Monday, May 18, 2015
Today, like yesterday, was a great day for a walk in Spain. I left Los Arcos at about 8:00. The weather was perfect, temperatures in the low 60s and very little breeze. The path was mostly flat so a great time to enjoy the peace of the walk. The fields are mostly wheat, some of which is starting to turn from green to golden yellow indicating that wheat harvest can’t be too far away. I did pass some olive groves and saw a man pruning the trees and I passed a vineyard and also saw a group of people pruning the vines. This make me recall a recent Gospel reading and homily by Dan about pruning. Maybe we can all be more fruitful if we shed some unnecessary things, travel a little lighter, put aside some irrational fears, all that hold us back.
There was a nice hill climb and requisite steep descent as the temperatures rose and I shed a long sleved shirt to walk the rest of the day in short sleves. I got some great pictures as I entered the towns of Sansol, Torres del Rio and Viana where I stopped for lunch of eggs and asparagus. In one of the pictures a fellow pilgrim even posed for me. Of course there was a beautful church Viana where I got my piligram’s passport stamped. Leaving Viana and entering Logrona also meant that I left the provence of Navarre and entered the provance of La Rioja. For Spanish wine drinkers, I’m sure you’ve heard of Rioja. I expect the fields of wheat of the last week to be replace with even more vineyards as I continue to head West.
The walk today was the longest segment so far as I managed to cover about 18 miles and arrive in Logrona at 3:15 PM. I’m here for two days to give my legs and feet a rest before some more rather long segments and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the capital of La Rioja, the churches and maybe a little wine.
Tom
Tom on the Camino 
Indeed, it sounds like a great day for walking!
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I live the picture of the hard-boiled eggs and the asparagus … and I bet that’s a glass of Ovaltine sitting next to it ! Enjoy your two days of rest … you deserve it !
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Great Pictures Dad! And your poetic narratives describing your journey are wonderful!! Thank you for sharing and allowing us to vicariously walk along with you!
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The eight o’clock Mass community prayed for you at the petitions this morning.
What wonderful pictures. My favorite is the one in shadow – spectacular. How many miles have you walked, and what does your backpack weigh?
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Hi Diane,
My pack weighs about 9 lbs and I’ve walked about a 5th of the way — a little over a 100 miles. More to go!
Tom
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BTW Diane, according to my Fitbit, I have taken 232,438 steps. More to go!
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Tom, thanks for the updates. You are doing a great job. I do indeed know about wine from that region and I love it (Bassa) is one of my favorites. Keep up the good work. I am.praying for you
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Well Tom, I’d say the walk is everything you hoped it would be. I’m so happy for you. Keep the pictures and commentary coming. Mary
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