A shorter amount of walking today, for which the lower half of my body is extremely grateful. The day also included a visit to a government-sponsored free wine fountain and a spectacular winery!

The winery was the Marqués de Riscal, and the exquisite building attached to it was designed by Frank Gerry. The tour was super cool because it’s harvest time, and the dark, sweet, juicy, sticky grapes were being sorted, de-stemed, and crushed right before my eyes. The fresh grapes were divine tasting, and the rioja wine made from them was too.

Lastly I visited a cathedral in the city of Logroño that holds a small Michelangelo, and I do believe I was very nearly pick pocketed; when I unconsciously performed my automatic pocket-checking routine, I discovered a previously Velcroed-shut pocket opened and a credit card, my driver’s license, and hotel room card were pulled halfway out. Feeling really lucky right now. The day could have ended much differently!

So, beware dark churches.

Live all you can. And check your pockets.