Road To Segovia, Spain

 

Leaving Pamplona, I am on A-12 southwest bound towards Logrono.

 

Soon I am bypassing roadside vineyards with distant desert and mountain landscape in the background.

 

 

Signs show various wineries along the route that I assume can be visited and toured.

 

As the odometer spins, the road takes on climbs, descents and steep curves to compliment the changing geography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jagged hills and dense green vegetation have me thinking, “Majestad purpura de Montana”.

Purple Mountain Majesty

 

 

 

Next a small town almost hidden in a lush green valley with rolling hills comes into view.

 

 

 

 

A city hall or church steeple that seems to give the town it's unique signature prominently stands out from all the other town buildings.

This portion of the drive is awesome. Occasionally, I have to pull aside to let others that may not feel the same way as I do pass.

 

A roadside stop and I am at “Ermita De La Virgen de los Nogales”. A church from the 1700's.

 

Just across the street from “Ermita De La Virgen de los Nogales” is Hostal Los Nogales.

 

 

 

 

With a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi, Hostal Los Nogales present a good opportunity for an afternoon break.

 

 

 

A cold local beer on a hot afternoon and I settle down with my travel companion, Acer. It is time to get caught up on e-mails and review the rest of my Spain itinerary.

 

From the menu board my first choice of Pollo Grisado is sold out for the day so Calamores Tinta will have to do.

 

 

 

Based on my Calimocho experience in Pamplona I have no trouble figuring out “Tinta”. It has to have something to do with wine which makes it an excellent choice.

 

Served with fresh bread, the calamari takes on a nice flavor in the wine sauce.

Another order of bread is required to prevent any wine from being left behind. A relaxing lunch and it is an hour or two before I am back on the road again.

 

Leaving Hostal Los Nogales, more mountainous terrain as I navigate around a huge lake.

 

 

 

Now on N111 traveling through La Rioja region of Spain, I enter Tunel de Piqueras a very cool mountain tunnel.

 

 

 

 

My driving scenery is transformed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilometers and small towns whiz by and then the road traverses wide open farm lands.

My surroundings become familiar again on N110.

 

I circumnavigate Soria and don’t get too excited when I see signs again for El Burgo de Osma. I now know America’s Most Wanted is not there.

Chasing the sun west, I continue on to Segovia.

 

 

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