Ups and downs. Highway walking. Flat, gravel paths. A snail’s pace on the ups n downs, and a shift into high gear on the flats.
9/13 To Viana: Today’s Paths
9/13 To Viana: Animals of the Day
One skittish kitty and one very affectionate dog.
The fellow petting the dog is Pilgrim Damo, from Northern Ireland.
9/13 To Viana: Where’s the Arrow?
I walked out of Los Arcos to a highway intersection. Stood, scanning, scanning for an arrow pointing to the Camino. Zilch. Three options: left, right, straight. No arrow. No pilgrim. Me standing looking lost. Then, beep! Beep! A guy at the intersection rolling down his car window, “Camino!” With large sweeps of his arm showing me the way. Off I went. It took the help of two other villagers before I found my way.
9/13 Stage Eight. Los Arcos to Viana
A strange day of steep ups and downs, highway walking, and flat gravel paths. A guidebook said this section is referred to as the “knee breaker.”
9/12 to Los Arcos
Today’s paths: A mountain and a dry, hot, flat road.
Luckily, had a private room at an albergue. But I had to share the bathroom with the two guys next door.
9/12 to Los Arcos: Animales del Dia
One shepherd, two dogs, and a bunch of sheep.
The excited dogs raced to the water tank. One finally got so excited he dived into the tank. Then panicked because there was no climbing out. The shepherd shook his head, sauntered to the tank while the dog is thrashing and wild-eyed, grabs the dog by the scruff, and hauls him out of the tank.
9/12 to Los Arcos: At Rest
Irache Wine Fountain
9/12 to Los Arcos
Irache, Spain on the edge of Estella.
The Irache Winery was established in 1891. Their wine fountain is a favorite stop and photo op.
9/12 Stage Seven: Estella to Los Arcos
22 km / 14 miles
I thought that pointy part would be The Challenge of the Day, but it was after the point on the 11.7 km of shadeless path in the heat of the day that won the Are You Kidding Me! ribbon.
9/11 Wildlife!
*Came across a very happy black dog leaping and rolling in a deep mud puddle.
- A dog who plays fetch with passing pilgrims. He drop his toy over the fence to us and wait for us to throw it back in the park for him to fetch.
- A yard full of happy dogs pushing their noses through the fence waiting for pets and coos from pilgrims.
