Croatia photos

partway up the climb
Mljet harbor
mljet sunset

Peggy along the Adriatic
Our captain with our dinner
Peggy along a descent

Pomena, Mljet island

We had two rides today, starting with a steep climb much like some of the california climbs. The road kept going up and around. It was twisty enough that a semi going one way had trouble passing a bus going the other way on a turn. After the 10k climb we leveled off and met up for a wine tasting. The region makes reds and whites, but mostly reds like zinfandels. Then we rode thru a 400 meter tunnel with two lights. We then had a 7k descent to the boat. We spenr lunchtime crossing to Mljet. Here we explored the national park,riding another 12k. Peggy and I had ice cream after all that.

Tomorrow we motor to Korcula again and have a 60k ride with some of the climbs at 12 to 15 percent. There is a 12k option which some are taking. The sitances aren't bad, but the combination might be a long day.

We are getting ready to come home. Its hard to be excited about yet another 12th century monastery and chapel.

anne

Korcula

I had a long post written last night and then deleted it by hitting the wrong key. I'll try to hit the highlights at least. Korcula is a town of 3800 on the 6th largest island in Croatia. There are 1182 islands with only 66 of them inhabited. The total population of the country is 4.5 million, so less than Washington state. Our ride yesterday was 30k with some steeper uphills. Peggy and I got back to the boat first because we didn't stop.at the golden horn beach to swim.

Today we motor to Peljesac and ride 30k including wine tasting. This is not an elderhostel trip. We wine taste then ride some more. Helmets are recommended, but we always wear our. We're off to Peljesac. anne

Brac Island, Croatia

Last night we were moored in Omis and today we rode 43k up a pretty river canyon and back. From the top of the descent back it looked like we had ridden up past all the Skagit dams. The view was straight down at the tailrace and substations of a powerhouse. Also thru a slot between mountaims looking at the sea. We then motored over to Brac island where we had the afternoon off. Not much was going on here as it is Sunday. Tomorrow we have a steeper but shorter ride to the other side of the island. 30k and 500m vertical. We had a good time on the ride, feeling good going uphill and at our own speed. The directions and map were in conflict so a few people took an extra ride before they discovered the mistake. This is so not an elderhostel ride. From the first ride with some people without helmets and then the leader starting us out going the wrong way on a one way street. This is a little looser than we are used to. Of course every announcement is made in both english and german. The food is good, lots of fish and salads. A little noisy at night. The shower is a handheld in the bathroom. Each cabin has a bathroom tho, and we are moored and on shore power each night so peggy can use her cpap machine. I,m fighting a cold the elderhostelers were passing around. Hopefully it'll stay an easy cold and I can keep chugging up the hills.

anne

photos from Verona and Trogir Croatia

the castle in Trogir
Our boat, the Kapetan Jure
The castle and a channel
Juliet's balcony in Verona (not)
Castle bridge in Verona
A palladian villa
Verona's arena and city hall
Another palladian villa
The country between Padua and Vincenza

Trogir, Croatia

Yesterday we traveled from Verona to Split and then Trogir in Croatia. It took all day, including taxis, train, bus, and two plane rides. Trogir is where we meet the boat to do our bike ride. The boat is tied up close by to the hotel we are staying at. It is partly cloudy and getting warmer, supposed to be in the 70's.

I may be out of touch while we are in the islands. I'm going to post some photos now, hopefully. We are doing well, adjusting to a new language (if we speak english we are ok, so our automatic italian responses are not correct now).

Anne

Verona

As last many of you know, although Shakespeare never set foot in Ital he really put Verona on the map. We stood below the Capulet's balcony, next to the other tourists, saw the love messages left by thousands, and walked the same steps as Dante.

Last night we had dinner with Craig and John, good friends from Seattle. They happened to be here the same night. We'd barely arrived after riding, surrendering our bikes, visiting a Palladian villa with great frescoes and the a winery to taste the local Soave wine. We really enjoyed eating what we wanted, not wshat the group got. The days start out cold, the warm up. We are at about 45 degrees north, so think about Corvallis for weather. It is still fall here. We have the rest of today off and then our farewell group dinner. Peggy and I are working on a song for that.

Tomorrow we take the train to Venice and fly to Croatia via Rome.

Anne