Thursday, May 9, 2024

7:00 we move through a sleepy Puenta la Reina, out onto wonderful rolling hills. I had suggested to my mates that we walk through a southern detour, up into hills full of conifers and impeccable views of the rural countryside. They eventually agree, and we have a morning of it! The day is sun-filled, pure blue above us at all hours. Estella to Los Arcos is a dream walk. It is neither difficult nor stressful. I walk across the boundary of town. I find a bench, lie back onto my pack, and blissfully sleep for an hour until Paul and Catherine poke me awake with their trekking poles. We walk into town, snoop, prod, ponder, and document. Paul returns to the flat, Jess spots friends in the square, and my French Canadian mates call me for some jibing and giggles. Soon enough, I return to the albergue, dig into the quilt, and fall into a deep sleep for tomorrow’s light travails.

Today’s distance walked: 25.1 km    |    Total distance walked: 181.21 km

“It is solved by walking.” — Saint Augustine (and Jean-Jacques Rousseau)