Day 9, Saturday, August 31st, 2019: Logroño to Ventosa
We left the hotel in Logroño around 5am, loving the fact that today would only be about 12 miles. Never thought I would say hiking 12 miles would be a short hike!
They way out of Logroño was 3 miles of easy hiking. Well marked and easy to follow.
Did I tell you about the little yellow arrows? They are the best way to know if you are still on track. All along the way, tens of thousands of little yellow arrows are painted on signposts, guard-rails, rocks, walls, streets, everywhere! Little messages from God that we are still on the right Camino.
Today’s “Camino Lesson:” Look for the little yellow arrows. God guides our lives in so many ways. He has placed in front of us millions of yellow arrows to show us the way. Pray for His guidance and he will show you the way.
We stopped for coffee and Torta in Navarrete and then continued on to Ventosa through the Rioja vineyards. In Navarrete, we saw the ruins of an old pilgrim Hospital. It was built in 1185. Imagine that...it was built 834 years ago! Over 100 years ago, as it sat in ruins, the people of Navarrete moved the facade to preserve it and it became the entry to the town’s cemetery.
Arriving Ventosa around 10:30, we realized our Albergue did not open to admit pilgrims until 1pm, so we relaxed at a cafe with a couple of beers and walked up to the church. We happened upon 4 Señoras who were just leaving. They gladly opened the church for us to see the beautiful altar and sculptures within. What a treat.
After a lunch of Serrano ham and cheese, we waited outside the Albergue for it to open. We were delighted to see Katherine and Betty from Australia and our friend Melena from Lithuania arrive for the evening as well. Once the Albergue was opened and we were shown to our bunks in a room of 8, we showered and did laundry. We even had the chance to play a game of Cribbage.
It was +90 degree and napping was worthless! I know Spain has fans, but not in the Albergues. Around 6pm, we found our way back to one of the two cafes in the small town and had our dinner. Then it was back to the Albergue for a fitful, sweaty attempt at sleep.
She’s getting so darn quick, she’s a blur!
The sunrise over the Logroño reservoir
Random, anatomically correct bull billboard. Those whacky Spaniards!
The ruins of the pilgrim hospital San Juan de Acre in Navarrete
The restored and relocated hospital entrance
The lovely altar in the church at Ventosa
The Albergue San Saturnino, our home for the night
