May 22, 2023. Laguardia to Estella. Distance: 42 miles Elevation: 3,190 feet

We got off to an early-ish start today. First thing we did was to start climbing up and over the Sierra de Cantabria Mountain Range.

Once up and over the top we crossed a wide river valley with gently rolling hills.

About 5 kilometers out of Estella (our destination) we stopped at an old monastery (built in the 12th century)

that has a Fountain of Wine

where we filled our water bottles – just kidding – we just had a taste or two. It was pretty good.

It’s mainly for the pilgrims passing along the Camino de Santiago. We met a young pilgrim there who was from Connecticut!

We got to our hotel around 2pm

showered and explored this cathedral/fortress right across from our hotel.

Note the light colored building across from the steps is our hotel.

Church of San Miguel

The highlight of this visit was when one of our fellow cyclists Chuck stepped up to the alter area and sang the hymn “How Great though Art”. Turns out he has an amazing baritone voice and he loves to sing in these old cathedrals just to experience the incredible acoustics. It was truly breath taking.

Later we walked across the bridge for a group dinner right on the river shore.

And here is Estella at dusk on our walk back to the hotel.