Having your door directly across from the communal bathroom stalls may sound like an enviable position, but I assure you, it is not worth paying extra for. We got up early, at the encouragement of all the other pilgrims heard outside our door. A beautiful sunrise illuminated our path as we crossed the historic bridge of the appropriately named village, Puente de la Reina. Shortly after starting out we hit a steep climb that took every bit of energy scavenged from the night. While struggling up the incline, a cuckoo bird called from the bushes, perhaps pronouncing a judgement upon our mental capacities for trying to do this with a loaded stroller and three small children. The Spaniards think the bird brings fortune. If so, this one didn’t deliver. We did walk a section of a Roman road and one of their bridges, appropriately placed at kilometer 100 of our Camino. Thank you, Caesar, for thinking of us. We met many other pilgrims from places such as Pennsylvania, Norway, Alaska, Madrid, and Korea. Crystal single-handedly demoralized one large group of struggling pilgrims. Grant started crying while we were trudging up a hill and without slowing, she slung him over her backpack, and continued passing other pilgrims. Everyone knows not to mess with us now. Shortly before we arrived at our destination, we spotted a flock of perhaps 60 vultures circling. I think they saw we were tired. Thankfully we didn’t lie down. About 2:00 we arrived in Estella, full of impressive historic chapels, cathedral, bridges, and a castle, none of which we will visit since we headed straight for food. We checked into our albergue and were pleased to find we have our own bathroom. Luxury. Number of hats that we have lost along the way: 1 Number of steps: 31,071 Next stop: Los Arcos Percentage Completed: 14.6%
