Camino: Navarette to Najara

08/05/19
Another short day through lush vineyards on my way to Najara. At a confusing fork in the road, I conferred with a new pilgrim friend. Once we landed in the middle of a field of grapevines, we retraced our steps & paid better attention to signage. As my Canadian friend & I solved all the world's problems, we enjoyed vineyard & the waterfront views from a cafe in Najara.

Najara's Monasterio de Santa Maria la Real is spectacular. The 11th-century church was built by King Garcia III whose falcon flew into a cave where he discovered a virgin statue that now lives in the original cave tucked inside the monastery.

I scored with a cozy room that even had a bathtub (woo hoo!)
18k to Najara (population 8500)

Today's fun trailmate, Sam

Eddie's birthday dinner in Najara

The monastery in Najara

The virgin from the cave

Camino: Logrono to Navarette

07/05/19
After an invigorating day in the larger city of Logrono, I had purposefully planned a short day to rest my legs & take in the picturesque town of Navarette.

Navarette is tucked smack dab in the middle of mile after mile of exceptional winemaking. The region produces over 250 million liters annually (85% are reds) & has one of the higher per capita incomes in Spain due to its over 500 wineries. I'm at risk of developing a real thing for Rioja Reserve. For some reason, wine served in Spain doesn't give you a splitting headache like a night of red wine can back in the states. Trust me, I've tested this theory.

Navarette's cathedral on its sparkling town square did not disappoint.  I had a special evening, taking the public bus to a nearby town to enjoy a birthday dinner with a fellow pilgrim pal & one of my initial "Camino Family" members. You don't realize how much of a foreigner you are until you navigate local buses in a country where you have minimal communication skills. I luckily ended up in the right town. Salud!
14k to Navarette (population 2900)

Marcelino has completed over 50 Caminos

Not sure why this large toro looms over tiny Navarette

Stunning cathedral in tiny Navarette