Logrono to Najera (Camino de Santiago)

Clear skies and a gentle breeze greeted us as we walked with headlights out of Logrono. The day’s route was nearly nineteen miles on a flat track. At sunrise we passed Lake Planano de la Grajera with its dam lined with early morning fishermen. The area was quite lush and we were treated to the sight of a native squirrel with its brown furry coat and white chest, our first non domesticated animal. As the day went on my shin splints ached but it looks like I can continue. I arrived in Najera around 1pm and was able to get a bed in the municipal alberque for a donation of a few euros. Some of the guests complained that they found bedbugs but I inspected the mattress and decided to stay. Had a nice shower and caught up on my laundry before heading out for food and wine. Tim and I smoked one of the cigars I had brought from home before calling it a day. * I think I had my small camera stolen. It was a cheap little digital but sucks that I may have lost all of my images up to now, very disappointing. (Camera was found a couple of weeks later at the bottom of my pack under the plastic garbage bag I had used as a liner) Journal: The wheat fields have given away to vineyards. The red clay earth of Rioja with its stunted ancient grape vines is so dramatic with the always blue sky breaking the horizon. I sat on a small concrete block, drank from my water bottle and just felt the moment.