Estella to Los Arcos

After a good nights sleep we wanted to get a quick start so we planned to eat breakfast on the way to the trail. The best option was a gas station/convenience store. The choices were limited but in actuality pretty good. We quickly ate and got on trail by 8:30. Just outside the city we came upon a blacksmith shop.He had some interesting items out front so we went in. The amount of items in his inventory was impressive. I was able to ask him some questions about his trade despite my broken Spanish and his broken English. Each of his children are artists but none have followed him into the blacksmithing trade. He had one piece I would’ve purchased but it was too expensive to ship and I wasn’t going to carry it the 400 plus miles we had left. 
Next was a winery which had a free  tap for samples but I passed due to the early morning hour.

At the two mile mark we had a choice to go left or right. Distance wise they were about the same, the way left might include a bit more elevation gain. We chose left because it would take us into the wooded forest of Montejurra. It was a special hike through woodlands and we only saw a few others along the way. The highlight though was a herd of sheep and shepherd along with his dog crossing the road to new pasture. 

Stopping for lunch in the town of Luquin. It seemed to be a bar and restaurant. There was also a local pool and community center. We ordered drinks and ate some bread and cheese left in our packs from a previous day along with some grapes and paprika Pringles which are quite tasty but as far as I know aren’t sold in the USA. Rejoining the main Camino route we passed by fields of asparagus. The six mile walk after lunch was pleasant enough but we were happy to see the church steeple in the distance  just a mile or two away.

Once in the city, showered and feeling refreshed we did what hikers do and went for a walk visiting the cathedral. Then it was time for supper. In Spain people eat late so sometimes the main menu isn’t served until after 7 or later. Los Arcos is a small town (pop 1200) and dining options are limited. Pilgrims like to eat early so that’s  when you meet new friends or reconnect with others you haven’t seen for a few days.Then it was back to our lodging and off to sleep.Today was 13.5 miles but it seems our legs are getting stronger. It was the most enjoyable hiking of the trip so far.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES TO… Vianna only 11 miles away