Europe summer of 2017

We had a fantastic 8 weeks together. Liam was a wonderful travelling companion. We shared many wonderful moments that will come back into our thoughts for a very long time.

That ole GPS takes out out of the frankfurt Metro area were aiming northwest towards Oomen, netherlands. Now of course we only seen a hundred or two relics or full castles. So today travelling out of germany we see a dozen more. The road is pretty and not too crowded. We stop in a rest area for another 50 euro's of petrol and to stretch. The rest area is fullof tractor trailer trucks. Most truck drivers are frompolandor hungary. In the rest area they break out the camping stoves and cook up a meal. It always looks  like chicken soup with potatoes. We roll on into the Netherlands. Now we asked our friends why is your country called Holland and the Netherlands? The country name is "the netherlands". Holland is a county/ province within the country, and people have used the term Holland as the country name mistakenly for some time. Also some times it just sounds nicer he said. We roll along and pull into their driveway. Made it! No accidents, no breakdowns, no problems a

We aim the van towards Frankfurt. I make some coffee, pee and pull out of the campground quietly, there's a floating small layer of mist above a few houses. The grizz is snoring away and wrapped up in blankies as a wander down the valley at 6:15 am. It's a beautiful morning, I'm feeling sad like I'm leaving a friend knowing I'll be out of Switzerland in a few hours. It's so beautiful! I m making good time, passing gorgeous lakes, as usual going thru timnels, over bridges that can't be done. We tried not to change any more euro's into Swiss Frank's so I'm waiting to buy gas till I enter Deutschland Finally the coffee wants out. It's 9:30 hibernation should be about over in the back. The petrol tank at $ 1.45 per liter is thirsty once again......i pull over.. Now let me tell you about most of these rest areas in Europe. They are awesome! (As they say in bahston). Really great cafeteria style restaurants, with lots of options, fresh bread,

We wake up to the sun! Excellent day for a hike, but it might get warm.. Eat breakfast, inject coffee and drive away. There s a campground at the end of the valley. we can walk to the hiking trail and get some exercise! The van is parked, the rushing glacier fed rivah is about 30 meters behind the van. Back packs are complete, with everything we don't need, were off. Up the trail, the sun's out, the view is ling an the uphill walk(?) Doesn't stop, either does the sweating or breathing. Oh not this type of fun again so soon... We're hiking in trees, and on the edges of steep grazing land . The views are constantly intermittent, we can see the glaciers and the waterfalls cascading down the opposite cliffs. We take numerous breaks, drinking water. Hikers that have spent the night in the alpine huts are passing us in the opposite direction. We dip our hats in the many streams that cross our path. After 2+ hrs we reach the restaurant. Now the only access is hiking o

OMG we wake up Yes were here Waterfall s on both sides of the valley, straight cliffs rising hundreds of feet. Swiss style houses, green grass. Coffee frto. The jet boil stove, I can't wait to have real coffee, that's not instant, or liquid concentrate, or European k (excessive packaging) cups... We poop, pack backpacks and quickly head out. Walking back to the village. A brisk walk, let's go to the train station. Now, here in Switzerland one can set their watch on public transportation schedules. Chris the friend of nans our rafting buddy. Said he'd take the train and bus from Bern, 1.5 hours and meet us at the end of the bus line, on the bench nect to the WC...... Ok we need to get to the end of the valley.... we ask at the tourist info office ( Liam falls immediately in love with this young woman) back one block, at the sign that says post, the driver will sell you a ticket. Ok were on the bus, now there s 2 stops with the same name, we gamble and see that the

