It was a late morning start for me out of Logroño. I took my time, enjoying a good breakfast at a nearby cafe, and left right before check-out time. I couldn’t do the bag transfer from my hostel, so I strapped on my fully loaded pack for an easy 7.7 mile hike to my destination of Navarrete (a small village on the Way).

Exiting Logroño I enjoyed cool and ideal hiking weather. The forecast had threatened rain, but it was only a touch of infrequent light drizzle. No big deal.

On the main boulevard I caught up with a local Palm Sunday procession of the faithful dressed in red robes and carrying palm branches. Hosanna indeed.

Leaving the city, I walked for several miles on a wide and level shared-use path. Families, joggers, walkers, and a few pilgrims shared the late Sunday morning path. It was easy and beautiful. And a good reminder of the community benefit of regional trail investment. Can I get an amen, RVA?

On that part of my journey I met Ann and John from a rural area near Sydney, Australia. They’re a bit older and are enjoying the Camino at their own pace. Nice folks. We chatted for a bit and then bid each other a hearty, “Buen Camino!”

Further down this path I ran into new Camino friends, Jason from Colorado, and Claude from Quebec (he winters in Daytona Beach, Florida). We chatted a bit and discussed the challenges of taking a zero day. I was becoming increasingly aware that I had now rejoined my Camino family, albeit with new friends. I was increasingly grateful.

Towards the end of my day’s walk, I met Conner from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He’s a B&B owner in Belfast and an indie musician. Check out his music here.

We were staying at same alburgue. After check-in, we decided to do some quick shopping before siesta shut everything down, and to take a late lunch together. We wandered into the village center to find a market and a  restaurant. We shared a pilgrim- focused “Menu del Dia.” It was filling and serviceable; the company was charming. We talked about life, our backgrounds, interests, Ireland and Northern Ireland, women and relationships, and music. We both play guitar!

Our alburgue is large and new. There were only three pilgrims staying there (including yours truly). We had the place and space to ourselves. The owner, Beatriz, is a local and is also an extensive world-traveler. She has visited 45 countries and speaks five different languages fluently. [Klingon is not one of them].

Her husband is a professional wine taster / wine blender in La Rioja, which is the Tempranillo heart of Spanish wine country. Bea set up a small lesson in La Rioja wine just for me. It was interesting, delightful, and unexpected. At dinner, she walked me through wine tasting of a new (young) La Rioja and a mature (older) version. I learned some tricks of the trade and had fun! The wines had similarity in taste to California Cabernet Sauvignon. The young one was wild and complex. The old one was refined and even.

I had dinner with another pilgrim from Washington State, who, like Bea, is similarly very well traveled. To dozens of countries in various continents.

Before bedtime, I went through various pilgrim life maintenance routines. It all went well except for drying my daily laundry. My clothes are mostly technical hiking clothes that do best with air drying. They dry very quickly on the line outdoors. The weather was variously rainy and uncooperative for me.

Sleep came easily and quickly. I was well rested and refreshed for my next day’s long hike with a full pack to Azorfa (a small village between Logroño and Burgos). Easter is coming.

Pilgrim Wisdom: Travel is great, but it is not enough to satisfy the wandering soul.

Pilgrim Lesson: Camino family is never far on the Way.