9/17 Granon on the way to Belorado
9/17 Leaving Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado
Today, as I post about yesterday’s walk, what I remembered was the dirt road. Looking at the photos, there was so much more.
The bridge leaving Santo Domingo, the shrine that has been replaced when washed away by floods, and yet another Michael Jackson graffiti. I see his name scrawled on walls every few days.
9/17 Stage Twelve: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado
This was a pretty easy, but monotonous walk. It’s like that sometimes. It is easy for me to find beauty in the lush greens, small creeks hidden among the shadows, the fruit-laden vineyards. I must pause longer and look at greater vistas to notice the many muted colors in the plowed fields and dirt roads. I try. But then soon stare at the horizon hoping to see the tip of the village cathedral.
9/16 Santo Domingo
9/16 To Santo Domingo
The Parador of Santo Domingo is a hotel that occupies a 12th century hospital that was built by Santo Domingo next to the cathedral.
I knew the Paradors were fancy hotels occupying historical buildings, but I didn’t grasp how cool it would be to stay in one.
This parador has museum halls, many of which display religious artifacts, but there is also a beer stein hall, and a few other non religious halls.
9/16 Stage Eleven: Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Many of these small villages depend primarily on Camino pilgrim euros. The village of Cirueña, shown at the top of the hill on the elevation map, has no surviving business after the Covid lockdown. There were two albergues, a cafe/bar, and a market that I know of. They thoughtfully provided a sheltered place (like a large store room) with a picnic table and vending machines as you top the hill and another vending machine on the way out of town.
This day could have been brutal if it’d been hot. All day on open roads with few shade options or villages along the way.
9/15 To Najera: Pilgrims from Barcelona, Germany, Holland
9/15 To Najera: Paths
Very few elevation changes today which made for an almost leisurely walk. Walked along with a couple of new friends and with some familiar faces. Gathering my Camino family.
9/15 to Najera: Ventosa
9/15 Stage Ten: Navarette to Najera
A lovely day for a walk. Mostly flat, cooler temps, early cloud cover.
Leaving Navarette. Road construction in the old villages looks a lot different!
Villagers are so helpful. These guys happily obliged my photo request.
And then, there’s the pretty kitty.
Finally, the path leaves the village.
9/14 Navarette Pottery
Navarette remains a major pottery center and has been so since the 16th century.
