From the parador to a tent

We were worried that 14 were too few and 42 too many so we found a place to stay at 25 km. Perfect. But wait there are no beds available, just a thin plastic mat. on the floor of a tent. We decided it was the way to go, with out fingers crossed that it doesn't rain. 

We left the parador with a nice view of the cathedral below. 

But then we had a bit of trouble getting out of Tortosa.  There are two walking routes, one along the canal parallel to the Ebro, and the other a "Via Verde", a public rail to trails route. We were looking for the Via Verde but after a half hour or so, a police officer pointed is to the canal route and told us it would connect with the rail route. Sure enough, 2 kms later, we were on the way to our destination of the Benifallet albergue. 

The canal has the advantage of a soft surface but no shade. The old RR tracks have been paved but there is shade. So we stuck to the tracks. 

After our coffee stop in Xerta, where we met some old (like me) US hippies who were starting a goat farm, the route got really beautiful. Lots of gorgeous river views and an impressive dam, with a few old RR tunnels interspersed. 

So we are in the old railroad station, 4 km from a town so we will stay put here). It's quite the happening place, with all sorts of groups out for a bike ride--families, friends, tourists.

 The restaurant here draws a big crowd, but now it is getting quiet so we can go to our tent and check things out.