This is a view of the town church in Los Arcos, Spain. The fields are in bloom, and the view is essentially unchanged from what a pilgrim might’ve seen hundreds of years ago. While I was painting, a man on a horse rode by! I went to a service the night before at this church. All in Spanish, so of course I had no idea what was going on. But it was quite full with people, and the church interior itself is stunning, full of gold leaf and polychromed statues. Yesterdays ride to get here of about 25 km was through beautiful pastoral countryside. After I finished this drawing I left about noon and went about 30 km. to Logrono, which is one of the bigger towns on the Camino France. I passed her a couple beautiful towns: Sansol, Torres de Rio,and Viana. All much prettier places than where I ended up. Usually I’m traveling on the walking/biking trail, but someone had told me to avoid a certain stretch where there were a lot of difficult up and downs for bicycles, so I went on the road for about 10 km. I met a couple of Belgium guys who had biked from Belgium, all on road, averaging about 100 km a day. They were all decked out with expensive bikes and camping equipment. I had the impression, and certainly other walkers do, that bike riding was easier than walking. Of course, it’s faster, but I find that I put out more energy, especially going up in the hills where I often have to get off and push the bike. I don’t recall ever panting with effort when I was walking. And I see how riding a bike puts you out of the community. I’m meeting and talking to people, but I’m not seeing the same people. I’m a little too fast for the walkers, but not fast enough for the real experienced bicyclists. I actually don’t like being a bicyclist. Technically this route is both a bicycle and walking trail, but it really is more for walkers. And the spirit of the experience is a walking experience. I can however see how it works better in the service of the “sketchbook Camino,” giving me more time to explore. 6x9 inches or 15 x 22 cm, water color and ink. #pleinairpainting#watercolorandink #stillmanandbirn #portablepainter #losarcos #olivegroves (at Los Arcos) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccw9emzs-5t/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
