Recently we took my Mom over to Olympic National Park. Ironically, there is no place as beautiful as the rain forest on a sunny day! The air is fresh, the old growth forests are magnificent, and it is quite magical. That is what you get when the rain is measured in feet, not inches, per year. The beaches are pristine and undeveloped because all the way from the Straights of Juan de Fuca almost to Grays Harbor the coast is either Native land or part of the Olympic National Park. What a treasure we have right here in our back yard. The photo is of a 12″ X 16″ oil painting that I did of the amazing “Split Rock” a couple of miles hike up Rialto Beach. I feel a series of paintings coming from this rich imagery. www.marciashaver.com
Author Archives: marciashaver
Awakenings
“Awakenings” is another oil painting in my Lopez Island series. I was standing in almost exactly the same place as the inspiration for “Estuary”. However, it was a different time of day and I was looking the other direction. There is so much beauty to see from the same vantage point every single time we experience it. www.theartistsjourney.com
Estuary
“Estuary” is an oil painting in a series which I have been recently working on centered around the imagery on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington state. The still waters at the base of Fisherman’s Harbor reflects the sky. This is one of many quiet moments spent walking the islands or floating aboard my boat in the islands which I have enjoyed for so many years.
White Villages
In the south of Spain there are many exquisite perched white villages. My husband has a fear of heights, and as we looked far up into the sky at one such village, he said, “You have to be kidding! Who would build a town on a cliff like that? It makes me sick just thinking about getting there.” I replied, “That is where we are staying tonight.”
After climbing to the village along a two way road that is barely wide enough for one cart, we watched the sun set over the mountains toward Portugal. The mountains layered seemingly infinitely in shades of violet, and clinging to the highest point the village of Casares was bathed in golden and pink light.
I spent quite a bit of time reliving this fantasy scene in my studio as I completed this oil painting. It is 24″ X 42″ and has taken on a life of its own in my memory.
Banos de Montemayor to Calzada de Bejar




Distance from Banos de Montemayor to Calzada de Bejar= 7.5 Miles /12 Kilometers
Actual Distance Walked= 12.68 Miles / 20.5 Kilometers
Accommodations= Private Albergue Alba Soraya, 28 places, 8 Euro. This is a friendly, nice Albergue, located just where you need it after finishing the climb out of the valley. They serve very good food upon request.
If you are enjoying this trek along the Via de la Plata, and the imagery, please share this blog with your friends and family. Visit my website at www.theartistsjourney.com to see the complete collection of my artwork or purchase “The Artist’s Journey.”
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Aldeanueva del Camino to Banos de Montemayor
The 4 Spanish Pilgrims, being young, flexible and in love had slept in 2 small beds. We awakened to much sleepy complaining and groaning. However, when I told them we had watched the soccer game until midnight, I had their rapt attention. They were instantly awake. Hearing that the score was Real Madrid 1 / Barcelona 0, all pain was forgotten.
An impromptu fiesta erupted with singing and dancing around the room. I was clapping my hands Flamingo style and laughing at their passionate enthusiasm. What a wonderful way to wake up. Oh, to be that young again!
It was raining so hard that the track was a muddy river. Benny and I chose to walk 10 kilometers along the main road until we reached the town of Banos de Montemayor. The Albergue Turistico was full at 9:30 in the morning, before it was even open, because people had reserved spaces. Benny tried to persuade me to walk on another 12 kilometers but I was intent on having a short day walking with time for the spa. I checked into the very last hotel room in town at the very sweet Hotel Eloy located directly across from the Roman Balneario, or spa. Yeah!
This has been a spa town since Roman times and sits nestled in the lovely mountains. The spa is right where the original baths were situated. From the pools you can look into the original baths, separated from the Romans by only a sheet of glass and 2000 years. The high barrel-vaulted chamber in which the pools sit are constructed of stone in the style of old. The pools are separated by a platform with marble sculptures on them, beautiful reproductions of the originals. Soft music played as the bubble jets massaged my tired back and feet. The small waterfall spilling off of the sculpture splashed soothingly. The only thing missing was the slaves with the massage oil.
Just as we were getting really relaxed our “treatment circuit” began. We had an aroma therapy rain shower, then immersed ourselves in authentic Roman individual marble bathtubs. These filled with hot thermal mineral water and a dash of soothing scent. Here we soaked for 20 minutes. After another rain shower we spent 20 minutes in a hot, steamy sauna with mosaic tiled chairs. One more aromatic rain shower, and we moved to the temperate steam room filled with eucalyptus mists for another 20 minutes. Lights on the ceiling changed colors with the music, forming the constellations. I hated to leave that room, but a hot tiled lounge chair and a refreshing bottle of mineral water awaited us. Ahhhhh. I was barely awake enough to notice that the ceilings were a series of crossing vaults in old brick. It made a beautiful texture and pattern statement, partnered with the intricate wall mosaics of Roman Gods and intertwining designs.
After 30 minutes we returned to the pools, but the attendants would only allow us to bathe in the cold pool because they wanted us to lower our core body temperature. I did not want my temperature lowered, thank you! As soon as the Pool Police left we made a run for the hot pool. When we were eventually discovered, we pretended not to understand and squeezed out another few minutes while he went in search of someone who spoke English. Finally we were ejected, so that was the end of a very lovely and relaxing couple of hours in another world.
As soon as we returned to my hotel, Benny put his pack on and headed for the next town. I will miss his interesting company and intellectual conversation. He is a kind man, and very perceptive. I feel like I have known him far longer than 2 days. After he left, I tucked into the very nice little library in a comfy leather chair for the afternoon.
The Senora made me cafe con leche and let me use her computer to catch up on email.The storm raged ferociously outside, and the power was off and on. I was content to be snug in this lovely, friendly little hotel.
Distance from Aldeanueva del Camino to Banos de Montemayor= 7 Miles /11.5 Kilometers
Actual Distance Walked= 7.75 Miles / 12.5 Kilometers
Accommodations= Hotel Eloy http://www.hoteleloy.com . This was a great little hotel right across the street from the Termes Romana. 40 Euro for 1 person in a double room, breakfast included. They arranged a spa package for me and were very friendly and helpful. There is an Albergue Turistico in town, 12 places, 12 Euro including breakfast, but it was full.
If you are enjoying this trek along the Via de la Plata, and the imagery, please share this blog with your friends and family. Visit my website at www.theartistsjourney.com to see the complete collection of my artwork or purchase “The Artist’s Journey.”
Please help others find this blog by Liking me on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ArtistsJourney Tell your friends!