So Back packs have water, off we go Step, sweat, breathe...liam says "And this is fun, dad?" We talk and walk A couple of hikers pass us We take breaks Its totally incredible We pass over snow fields We step over tiny Brooks The wildflowers are amazing colors And we keep walking..... Finally 2 1/2 hrs later the Bhutan death march is over we summit the pass! And the Swiss hikers have been 10 minutes behind us the whole way, with bigger backpacks and carrying their bikes! The view is mind blowing One of the bikers lights up a cigarette! We eat snacks The bikers say good bye, jump on their bikes, and start down the other side. its More gradual in places and longer.. We pack up turn around and we're back at the farmhouse in 1 hour. We have an ice tea pay our bill, buy a fresh cheese round 2.4 kilos for 22 Swiss Frank's. Then we get a tour They have 18 cows The get 120 liters of milk a day They use the cream to make butter, hand turned every day Th

Ok we walk down to the farm. This is the highest farm on this side of the valley. We sit and stare. There is a group of 3 women with 7 kids that are staying for 2 nites. Monica asks if dinner at 730 is okay. The dark clouds have been building all day in the pass, that helped our decision to stay. After about 1 hr it starts to sprinkle, then rain,we all rush inside. Someone starts the woodstove. Great we only have shorts on.. Then the hail starts....we look out 2 guys with mountain bikes are coming in! OMG! They're soaked. They are mountain biking over the pass.... We ask the moms and kids who are playing uno if we can join them. Now all the kids 1 at a time say in English ( they all speak german, with some english) "My name is______, I live in Switzerland" They learn English in school, they are so happy to say this to English speakers.!! So of course I say My name is David and I live in Switzerland, and they all laugh.. We have a blast playing uno and joking with

So we walk up now here in this beautiful country it's always up, and up more. We wander between the deserted 1/2 dozen ski houses. Past a restaurant that's open, we inquire what time do u close? 6 pm, when is the last tram down ? 7:15 Ok we'll be back....no were walki g up and it's kinda like a ridge top, andits steep, so like usual were sweating and breathing like crazy...we come to a level clearing w picnic tables a fire pit, an outhouse and a water trough. We use the WC. And I soak my shirt,hat and ear bandana in the cool water. Back on the breathing and sweating " enjoyable hike"...Now we hit a section that has cables and a dddddrrrrrooooppp off...yikes We keep on its hot The valley below we can see the farmhouses and hear the cow bells. Now about these bells, the cows can be found when it's time for milking by the sound of the bells. When the farmer brings the cows from the lower ground up to the mountain farm in early summer, it's traditional

So today we decided to hike to a glacial hut. We left our campsite early at about 815 we got to the trail head at about 845. So we decided to just go for it. We had 2 bottles of water each (1L) and our rain gear and warm clothes. So with our packs on our backs and coffee and oatmeal in our systems we headed off. We hiked for about 45 and then took a break to share some of our warmer clothes. We then continued on the hike and after about 30 more minutes the hike opened up into an amazing valley. We could see glaciers to the left a forest behind us, massive mountains in front of us and gorgeous waterfalls to our right. It was breathtaking. We then continued to hike up a cliff for about another hour until we finely got to our final destination. Once we were there the views were great and there was actually a restaurant at the top. So that was great. We hung out up there for about 2 hours. We got a few drinks and a sausage. It was a great time! We then headed down and got to the base in ab

Wow where to start... Today has been unforgettable. So it all started when I woke up late and caused my dad a bit of frustration. By being late we were in a bit of a rush to get to our hiking destination. So we hustled to drive the 40 miles to the town that the hike was supposed to be at. When we arrived we immediately started looking for the tourist information booth. We asked about four different people were it was and they all told us different things. So after meandering around the narrow streets I just said screw it in gonna go look on foot. And no longer than 30 sec later I found it. I got us a map of the different hikes and headed back to the car. After deciding that we wanted to go to the next town over we headed there. And when we got there we realised that it was actually the town on the opposite side of the mountain range we where looking at! Aghh we said and just decided to take the cable car up to the trail head and just go on a hike. So we got to the tram station and orde

