Special Cats



Two hairless cats



Justin's two hairless cats (for people who love cats but are allergic to them) are still with him after all these years and all his travels.  Dancer (the mom) and Pele (the larger son) are, quite honestly, older than Methuselah.  The cats asked us if we'd take them back to California.  They said the winters here with all the snow and slush just weren't their thing. 

A Fun Road Trip

 

Justin locking his car in Brno

We took a day trip, first to another picturesque village in the countryside where we picked up 100 frames and other bee supplies to update the three new hives.  (There have not been any more swarms to capture as the "summer" has turned unseasonably cold and wet, go figure.)  Then we headed north to one of the Republic's larger cities, Brno.  Justin and Michaela are building a small rental cabin on their property and needed some appliances, so we drove to Brno to pick up a small refrigerator purchased online from a hostel. 

Arrival at the hostile in Brno

The GPS does not account for or recognize such things as intersections turned into round-abouts or construction zones, of which there were many, so after arriving in Brno, it took us an hour and four phone calls to find this lovely place.  Deep in the city, we found ourselves in situations so tight that I had to get out and maneuver the trailer by hand while Justin turned the SUV around; I don't know what we'd have done had we been driving an eighteen wheeler.  However, as you can see, we made it.
With only the best of intentions, I can say that we're fairly certain this particular neighborhood has on file an application for gentrification funding. 



 



Vigilantly waiting for the kind
old manager to open the front door

 Justin had to call the seller (who was not on these premises) to get the seller to call the hostel manager to come to the front door; apparently the front door bell only works for certain people.  And, yes that's one of three dumpsters and four trash cans -- "curb appeal..  And yes, that's locked iron gates in front of the locked glass doors.  And yes,

I know you're thinking that's a strange way for a hostel to welcome young foreign visitors to their city. 

I think times have changed, and  I can only imagine this ain't Kansas Toto. 

  



Looking south
down the street from the Hostel

 

 

It wasn't the "happy place" you go to meditate; looking down the street was more like viewing the O.K. Corral at High noon.  Alas, big cities are what they are.

 

How'd you say we're
gonna tie this down?

The manager took us down a hall to a room that was full of refrigerators.  Justin paid the large, gnarly, sweaty, and shirtless manager, we picked up one of the refrigerators that felt quite warm, and carried it out to the trailer.  I recall hearing the iron doors locking behind us. 
Justin said, "Boy, there were a lot of refrigerators in that room."  To which I replied, "Yeah, sorta like someone high jacked a... maybe we should just tie it down and get outta here."
Of course we arrived home safely, installed the refrigerator in the cabin, and told Justin that we did not want to go on any more day trips to "the city."

Ralph Goes Horseback Riding





Father and son prepare
for a ride through the forest

 
Justin said, "I don't know if that horse can carry you."
Ralph replied, "That's cold."


Preparations continue



Justin said, "You cannot leap onto the horse - you think you're Zorro or sumpthin"?"
Ralph replied, "That's cold."
Yes, the people in the background are young and yes they are laughing.


Zorro aboard Valena

 Zorro and Valena became very close after their up close and personal discussion about running under low tree branches.  Carol thought the horses were too high off the ground, so we left her in the cantina.



The ride begins!

  Justin said, "Dad this isn't rocket science and yelling, 'Turn left you jackass" won't help."
Ralph said, "Okay, okay" and he continued, "Valena, pretty Valena; turn left or I'll slap you upside the head."
Justin muttered something I can't imagine was complimentary, and he left.  Valena followed his horse.
Okay, so perhaps not all of us were born to ride, but it was loads of fun, sore butt and all.

SPA Time in Podebrady


 

Bakov Train Station

 Public transportation across Europe sounds like "a piece of cake"; however, we weren't sure that if we went into this train station we'd ever reemerge.  Ominous as it was, we went in and after speaking to a stationmaster who was fluent in Czech only, we bought our ticket.  Out of the conversation we understood that the train was "broken" and we'd need to catch a bus in front of the station that would take us somewhere else for another train. Of course this didn't create any anxiety why would you be wondering?  We went outside and found a bus with the driver fast asleep at the wheel and no passengers aboard.  Upon further misunderstood inquiry we gathered that we were supposed to wait across the street from these steps and a bus would show up.  It did.  We left and the anxiety did not decrease, sorry.  This is the National Railway not the Bullet Trains with English speaking conductors that you see in the Triple-A brochures. Although the ride was acceptably comfortable,  I suspect that Benito Mussolini sold these trains to the Czech Republic for a very good price.



The road to "another train"

 Did we have a clue as to where the bus was going?  No.  We thought that when the bus was reported missing and they found our camera on the side of the road, this would be the last picture we ever took.



Justin and his father
(the father is the good looking
one with the hat)

 I forgot to tell you that Justin, who understands and speaks Czech fairly well, actually brought us to the train station, helped us buy the ticket, and waited until we were pulling out on the bus before he went back home.  The return trip was however very anxiety provoking with no one to help us and no English speakers at the Prodebrady train station -- Slavic languages are almost devoid of cognates so even guessing is difficult.  The bus got us to the other train station where with a lot of ticket showing and finger pointing we finally boarded the correct train to Prodebrady.  On the train a lady asked Carol, "Are you Dutch?"  To which Carol promptly replied, "No.  I'm from America, California."  The lady blurted out, "Schwarzenegger!", and the conversation ended.





