Logrono to Navarrete

Total distance today = 8 miles

Total ascent = 525 feet

Cumulative distance = 109 miles

Another fairly short and easy day. We walked about half a mile from our hotel to old town Logrono (not included in today's distance) to get back on the Camino de Santiago and followed it out on the other side. But, before we left old area, we came across the Fuentes Peregrinos. I can almost see pilgrims from hundreds of years ago soaking their feet after along day of walking. 

But since here was no water in the pool, and we had just started walking, a quick picture sufficed. 

Today was pretty much like yesterday.  Traveling between two towns over a short distance meant we didn't really leave the urban atmosphere for very long.

The path was either near or over roads for most of the morning. At one point we did walk through a nice park with a small duck/swan pond. 

And there were some pleasant views long the way. 

A reservoir and park

We came upon this informational sign that explained the beautiful, vibrant orange roses we noticed along the way for the last few days

There was a really cool mural painted on the walls of a tunnel under the A-12

Pilgrims

ET

Map of the Camino

A couple new path markers lead us out of Logrono...

...and into Navarrete. 

Shortly before entering Navarrete,we came upon the ruins of a 12th C pilgrims hostel. 

That's the Don Jacob winery in the background. They provided this picture...

Navarrete was a ghost town when we arrived. Not even any peregrinos. As we passed the 16th C Church of the Assumption...

...the door was open.  Upon entering, we couldn't see very much in the darkness, so David paid the euro to turn on the lights and this is what we saw...

Stunning.  To think this is all tucked away in a village church that hardly any one sees. 

After a shower and short nap,  a roam around town was in order.  The castle that used to be atop the mountain is gone, but the view from there is outstanding. 

Prior to leaving this morning, David applied a product called Compeed to his toe.  It acts almost like a second skin over the blister. This and some more "adjustments" to his boot, 

allowed him to make it to Navarette without the toe getting worse. But now the bad news.  The new boots, addressed to tonight's hotel, are stuck in Madrid customs.  The office is closed tonight, so we will have to wait til morning to get it straightened out. FedEx international support has no good ideas, despite their $344 shipping charges.  FedEx is closed in Spain on weekends, so the new boots may have to be returned to sender. Crazy. It wouldn't be a problem if we could buy new boots here, but they have nothing for sale anywhere in Spain larger than 45, equivalent to a US men's 11.5 Dave is wearing a US 12 wide and needs a 13, at least on his right foot

A word on boots in general. Dave has wide feet with narrow heels and has always had issues with boot fitment. He found the Merrell boots in 2010 in Munich while we were visiting Ocoberfest and the Oberamergau passion play. They have been great boots and Dave bought a second pair. Although he normally wears a size 11.5, he went with the12's to have sock space. Since then, these boots have comfortably summited Handies Peak, gone on backpacking trips with a heavy pack to places like Marroon Bells pass in Colorado, and were very comfortable. However, after the first 50 miles or so on this much longer hike, and although packing light, Dave's feet have "grown" at least a half size, especially the right foot.  This squeezed his toes, and with lots of downhills, led to a big blister taking over his small right toe. Something that small can end a hike, so we ordered bigger boots as noted above, transhipped through Jen's address, and Dave surgically expanded the boot as seen in the picture. That seems like it will work until mud and/or rain comes along, but just goes to show that best planning sometimes isn't enough.  

Oh, guess what my "word of the day" is... :)