It’s been great to get an in-depth view and tour by local Czech citizens and their stories of Czech Republic endless country occupations from nazi’s in the 30s – 40’s to the communists 40’s to 1989. An interesting big program for scouting in this country that has been stopped and restarted several times by Nazi’s…

On November 17th each year is the velvet revolution celebration event in Czech and the biggest event with 100,000 persons in downtown Prague. This celebration is to remember the velvet revolution where communist power was handed over fairly peacefully to a more democratic and socialist government and Russia released control of this county and several…

Today was another full day walking around Praha and visiting various neighborhoods and parks and a visit to the busy tourist area called Prague 1 where a major tourist and shopping district exists. Tomorrow is November 17th and their velvet revolution holiday happens which is one of the most popular holidays in the county when…

That’s what Prague is called by Czechs and much of Europe. I arrived later Friday and was greeted by my pct friends that I met last summer in Pinecrest at the train station. We went out to a local Czech pub restaurant Friday night and a nice several mile evening walk around the castle and…

Today I traveled back to Austria and tomorrow will travel to Prague in Czech Republic via trains. Today’s train adventures included missing a tight train connection when the train coming out of Slovenia was 12 minutes late and the connecting train left on time with only 10 minutes to connect. Trains run frequently so only…

Another amazing day hiking and exploring from the town of Bohinjska Bistrica. It was cold and freezing temps but clear and very quiet and empty as I hiked a few miles up to a famous set of waterfalls out of town and up some steep mountains. I hiked for hours without seeing a single other…

Today I had a full day to hike and explore this magical Bohinj area – Triglav national park. An amazing set of hiking and biking trails and small farming communities. I am here between the high summer season where this place is very popular and before the winter ski and snow season. Snow is already…

Headed off on a 5 hour train trip into Slovenia to this mountain and lake region for 4 days.

A short 25 minute train ride into Graz this morning for some time to explore this city and grab some pictures also on the mur river. In the afternoon I explored the city more by walking along the river. When I returned to Frohnleiten, I was able to capture some photos as the setting sun…

After arriving yesterday afternoon with a 3 hour train ride from Vienna, I’m now in the idyllic Austria town on Frohnleiten. This town is about 30 minutes outside of Graz and is famous for its old village and steeple near the mur river. I’m visiting my friend Michelle whose family we have connected with for…

The day was started with a cool run on the Danukanal with the fall colors and other runners and cyclists going to work. The afternoon was spent navigating the Vienna multi tiered rail system to head toward Graz, about 2-3 hours away. Friendly folks at the rail station each found a different way to route…

A busy full day here in Vienna! First a long walk a long the Danukanal with the golden autumn colors and a visit to the Albertina gallery with modern Impressionists and contemporary artists of Monet, Pablo Picasso , Renoir. Some modern 1930-80 photographers and modern artists with electrically lighted art pieces. I experience both the…

Today was mostly spent catching buses, waiting in airports and flying and more trains to move from Athens Greece to Vienna Austria. What a cool town! The well organized sets of surface trams and subways and nice biking and pedestrian paths and the coolest paths below near the river makes for great biking and walking…

This morning the light and equipment worked to paint a view of the light house. Although the weather was more gray, I painted it with a bluer sky and sea which I had seen other days. It’s always interesting to see what different countries do to regulate and sell products. Greece has a huge vape…

Another sunny day in Greece with some swimming at the small cove with swim access and some painting of the coastline near there at the end of town.

This morning I took a short run and hike and explored more of the coast line north of Rafina and other places in town.

Today we took the ferry over to the island of Evia, a short ride. We walked around, sketching and had a leisurely lunch before checking the ferry back to Rafina.

This morning was spend walking the coast line near Rafina and finding a suitable scene to paint. The light was low and partly cloudy and the route lacked elevation and elements to paint. I finally decided on this one area that offered a good hill and a good vista of the bays and distant hills.…

Today was spent putting together the painting kit and some swimming and painting in the afternoon on the Mediterranean just walking distance from Rafina. My morning painting session didn’t happen as I left my paints and other parts back at the house so a morning coffee and town exploring was used instead. The afternoon session…

Today was a full day of bus and subway rides into the Athens city center to visit the acropolis area. We walked around town and visited the acropolis area in the afternoon before returning back to Rafina in the evening.