Undues de Lerda

Landscapes on the walk yesterday included stretches of agricultural fields, pine forests, and rocky Roman roads, or calzada romanos. Morning overcast skies helped to guard us from the sun, and the heavy rain from the previous night left a few muddy puddles to dodge.

Mist still clung to mountain tops when we left the albergue in the a.m. Our start out of Artieda was at lower elevation past wheat fields. A rustic wood yellow arrow pointed the way at this intersection.

Cloud puffs kept us cool along rolling hills 

before we started to ascend.

Starting the climb

The Yesa Reservoir project could be seen once we were at higher elevations. Begun in 1928, the reservoir opened in 1959. There's plans to raise the water levels to twice what currently exists, which will flood out some of the farms in the area, and the pilgrim path will need to be rerouted.

The abandoned village of Ruesta has an albergue with a bar -- what every pilgrim appreciates this far up! Ruesta was formally sealed off with the construction of the Yesa Reservoir. The ruins are now quartered by chain link fences. Only the albergue managers and 2 other people live among the crumbled buildings.

Dad took off his shoes while crossing a stream.

Part of the path towards Undues de Lerda where we'll stay tonight consisted of Roman roads, which are historical wonders but hard on the feet.

The last steps up towards the Undues albergue

Shell on a building

The quaint town of Undues de Lerda has around 60 residents and includes tourist hotels besides the pilgrim albergue.  

A school's doorway displayed students' artwork.

The Church of San Martin de Tours

Walker Aiko from Japan painted watercolor 

sketches at the albergue.

Pilgrims toasting the day's journey