May 21, 2023. Laguardia Rest Day

Since breakfast was not until 8:30 this morning we took a stroll outside the city walls.

Trees holding hands

After breakfast we wandered out of the walled city and took this dirt road to some ponds that would have had a lot of birds if the ponds hadn’t dried up. Our bird watching comrades were happy to hear and see plenty of birds here.

It was a lovely walk through the vineyards.

Here’s the view looking back at the town of Laguardia.

Back at our hotel they were preparing for the owner’s daughter Elsa’s 1st communion celebration. She’s 8 years old.

We had a very leisurely lunch at our hotel where we sat outside in the sunshine and watched the comings and goings on the square. After an afternoon nap we set out for Bodegas Ysios

down a little dirt road that was headed straight towards the winery. But it turned out to be a dead end so back we went to the hotel for our daily Happy Hour/Meeting at 6. We walked nearly 9 miles today.

After the meeting we went out for a light dinner and ended up at an Irish Pub since most places were closed ’cause it’s Sunday or because they don’t open until 8pm at the earliest. We figured it was a good evening to get to bed early.

When we got back to the Square in front of the hotel we discovered a community band had just begun to play a concert – right under our window.

They were quite good and fun to watch the square fill up with spectators. A pleasant surprise to top off the day.

May 20, 2023. Santo Domingos to Laguardia. Distance: 37 miles. Elevation: 2,680 feet

The weather forecast called for colder and wetter weather than yesterday so we really bundled up today since we got a bit too cold and too wet yesterday. Plastic baggies between our socks and shoes to keep our feet drier. Plastic hotel shower caps over our helmets to keep the rain from dripping down our heads to our necks and beyond. And wouldn’t you know it – we only got a few sprinkles. I felt like I was “hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar”. (Who remembers this quote?)

It was a fairly easy ride today with only about three climbs of 12 – 14% grade. We are now in serious wine country. Here’s what the terrain looked like most of the day.

with an occasional fortress here and there. I felt so protected on this ride.

We got to our hotel Hospederia de los Parajeds in Laguardia around 2pm

where we opened the door to our room and found this palatial place!

And the view from our balcony!

The town square and the path we came in on.

Looking right.

And looking left.

A local red and white – always incredibly tasty.

Every night at 8pm the clock chimes and out come these little dancers for a short jig.

And I’ll close with this sweet bicicleta.

Tomorrow is a rest day.