Camino Day 8 - Logroño to Najera - 18.4 miles

Today was pretty hard. Not as hard as the first day, even though it was two miles more (I don't think anything could be harder than the first day), today was just demoralizing. It didn't start out too bad, but the sun came up with a mission around 9:00 and it was brutally hot for the next six hours.

The closer we get to Burgos and the Meseta, the more unforgiving the climate is, getting drier and hotter by the day, the terrain offering little to no shade for sometimes hours at a time. It's taking a particular toll on Tiffany though I really admire her ability to really put her head down and press through. Her feet are pretty rough, with multiple blisters as well as a bit of heat rash. I taught her how to run a thread through and drain them and the Compeed plasters are certainly helping, but it's still painful to hike all day. Her strength and willpower show the moment you mention skipping or resting a day though so we press on.

Fortunately tomorrow is a light day at 13 miles to Santo Domingo. I think with waking up early around 5:00 and getting on the Camino by 6:00, we can hit it hard before the heat turns up.

Buen Camino.