Here I sit. Maybe this day won't end.(written at 3pm) Up coffee, showah, crackers and peanut butter Got an email last nite from Chris in Bern that we'll hike with Thursday. He said check out surnanpass  a 6 hr. hike. Outside of engelberg Ok we internet search, hikes. A route to there, campsites, the usual etc.. the search isn't going easy, lackof campgrounds, rich town expensive hostels, etc. Liam says let's stop in aldorf its near our destination, at the tourist info office. Ok we head out of Italian switzerland. Tunnels tunnels tunnels, and avalanche fences 2,000 meters up on hills. And I've forgotten to write about this... in the mountain regions where a stream will come down to intersect a road they build a ramp over  the road and the stream goes overhead. This is true in avalance areas. There will be overhead bridges on the highway for the snow to pass overhead . There were a number of these on this pass.  The valley we enter is once again amazingly pictures

Up  coffee and muselli, & porridge from the Dutch army surplus food we bought for emergencies...as campsite prices continue to rise into the $ 40+ Swiss Franks range and we're anticipating upwards of $70 Frank's as we get closer to the glitz...our oops my wallet is begin ing to look worn and tattered... Yum I love army surplus b fast We drive off thru st moritz gauking at the ski areas.. out of town heading west then north. We cross over juliapass  impressive Down the other side Winding winding down of course the views are incredible, waterfalls, cows, high jagged peaks u know the usual.... We finally find a tourist info We find out about a 3 alpine lake hike 5 kilometers away, down the hill still Turn right thru a tiny village with tiny roads we jbump off houses, now up and windingfor a couple of kilometers. We park and hike along a gravel road thru farmer Joes field's. Now here in Switzerland, it's steep. And what the farmers do is walk along behind a s

Up and driving O let's go to the highest mountain in Germany on this cloudy rainy day.. well so did everyone else in Europe...we spend 2 hrs winding up and down some foggy mountain pass. We don't turn off for zugspitze. We decide let's head to st. Moritz. After about 2 hrs the rain clears we move thru austria and enter switzerland on the east end . The alps begin to show us Their majesty and their quant valley with steeple s and blue rivers .lovin it! We drive up and down a mountain pass, then slowly winding up the 60 kilometer valley to st. Moritz. It's ok, we go to the campground a mile out of town and they want 51 Swiss francs for a site! That's about$65 nope it was crowded. We go back up a side valley Bernina. another road to italy and get a great campsite next to a stream overlooking the bernina glaciers. Pesto for dinner ad finally wifi again. Up early it's 40° the windshield has ice! 6,000' elevation. We drink coffee, eat soup, pack our back

So today we decided to go on a longer hike and go to a mountain castle and have lunch and then hike down a river valley back to our car. So we headed up the path towards the castle. We walked up the path for about an hour and thirty minutes. Then we reached a farmer's field and a path leading up into a wooded area. We decided to go towards the wooded area and we walked down the path for about 5 min. Then it came to a field so we followed what little of the path was left and came to a dead end. So we turned around and headed through the feild. We walked up the road for about 20 min and then came to a

Now there's this friend of mine in Portland. He's been around Europe in his days. When I top over for a visit ( after4 pm) or a professional consultation on home repair minor dilemmas, sometimes he'll say would you like a beer? Why sure.. Well I stopped over the spialty beer store and bought these beers from germany "Andechs" monestary brewery. Well those are some pretty cool Benedictine monks, they been brewing and selling beer for 500 yrs. Really. So We split a $5 bottle of beer, and we make happy noises and happy faces, and we enjoy the beer. So he says if u get a chance when I germany check this place out.... So we head that way about 1 he west of munchen, wow we can we the small town church steeple high on a hill , yup typical, we follow signs, pull into a huge park lot. Walk over look at the layout map and don't ya know it once again written In german...map bunch of buildings, marked with words that have at least 32 consanents in each word. Ok head u

