Villatuerta to Los Arcos

Today I got a ride to Los Arcos and Jerry and Dennis walked here. Yesterday I got overheated and was covered in a heat rash so we decided I would take a taxi here, partly because the Villatuerta to Los Arcos stretch is through farmlands with no shade and also because it was going to be a 16 mile day. But I have the best trail angel story for my experience today. Jerry and Dennis left at 6:00 am and I sat downstairs to wait for the owner to come so I could have him call a taxi for me. Well at 8:00 am I was still waiting. Then I hear noise upstairs and down comes a woman obviously not a peregrina carrying 2 shopping bags. Then her husband follows down the stairs dressed for hiking. He speaks English so I explain what I'm doing and he says, "Not a problem, my wife will drive you to Los Arcos." He explained that he walks the camino while his wife drives to the next town and shops. Then they meet and stay in an albergue and do the same thing the next day. His name is Angel and he certainly was one. We drove to Estella and they bought me breakfast. Then Angel started walking and Rosie and I drove to Los Arcos. When we got here she walked me ro the church, told me how beautiful it was, checked when it opened, and wished me buen camino. Then while I was having coffee in the plaza waiting for the church to open 2 peregrinos sat down near me and we got to talking. It was a mom and her son, both from Philadelphia. Well turns out he is a triple crown guy, PCT, CDT, and AT. He has films of all of these and gave me his business card so I could share it with Jerry and Dennis. Then on top of all that he is moving to Ashland when he finishes the Camino. So what started out to be a tearful day for me turned out to be a delightful one. Jerry and Dennis got in at 1:30, hot and tired. I booked a private room in our albergue for Jerry and I, we actually have regular towels and sheets, it's those little things you appreciate, all for 35 euros.Read more