Day 6 - Estrella to Los Arcos - 13.42 miles

I got another early start at 6:45 this morning. There were two routes - one was a climb into the mountains and away from the highway and noise. The other was the lower elevation near the road. I chose the mountain path through the woods. It promised to have better views of the valley below and the sunrise from there was beautiful!!!

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

I love Frost's poem, and today reminded me why. Whether it is today's hike up the hill or any challenging, and sometimes scary, path we take in our lives - we usually find that it is well worth the effort.

Anyway, getting back to today's hike, the walk went by very quickly, and I definitely didn't need to get here so early! I actually arrived at this sign for Los Arcos and said "Wow! Isn't this where I am staying tonight!?" It is a very small town with limited sightseeing opportunities. Even the church is closed! So I grabbed a coffee until I could check in at the hotel. Usually, I only expect to leave my pack until later, but every day my room has been ready (including these days that I arrive so early!). As I mentioned to Robert, these hotels and albergues really must hustle after the peregrinos leave to turn the rooms, and many of them only have the owners doing all the work!

Sunrise

Sunrise hitting the opposing mountains

One of highlights coming out of Estrella is the Fuente De Vino (fountain of wine!!!) in Irate. It was only about a mile from my hotel, so I wanted to walk there last night. I had heard it is not operating in the morning, and who wants wine at 6am! I'm not sure if there is wine until it's gone or if it is turned on and off. Whatever the case, I eeked out enough to try a sip. The fountain is connected to the Bodega de Irate, which I thought I might also visit, as well as the Museo de Vino. Both were closed!☹️

Fuente de Vino

The way to Los Arcos

So I sit at the cafe in the center town square having my mushroom risotto for lunch. Today's stop is obviously only for the people who hiked with a booking company. Many are couples or people I have seen before at other stops. There is one Chinese man who is always alone. I see him at every stop touring and eating alone, which is really unfortunate for this trip. The best part is meeting and enjoying the people. As I sit here I am also watching two young, Spanish moms (locals) with their two 5-year-old boys. The moms are having glasses of wine while the boys have popsicles!

One of the Spanish women I met on the walk is actually thinking of taking a bus back to Estrella tonight. The Church of St. Michael has been having these wonderful classical concerts all summer. There was one last night - I enjoyed hearing them practicing, but it was sold out. This woman said the viola player there tonight is very well known in Barcelona, and she would really like to go! 3 1/2-4 hours of hiking is really only a 20 minute car ride!🙄.

Well, I will actually get this finished before dinner this evening. Buenos Tardes!!