So today we decided to go on a longer hike and go to a mountain castle and have lunch and then hike down a river valley back to our car. So we headed up the path towards the castle. We walked up the path for about an hour and thirty minutes. Then we reached a farmer's field and a path leading up into a wooded area. We decided to go towards the wooded area and we walked down the path for about 5 min. Then it came to a field so we followed what little of the path was left and came to a dead end. So we turned around and headed through the feild. We walked up the road for about 20 min and then came to a

Today we decided to go out hiking. We headed down into town and went to the tourist office. They recommended a few day hikes of varying difficulty and length. So they recommended that we take the 25 min drive to Austria and ask them because they had a lot more variety we said ok! We drove there and it took us about an hour and a half not 30 min... when we got there the guy we talked to had actually spent a year in Portland studying! They was great and he gave us a couple great hike recommendations. So first we went on a little hike through some beautiful gorges. We had to pay 5 euros each and no one told us there was a fee so that was annoying. But once we got in there we saw some really remarkable water caves and that was a cool experience. Then we left that hike and drove the hour back to Berchgarden and looked for the other hike we were told about. We got there and were greeted with a 6 euro fee per person we said screw this we are not paying to walk in a forest. So we went to the 3

So today we drove back to Berchgarden. That was the campsite we stayed in that was under the Eagals nest. We camped in s spot on the other end of the campground from were we states last time. It was nice. We then pulled out a one time use mini grill and got it lit. We pulled out the combo pack of sausages we had bought the day prior (some were wrapped in bacon!) And threw them on the grill. Once they started sizzling away it started to rain. We set up our bug table umbrella but it was of little use so we prepped the rest of the food and then once the sausages were done we put the umbrella away and hustled the sausages into the car. We ate them and then crashed.

So today we decided to go into town again today. I wanted to have a little bit of alone time so my dad went before me into Vienna. I stayed back for a few hours and when I finally decided to go into town the non stop train passed just as I got to the station. I waited for another 20 or so minutes and then the slow train came. It took me about 30 min and another train transfer to get into town. I got in and grab a Starbucks and took off to see some of the sights I had not seen the previous day. I saw a lot of beautiful buildings and some crazy sculptures. Then it started to rain. It was light for the first minute or so and then it turned into a terenchal downpour for a half an hour. Once the rain had calmed down we headed out into the town again. We went out in search of finding a place to get some grub. We found this nice Italian restaurant off the main strip and sat down. We got a plate of apitisers and then a few drinks till we both decided to get lasagna. It was good and made fres

So today we drove to Vienna Austria 🇦🇹. It took us about 4 hours and it was a pretty ride that was relatively quick and had some nice and had some good views of the surrounding landscape. The campground that we decided to stay in was nice. It had clean facilities and campsites with decent shade and free WiFi. So when we were fonnaly settled in the o our campsite we decided that it was still early and that we wanted to go into vienna. We went up to the tram station and waited for about 20 min and rode the train for about 5 min then transferred to a subway. We rode that for about 20 min and got off in the heart of Vienna. We walked down the main tourist street and saw some really amazing sites. We then headed back into the train station. We got on the first train that came. We however did not know that there are two types of train speed and stop trains. The stop train stopes at every stop. Then the speed train only stops at major stops and our stop was a very small stop. So we

Vienna and beyond We go back into Vienna, and wander around seeing new alleys and side streets. We find a large fountain in a square that has multiple figures , one looks like Poseidon with the spear, another has a raft paddle?? I'm not sure if it's Mike or marq? We separated for a while today, liam wanted to take it slow getting out of camp, I wanted to head into town. We finally meet up at McDonalds ( free wifi). As I'm stealing so.e of liams french fries. It begins to rain and it's a downpour for 15 minutes.... It finally slows down We head out and find an amazing clock down a side street on a building. It's about 5 meters tall with a 2.5 meter person that points out the minutes, it's mostly in gold leaf and copper that has turned green. We wander reading menus and trying to find a place to eat.... We eat at a n outside restaurant ( italian) restaurant. People watch. Back to the train station We decide to head west, tomorrow , through the rolling

