September 4, 2022
Logroño, Spain
Dear Family & Friends:
Estella to Los Arcos-September 3, 2022 (13.7 miles)
I got off to a late start, leaving Estella at 10 am. I arrived in Los Arcos at 5 pm.
I had a very difficult time booking a room in Los Arcos. I ended up booking a room at Villa de Los Arcos. I arrived in Los Arcos with great expectations. Then, I found out the hotel is over 1 mile outside of Los Arcos on a major highway. So, I took a cab to the hotel which is appended to a gas station and convenience store. To make matters worse, the gas station/convenience store/hotel clerk could not find my reservation and did not speak a word of English. Using my English to Spanish translator App, I was able to book a room at the hotel. So, now, my world was back on its axis. Lesson #1: when traveling to a foreign country, book hotels in advance, do your homework and be sure to download a translator App on your smart phone. My App is great because I can speak into the microphone on my smart phone and the App will translate my words into Spanish. Lesson # 2: when traveling to a foreign country, always be flexible and adaptable to changed conditions, and never lose your cool.
The move to Los Arcos was nice because I had cloud cover, a cool breeze and shade. Most of the terrain was flat, mixed with easy uphill and downhill sections. I saw a total of three other Pilgrims on the trail. My first stop, just outside Estella, was the Bodegas Irache Wine Fountain. The fountain has two spigots-one dispatches wine and the other dispatches water. The water and wine in the fountain symbolize the first miracle Jesus performed, turning water to wine at the Wedding of Cana. Bodegas Irache’s website has a live webcam. Check it out.
I captured some great footage from my drone on the way to Los Arcos. Just before arriving at Los Arcos, a police vehicle patrolling the dirt roads on the Camino stopped and asked if I was okay. I’m sure they detected my age and slow movement and were concerned for my condition. I assured them I was fine and expressed my sincere thanks.
Tomorrow is a 17.1 mile day. Yikes!!
Los Arcos to Logroño-September 4, 2022 (17.1 miles)
I reached a milestone today on the Camino de Santiago. I have walked 106.2 miles! Only 486 miles to go.
Today was a tough day. The trail was similar to the trail to Los Arcos. Only, the heat was unrelenting, I didn’t get much help from the wind, clouds and shade and the distance was 17.1 miles. I shared the Camino with a lot of other Pilgrims, but most of them stopped at Viana, which is only 10 miles from Los Arcos. Viana is a great stopping point, but I needed to gain more distance, so I continued on, seemingly alone, to Logrono. Logrono is a huge city, which reminds me of Los Angeles. I prefer the smaller towns, hamlets and villages in Spain, which provide a more intimate and homey feel.
Tomorrow, I push on to Najera, a walking distance of 18.5 miles.
(photos can be enlarged by clicking on them)
Bodegas Irate Wine Fountain
On the way to Los Arcos
On the way to Los Arcos
On the way to Los Arcos
On the way to Los Arcos
Castle on a hill
Gas station hotel
Cemetery outside of Los Arcos
Approaching Torres del Rio
Vineyard
Viana
Viana
Approaching Logrono
Manhattan in Spain
Buen Camino. I was laughing at your shirt by the water fountain. I had to look closely. At first i thought you had been run over by a large tire that left marks. LOL
Loving the pictures and updates! Nobody at the wine/water spigots when I looked, but fun to see. Take care, Bill!
Bill…you have left it to our own to decide whether you had water or wine or both at the fountain! I’m guess you had a taste of that wine and lots of water!
A small swig of vino Joe. I didn’t want to disappoint you.
Love following your journey! Have you considered a sun umbrella?
Good idea. But difficult to carry with trekking poles.
Bill: I retired from Sheppard Mullin on Sept. 27, 2019, a Friday, and flew to France on Monday, Sept. 30 to walk the Camino. A magnificent walk from start to finish. Took me 29 days. You will get stronger and faster as you go, If you want any hotel recommendations for the route, let me know : they are all fresh in mind, as is every step of the way.
Thanks James.
James- This is Bill’s daughter Lisa and I would love to hear about your hotel recommendations! lisa.giger@gmail.com
Over 100 miles – that is an accomplishment in itself! Don’t rush it enjoy the adventure. Loving the pictures.
Each step you take you take all of us that admire you so much with you. Just be sure you take care of YOU
Congratulations Bill for your amazing trek, averaging more than 15 miles a day. You’re a testament to the human spirit and the sheer grit and relentless determination.
I’m curious whether you carry all your gear on your back or do you have any support? Regardless, I’m completely bowled over your incredible accomplishments.
Love seeing the photos! Amy, Elle and i walked down to Lido Village 6.6 miles in the heat. They are almost ready!!!