Day 18: Zaragoza to Utebo

Date	11 Jul 2025 ( Friday )
Today's Distance:	9 Mi / 15  km
Total This Camino:	137 miles
Total All Caminos:	1755 miles
Route and Stats
Lodging (Deb & I):	€ 61 @ Hostal Batallar
Total Lodging:	$ 1253
Total Airplane(s):	$ 1427
Travel Insurance (Larry):	$ 360
Buses / Trains / Taxis (Deb & I):
Total Buses / Trains / Taxis:	$ 234
Food (Deb & I) :	€ 48
Total Food:	$ 975

On the Road 

6:00 a.m. Wake up. Clean up, breakfast and pack. Finished the meatballs and the stuffed eggplant and manchego. Great breakfast!

7:15 a.m. On the road to Utebo. Relatively short day at 8 Mi. Walking out of the city of Zaragoza. 

9:30 a.m. Making good progress. We've got cloud cover this morning with high humidity. We have been without breeze, but there seems to be a slight one kicking up. 

10:30 a.m. Hot coffee break for me, and pineapple juice for Deb in Monzalbarba. Shoes and socks off. 

11:00 a.m. Back on the road. Might be calling it a day before even noon. Good pacing today.

12:00 p.m. At the hostal Batallar, our lodging for the night. 

Meaningful Moment

Once again having a meal with Deb after we finish our hike. 

We are currently sitting at Ristorante Octovius where we have finished a wonderful mixed salad of lettuce and onions, olives and tomatoes and tuna. 

We followed that with a combination lunch of calamari and shrimp and french fries. 

We're sitting in the shade in comfortable temperatures and with very pleasant staff. 

Soon we will slow walk ourselves back to the hostel to relax for a bit. 

We have been making plans for our last days here. We have reserved a room in Logroño already. 

We'll reserve something in Barcelona later today. And we'll get our train tickets from Logroño to Barcelona.

Our flight leaves Barcelona at about 10:30 in the morning, so it makes more sense to spend a few extra hours in Logroño the day of our departure from that city, rather than trying to squeeze in Barcelona also. 

Besides, Deb and I spent 3 days there 2 years ago. 

We will just get us a room near the airport in Barcelona, hopefully with a place that has shuttle service to the airport.

Random Thought of the Day

Today's 9 Mile hike seemed relatively non-challenging.

Tomorrow we have a 12 mile hike to Cabañas de Ebro, but the weather really seems to be cooperative. Temperatures should not even break 80° until the afternoon.

Had to switch rooms today because the air conditioning wasn't working. 

Seems to me that's the second time this trip that we've had to change rooms for malfunctional air conditioning. 

It's really a big thing here in the afternoon to have to have. I can do without it if I have a fan or open windows for the breeze, but it's just better with air conditioning.

Just booked our train tickets from Logroño to Barcelona. 

Deb made our hotel reservation in Barcelona already. 

And we have a lodging reservation in Logroño. 

So the end of the trip is all set. 

Back at the hostel, there's been a steady rain for more than an hour. But the terrace has a sturdy umbrella under which I am sitting. 

It is very relaxing to be able to sit in the breeze with the falling rain and just chill out.

Along the way

Continuing to follow the Ebro River, northwest out of Zaragoza.

The bridge construction of mankind above and the natural beauty of the river below

Just under 140 Mi underfoot and counting

Leaving Zaragoza behind and returning to the farm Fields

The directional signs caught my attention: how far behind is Zaragoza, how far ahead is Logroño.

Only 100 miles, give or take, to go.

Main Street of Monzalbarba

One of the few days that weather and distance allowed us time to relax with a cafe con leche on the hike.

Looking towards the Castejón mountains, northwest of Zaragoza

Hostal Batallar, at $71 for two people for one night, it is considerably cheaper than many other places around here.

Too sweaty for a supposedly easy day

Guardian Civil Cuartel

"Todo para la Patria"

"All for the Fatherland"

I was telling Deb earlier while we were out for an evening stroll, that I just can't remember any rain at all on this trip. 

Here we are later underneath the umbrella on the terrace at the hostal, as it rains. 

Better now than when we're hiking.