This is a peaceful flock of Spanish sheep just after I crossed the border into Spain. Days later in the hills near Torrecampo I had a Jodie Foster moment when I went past a sheep slaughter house. But this particular day I had the opportunity to cycle on a highway closed for construction for about a 20 kilometer stretch. The silence and lack of automobiles was fantastic while it lasted. (7/04/04)

A bull billboard above the sunflower fields in Andalusia. I am not sure if you get a sense of its scale from the photo, but it was enormous. Andalusia was great cycling. (7/05/04)

This is Sevilla, at the Plaza Espana. Sevilla was fantastic - I stayed there for two more days after my arrival and stuffed my face with as much tofu as possible. I also met a Dutch cyclist in Sevilla who had been through India - by chance we later met in Cordoba a couple of days later. (7/06/04)

This is a Spanish house of worship in Sevilla that dominated the Santa Cruz barrio. Sevilla knows holy; the cathedral was inspiring, the scent of incense was in the air, and music that sounded like a choir of angels could be heard. The interior also held the tomb of Christopher Columbus along with other various relics. (7/07/04) *

I am preparing my first camp-cooked meal in Cordoba on my stove that can burn any flammable substance known to humankind. What the picture does not show is the giant fire-ball that subsequently came out of the burner, causing the French nearby to rush over. I assured them that all was under control. I since learned that my ignition technique was incorrect. Pasta and tomato sauce was the menu of the evening. I´m on the college diet again! I saw a fantastic open-air concert that evening with a classical Spanish guitarrist and singer - a really memorable performance. I was happy to be there. (7/08/04) *

Changing my first flat tire on the way from Cordoba toward the mid-country Sierras. This was a tough day of cycling (it was about forty km of elevation change, including marked 10% grades through a national park with no water) followed by a rough night sleeping in a drainage ditch in sheep and cattle ranching country (there were no hotels or campgrounds). My sleep was interrupted by what I imagined to be predators in the grass (which in the morning turned out to be bunny rabbits). (7/10/04)

This is sunrise after the night in the ditch, as I was approaching Torrecampo and later Ciudad Real. It was the earliest I have ever begun my day´s ride, and it was nice cycling through the morning chill. If you click on this photo once, and then click on it again (or any other photo in this gallery for that matter), it will get very large. Then you can make out the sheep, some of which are staring at me mid-chew. This is invariably the reaction of rural animals that I have encountered thus far. I think it is funny. Hey, here is another suggestion for viewers - if you select the slideshow option with a one or two second delay it gives you a pretty cool chronology of the trip thus far - BTW, thanks for the use of the gallery English Dave! 7/11/04)

A deserted street in Toledo the evening of my arrival. The city is set on a hilltop above the river, and was a welcome sight to see after several days of the countryside. Toledo is the city of marzapan and swords - two items it will sell for all eternity. That night a group of Scandanavians touring Europe on their Vespa scooters set up camp next to mine. 7/12/04) *

The Prado in Madrid - goodness, all the Goya. I am so glad to be in Madrid, although it was a slightly white- knuckle entry getting in when I was forced for a few kilometers on a six-lane freeway. But that´s how it is in the capital, and it was not that big of a deal. The city itself is very exciting, elegant and sophisticated - do not believe the naysayers. There is a definite charm to the Spanish capital. (7/15/04)