A Hike Around Logrono...

It was a nice Friday afternoon in Logrono, and so I packed my backpack with water and some snacks and I went down by the Ebro River and hiked up a rocky hill that took me over the highest point of the city. I had lived in Logrono for nearly a year and I had never done this. A friend of mine recommended it to me, actually, and so the very next day I went.

Here's the Stone Bridge that crosses the Ebro River. You can see three churches in the background, all located in the Old Part of the city.

The walk up the hill took me through several vineyards, and just yesterday was the first day of the autumn grape harvest for many farmers. The grapes I came across were definitely ready to be picked; they were deep purple and in big thick clusters, hanging from the scraggly grape vines, covered with green and red and violet leaves.

Here is one of the vineyards with Logrono in the background. Logrono is basically in a large valley, and you can see the hills all around it in the distance.

Nobody was looking, so I snatched some grapes to keep me going on the hike. They were all of the 'tempranillo' varietal, which is probably the most common of grapes from La Rioja and Logrono. They're small, red, and they have several small seeds in each one; so, while they taste good, you have to eliminate the seeds as you go. I prefer drinking wine, as do most Spanierds.

The little unripened green grapes. I don't think these will be ready this year.



Here we have the RiojaForum on the left of the picture (a big concert hall), the Plaza de Toros in the center (the Bullfighting Ring), and the rest of the city behind.

The Ebro River twists a few times and flows beneath four or five bridges within the Logrono city limits. Grassy green parks skirt the river and provide it and the people coverage from most of the regular city life.

Here's one of the peaks I climbed with some other hikers (who probably drove up; ha!).





Two days later I took another trek outside the city to visit the largest park in the area, called la Grajera. La Grajera is also on the route of the famous Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), the Christian pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. I didn't see any pilgrims walking the path with their giant packs, hiking sticks, and funny accents (many of them are from Germany, Belgium, Norway, France............ so on.) It's a little late in the season to be doing the 'Camino'.

Here is the symbol of the 'Camino', the shell, which I think was used as a rudimentary tool way back in the days of the first pilgrims. Anyways, it's a beautiful walk. Lots of nice Spanish countryside.

There is a big manmade lake at la Grajera. There are many trails around it, and it's a santuary for many breeds of animals and birds.



I hung out at the park for a few hours and then took the bus back into town, walking one way was enough, as it's like an hour's back to the city center where I live. I found a nice tree away from all the other 'campers' and people celebrating their Sunday having barbecues and picnics, and I had myself a nice relaxing read and write session, listening to the birds and the trees and watching couples and families walk past on the dirt trails. Gotta take advantage of the weather, y'know! We'll see if I can get out a few more days this year... it's starting the rainy winter season soon.

Better than all that snow though.