San Esteban de Gormaz 9 October 2019

Internet too slow to add photos, will try later

My shortened day yesterday necessitated walking 30 km or 18 miles today. So I started walking at 7 am while it was still very dark. It was no problem as the first nine km were along the paved road from Caracenas to Fresno de Caracenas. No problem as I could hardly get lost and there was only one vehicle that passed by me the entire time. It was daylight by then and I left the pavement to cross over a few valleys until I was finally along the Duero river to finish my days walk. The Duero is a long river that goes all the way to the Atlantic Ocean in Porto, Portugal. I had previously been on portions along Zamora in Spain and the Duero wine region of Portugal, as well as Porto. Also Kathy and I had driven through here exactly ten years ago on our way from the La Rioja wine region to Segovia . Since it is a big river, it meant that most of today's walk was a descent to the river. Unfortunately, crossing it means that the next few days to Burgos will be mostly uphill.
I arrived here about 12:30 pm and checked into an hostel that also had a menú diario-see the photos. The Eroski supermercado is closed between 2 and 5 pm, but I will will walk back there to stock up on food. I haven't been able to find a grocery since Sigüenza on Saturday (nothing open in Atienza on Sunday, nothing at all in the small villages on Monday and Tuesday and questionable availability tomorrow). I will stock up and continue on tomorrow. Life is good!!