6 October Atapuerca to Burgos

Our coldest day yet on earth the Camino! On the road just before sun up and greeted by fog, cold and multiple cold and lonely travelers accompanying us on the trail.

The wind blew enhancing the chill already provided by the low temperatures and the dampness. Brenda with knit ski cap and gloves and me with four layers of thermal shirts to keep me warm.

Today there was time to get used to the trail; from the very start it was an uphill climb and the first 2+ miles was over what seemed to be razor-sharp rocks .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was three hours or so before we finally could stop someplace to get a hot cup of coffee and shake off some of the chill.

as we left the small café, the sky began to clear and we he sun brought some degree of warmth. finally bringing the feeling back to our fingers!

As we walked, we discussed the options for the days hike.

Estrella, our hostess from last night highly recommended an alternate path which would take us off the Camino and through a wooded path rather than the standard route which led through an industrial area.
She was clear that it was not well marked at the onset, but once you were on the trail it would be relatively easy to follow.

There was some confusion between us as to understanding at what point we would get off the standard trail if we decided to take the alternate route.

About 5 miles along the trail as we rounded a curve and crossed a small river, we saw a whole group of pilgrims going down a side path. We stopped and checked our GPS, once again discussing the options, and decided to take a chance2 on the alternate trail; we’re very glad we did!

The recommended route, the official route, goes through heavily industrialized areas with lots of factories and commercial noise, and very little else to see except miles and miles of asphalt road.

The alternative route, (alternatively :-), took us through miles of forest and villages, which by now I’m sure you understand is much more to our liking.

there was some great graffiti that Brenda could add to our collection. A great example of which is this wall art on the side of the bakery, which describes in details the process of making bread from field to market!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARRIVING IN BURGOS

A large city with an abundance of beautiful architecture, and well documented history greeted us upon our arrival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS OF BEAUTY

Some might say that that the high lights of Burgos are the awe inspiring examples of architecture found in the many buildings which have maintained their beauty and integrity for centuries. Others will simply say “visit any of the famous churches and cathedrals” or the “ museum of human evolution”; all of which are important and testaments to the great historical significance of the region.  BUT let’s not forget the historical significance of another source of inspiration found in the region; vino!

introduced to the region by Phoenician’s over 3,000 years ago the Tempranillo grape has made an impact on wine cultivation and development for over 30 centuries!

During the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks were crucial to its proliferation and development, establishing vineyards and wineries for liturgical and commercial use. They also refined viticultural practices that continue to influence winemaking.
In the late 1800’s, phylloxera  devastated French vineyards and wine makers fled to Spain bringing their cultivation and wine making techniques with them; bringing an already well established industry to a whole new level and establishing the  Tempranillo grape and the Rioja region to worldwide acclaim