Shower again..... Driving to see the old musical guys with white wigs... Vienna campsites in the city all come up with bad reviews... We get a place 20 kilometers north on the train line. We walk to town, buy some wieswurst sausages and come back to camp for the 3rd time in July we cook up onions, chantrelles, and sausages.....yum Now we shower and in the train into wein ( vienna). We start our walk like the old partof these big European cities through tourist mania. China souvenors or Louis vitton ( and the like ) stores...both crap. We wander up pedestrian only cobblestone streets and come to the massively huge and so ornate st Stephens cathedral, we stare up, we go inside it's huge and amazing. We come out and for 5 minutes the bells ring, now I don't know how Liam snuck in  and disguised himself as a priest and rang those bells..... Vienna has wonderful, buildings, statues, round corners on some 5-7 story buildings with turrets on top. Incredible. We walk amongst

Out of the mountains, not too big we descend Slovakia is not a rich coun try. We ride on towards Hungary, hungry. Sunflowers seem to be a big crop in this region Like usual as we begin to enter the outskirts of a city the industrial wasteland evolves But we're in Buda of budapest And begin our blindfolded following of the GPS And it's not looking good This city campground next to the Danube has us on pot holed roads, trash, abandoned buildings.. I'm not feeling it. As we get closer it's not getting better, shady characters,  that look like Frank are walkin  about. We stop at the gate, confer Nope plan B Next campground 20 kilometers away GPS take us there Across town and we ascend up into the hills Green, and houses We finally get there 2 old railway trams adorn the entrance It's an old railway terminus building Now this is cool The staff person greets us and asks us if we'd like a cold drink! Yes We pick a spot , grab another drink and ha

Today we got up early and ate a great complimentary breakfast and were off! We headed in to the city on the 291 bus. We got off after 14 stops and caught the number 17 tram to to the baths. We went in and got dressed to go swimming. The baths were great and were a great jem in the heart of Budapest. We left them after spending an hour plus there and got on a hop on hip off tourist bus. That took us around part of the city in the first line. We then got off and went to a huge market. They were selling trinkets, fruits, veggies , meat , beer etc... We walked for about 10 more min and found a real Hungarian restaurant. We got the traditional dishes and it was very tasty. Soon after we hoped on the bus and rode it on the other line around a different part of the city. Then we got off and went to a museum that was supposed to be great and it was horrible. Not informative not put together well and required you to buy a headset that cost the same amount as admission. But they dident push it

Today we made the 8 hour drive to Budapest from Krakow. The drive was long and very hot. Also entering Hungray we had to exchange money. The exchange rate is insane. 200 euros Got us 59,000 Hungarian dollars. Things also were a lot cheaper. When we got to the campground we had chosen it was grimy and located in a ghetto area way off the beaten path. We looked up on our phones some other places. After trying to decide for a while we finally found one that looked good. We got there and it was fantastic they even gave us a free drink because we looked tired. We got dinner there and took a long shower. After that we got the sack.

Today we drove the 4 hours to Krakow from Warsaw (both in Poland). We got there and it started raining and was intermittent for the rest of the day. We went out to dinner at a nice polish restaurant. The food was inexpensive and was a good intro into polish cuisine. Overall it was a good day but not very eventful.

We try To head out of krakow, and Google manages to take us right thru the city It's interesting, but I'm glad we didn't spend the day, kinda drab..... We're heading to Budapest but will try to raft in the Slovakian mountains between here and there The flat plains of poland that the Russians and Germans used as killing fields are gone, were getting into hills and farms and mountains in the distance. Btw this is southern Poland  3hrs to rafting 6hrs to Budapest Now we're getting ski area billboards on the roadside and the houses are looking a little like those in the alps...... We see up ahead there's huge construction going on for a huge highway... So we get slowed down again..... We wind up hills into the higher parts What I spot on the side of the road a woman with a table and quart jars filled with huckleberries.... I don't stop.... I turn around and go back She's selling them a little cheaper than the one 200 kilometers ago yesterday Sh

