to cross the street when I hear what sounds like a loud "YIP" behind Donna, who was 20 yards or so behind me at the base of the hill. When I turned around, there were Leon and Steve waving and laughing. We had not seen them since Estella, and I was right in my recollection that they had stayed at a hotel outside of Los Arcos the night before. At any rate, even though they left Los Arcos a good hour or so later than us, they had hoofed it all day to try and catch up with us in Logrono, not even stopping for lunch. Just snacked along the way. We just laughed at how surreal it was that we just happen to keep running into each other - Steve says it is divine providence. He fairly skipped the last few yards down the hill shouting, "I am now passing the baton back to you." I had loaned him one of my trekking poles a few days earlier when he was struggling with his feet.
We crossed over the bridge into Logrono, then went to our separate hotels with the intent to meet up later for dinner. Donna and I had several blocks to negotiate to find our hotel, and at one point a young woman with what appeared to be her husband and baby out for a stroll offered to assist us - she actually spoke some English, which was like a real gift. After Donna attempted to explain we were looking for the Hotel Carlton Rioja, she smiled and said, "Just come with us - we will take you there." More kind strangers just when you need them.
Checked in to a beautiful hotel with a large tub for soaking. On our last legs - again. And one more complication - Donna had developed additional blisters and was in pain. We re-grouped a little and met Steve and Leon downstairs at 6:30 pm to try and find a place to eat. Somewhere that did not require much walking. No such luck. We ended eating ice cream, and Steve and Leon headed off for mass. Donna and I stopped at a local market, where she could get some of that soup/stew at the deli, and I found fresh blueberries! That was a big deal. We returned to the room with our "dinner." Donna worked on her feet and got them elevated for the night. Steve had shared some of his blister-treating techniques. We discussed the possible options for tomorrow depending on the status of her blisters. Because we have a limited amount of time, we have to get to Santiago by May 29 for the Pilgrim's mass. And we really want to walk the entire Camino, and not have to bus any sections. That essentially means we have maybe 1 rest day, which we are trying to save depending on circumstances. Which means we want to walk tomorrow.
We turned in early again. Exhausted again. A little concerned about tomorrow.
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