We walk away...... In the car Along the road I see a few woman sittikng with someth ing.... After about the 4th one...theres enough room to pull over....shes selli ng chantrelle mushrooms and huckleberry type berries Of course I buy 1 of each about 30 zloty. The drive to krakow, takes a little over an hour Traffic, city.  Not interesting, maybe my mood Wit h that ole GPS we roll into the city campground. This place is nice, trees and an outdoor community pool right aside. Stupid music coming from the pool.... We check the place out. Put a load in the free wash Liam takes a shower, and investigates the polish restaurant down the block. And then it rains,  and pours Looks like we're prisoners And the music stops The few people at the pool leave We see the tent near us with the ground cloth outside the outer edge collecting vast amounts of water and bringing it right on top of the tarp and under the tent....dampness awaits... The rain backs off and we walk thru a nice

Auschwitz I can't believe how big this death camp is. Massive We walk throughout the camp, A guide describes different areas In 1960 the original guides were former prisoners here that survived That's how we know..... Row upon row of barracks Barbed wire Electrical fencing Train tracks right into the camp 3,000 murdered daily We walk Jews Gypsies Homosexuals Intellects Disabled Other european ethnic groups The rest slaved, starved to death here and in local sub camps Mengle tortured people here The barracks bunks held 5/6 people in summer, 10/12 in winter (6'x6'x2') 1,500,000 murdered here When the Nazi's, saw defeat, they tried to destroy this camp, to hide their atrocities. We walk

So today is the day that I get to meet and listen to my favorite group of all time. I slept in till about 10:30 am that was great! We then decided to walk down to the concert hall were the group was going to be performing later that day. The walk took us about an hour and when we got there i was blown away the lead performer Scrim was out side! This was a dream come true. I was able to talk to him for a little while and get my picture with him! Amazing also he gave me a hat and 2 shirts. We then went to a polish resistance museum that was cool. We graves some food on our way back to camp and then I took off for the concert. The concert was legendary. I waited outside while about 500 other people crowded behind me for the doors to open. Once they did everyone pushed there way inside and then we waited an additional 30 min for everyone to get inside. Once they did we had a 30 min pre band come on they were ok. Then the suicide boys came on and every lost it.  There were people morning to

Today I got up at about 845. I had a cup of coffee that my dad had made for me. Thanks:) Then we decided to head into Warsaw. We took a bus into the heart of old town. When we got there we decided to try to absorb as much as we could but not go overboard. Meaning we set a route that went through some of the cool stuff in old town that we wanted to see. Also it was on the way to the scooter rental shop! Now i have never drivin a scooter but I did ride on one a while back when my dad uses to drive them. On the way we decided to stop in the near by bookshop. I got my dad the Godfather book and I picked up one about Amsterdam.  We then headed out of the bookstore and walked to the scooter shop. When we got there it was around 330 and so we chose the 4 hour option. The shop closed at 730 so we had exactly 4 hours. W3 headed out into the wors5 intersection we could have and I actually did well:). We scooted around old town for about an hour and then went to the restaurant that our renter sug

Today we decided to make the treck to Warsaw. We started off at about 9 am and we crossed the border into Poland at about 11 am we were making good time! When we finally arrived in Warsaw it was about 5. We then took about 30 min to find our campsite. Once we were there we hung out for a little bit then got to chefing up some pasta with Cantrells and hot dogs. It was actually pretty good. We had a few drinks and called it a night.

Sooooo I survive the suicide boyz.... Up and atom oh buy the way in Warsaw we found a bookstore that had a section of English written books Aside , now my friend Debra helped Me get a kindle, my friend chalen bought me a book on the kindle.... Great! The book is extremely well written and very  interesting but the dust bowl in the 1930's is very fookin depressing.....but I'm reading it and liking it...  So Liam buys me the godfather, my future birthday present....hmmm I wanted a Lamborghini...weve seen a few, I mean we've passed quite a few on the autobahn... So now I'm also reading that hey were close to Sicily ... Loyalty and friendship Oh yea back to our trip So we leave Warsaw at 6:30, I'm up at 6 making coffee,  Psst don't tell marq box or mike Sweeney they'll make me got up and make coffee early on all up coming raft trips foreveha...might even make me drink it black......... So I head out with me. Mish pit sound asleep in the back, now y

Drove to Auschwitz today.... So incredibly horrifying and sad

He made it back to camp, after the mosh pit and all....wheeeew.(life of a pops)

So Liam wanted to see one of the band's he listens too, while we are in Europe. So he finds out that the suicide boyz  are doing a European tour....so he wants to see em.. ok dad I'll take a train, a bus, a plane  and go see em in Berlin, or poland or hungary...... Well dad thinks about this as all dad's do, right Ok 18, travelling 300 miles in the middle of Europe,  into an unknown city,  completely different language, no familiarity with bus, trains, and hostels on his own, going to a crazy concert, with lots a bone heads...... I don't think so...... So dad says we'll go that way, I'll camp , u can go to the concert,  and come back to the campsite when it's over..... Hmmmm Well dad you know I can do this.... Yup I do, but this time let's do it this way Hmmmm ok So we get to warsaw poland, the city is spread out, language is really foreign, people still aren't use to English,  the bus system isn't easy, Ok we find a campground in the ci

I think this city is appropriately named War saw It has seen a lot of war Shitler blew this place apart during WW2. Up we get Like usual I hear "5 more minutes papa" We make a big veggie scramble And head out across a crappy park that the city is redoing with bike paths. To the west bus station We buy an all day pass for $1 We take the bus into the new part of the city and then get off at the end of the line in "old town" Old town was demolished in the war, but the city decided to rebuild all the buildings as they were on the original foundations. It looks old! Also the government buildings, museums etc in this area all look old. We walk thru plazas and act like tourists! We decide to stop and get a drink Me a wonderful polish beer  "zywiek" Liam a fanta, now soft drinks in Europe are served in 6oz bottles, that's not a thirst quencher,  so liam orders a white russian,  don't tell his dad! Wow it looks great , piled with whipped

Up, no rain Shower, coffee Liam makes me organize the "airstream" again! No drinkable water at this campground, no dish cleaning station, no washer/dryer. So we leave organized, with a bag of dirty dishes, a bag of empty water bottles, a bag of dirty laundry... Life doesn't get much bettah The ole GPS takes on a roundabout way right thru the heart of the city, oh well it's Sunday morning.... We're finally on the road, highway again Its fairly flat in this part of northern germany, and all the way due east across poland to Warsaw. A lot of the trees are just alike, we drive for many many kilometers through these tree farms.. The roads are great and new And we pay tolls, about 5 to reach warsaw,  Now I forget to mention earlier the french were really good at collecting tolls too! The Swiss and Germans not so much, the Italians are catching on. At one toll booth I pointed to the word  " zlotych" on the bill, the toll collector, (usually it'

Off to warsaw poland

Our inner city campground in Berlin is an vacant lot in the the Turkish Muslim section. A tram station is a 100 meters away,  and there's a million kabob, storefronts. Up in the am , we buy daily transit passes, and once again were try g to figure out which train , nope wrong one, back 2 stops up the stairs,  across the bridge down the stairs, running. Vroom train leaves...... We get off A friend from Portland suggested we get reservations to go to the Reichstag,  I applied last week we got a reservation for 11:45 We run 4 blocks We get there it's huge, Of course we're at the wrong side There's fence, polizie We walk fast get in a long line, oh yeah one can't be late for their appointment/ reservation. Oops we get to the front it's the wrong line we rush to the next long line.... We get in...whew Now they want to see my appointment letter, Ok it's on my phone, so my IT vp is right here with me, we download, the upload, link on my wallet app....