A restaurant that we recommend

 When you come to Prodebrody, you get on this bridge, look for the two green umbrellas then go to that restaurant; they have the best pork knee and beer in town!  



I want to start a foundation
 for the preservation
of artistic expression

 Thinking that graffiti was a uniquely American problem, we were surprised to find it everywhere in Europe that we traveled.  Isn't this just awesome, just gorgeous on this 200 year old sandstone wall?  Perhaps if we crucified the artists next to their work they would receive and appreciate the kind of recognition they so desperately long for, just kidding we need to protect the little darling's First Amendment rights, globally.





Exterior of castle in Prodebrody

 This view doesn't do the castle justice because you cannot see the interior courtyard, etc., but you can see the change in architecture from the medieval form to the more recent style of construction.  While the castle has a long and illustrious history, it is currently a branch of Charles University where Czech students learn English and exchange students learn Czech before entering the university.  The tour boat in the foreground travels the river north through locks.  At the right is an island that separates the locks (half the river) and a small hydroelectric plant that uses the other half to supply the town with electrical power.

 

Eastern side of the island,
the hydroelectric plant






  

 


Western side of the island, lock entrance






Western side of the island, the actual lock






Bellvue Hotel and Wellness Center

 This is where we hung our hat in Prodebrody.  Far left is a six-block esplanade for walking amongst gardens, fountains, landscape art, etc.; the tree lined pavement surrounding the esplanade is for walking and biking and fronts all the wellness hotels and shops.  On average, prices are quite reasonable, train tickets $5.00 for a round trip, Hotel $100. per night including breakfast and dinner in their restaurants, and wellness treatments such as massages are about $30. per hour, so you can have a very relaxing time without breaking the bank.



 





Dining in Prague




A new trend

 We arrived in downtown Prague for dinner to find two Czech police officers writing a parking ticket for this white van.  By the time we assembled on the sidewalk, a specialized truck had shown up, straps were put under the van, and it was hoisted on-aboard the truck for its trip to the far away land of impound. I don't even want to know how much it costs to get your vehicle back, or how you even find it.  I can't imagine having had a very tiring, frustrating day only to come back to your vehicle and find it stolen?  missing?  And, your wife's waiting dinner!  If they treat illegal parking this way, imagine what happens if you're picked up as "a person of interest" in a felony -- about which you are clueless.




Feeding the parking meter

 
In this photo, we are assembled on the sidewalk ready to walk to the restaurant and Justin is explaining while Michaela is feed the meter what happens if you don't put enough money into the meter.




 

In the underground restaurant

On this side of the table, left to right, are Michaela (Justin's wife), Lubosch (Michaela's sister's fiance), and Martina (Michaela's sister).  After scraping the surface of her hot toast with spicy, fresh, pungent Czech garlic, Martina is spreading steak tartar on the toast then she piles on the raw red onions and viola -- dinner!


    

At the other side of the table
 

Left to right (really), Carol and Ralph.  Carol, on a diet, ordered a pork knee, a side of Cz mashed potatoes, some Czech bread, and 750ml of beer to wash it down -- walking really brings out your appetite.  Ralph could have no fat so he ate a tiny bit of steak tartar and washed it down with 6 oz. of Kafola (Czech Coke).   See how happy he is when he eats raw beef! 



  



If you are wondering???

Yes she did, she ate the whole dinner, except for the fattening stuff: some red onions and a pepper.  And she's here to tell ya' that pork knee is really good eats!



Of course Justin's
missing,
who'd you think
took the pictures.



This was a most interesting restaurant, downtown Prague.  At the street level entrance, we all signed waivers swearing that we weren't claustrophobic; I think you can see why.  It is three floors below street level and built entirely of stone. Because of all the "small rooms" and antechambers,  I strongly suspect we ate in a medieval dungeon or torture chamber. 

Dinner Near Kost Castle



Kost Castle

In the protected area of Cesky Raj located about an hour northeast of Prague you will find magical castles and ruins, natural wonders such as rock cities and rock quarries containing semi precious stones and much more. Tucked away in the thick forest is the Kost Castle, or the Bone Castle. Kost Castle is the best-preserved Gothic castle in the Czech Republic. The castle remained untouched throughout the years, protecting its Gothic charm and atmosphere.  The hidden castle is located in a valley surrounded by dense forest, unlike most castles in Bohemia that are situated on hills.  (Information taken from the internet).

This castle is within walking distance of Justin and Michaela's ranch and a visit really takes you back to life in the medieval times.



Base of the Castle



Servant's quarters circled three quarters of the way around the base of the castle.   While not on a mountain, the castle does sit on a significant sandstone base and the servants dug into the sandstone creating "refrigerator" rooms adjacent to their living quarters a technique you regularly see in today's villages that have homes adjoining sandstone prominences .





Across the street from Kost Castle



 We ate a couple meals on the wooden deck of this hotel/restaurant.  Please note the roadway in front of the hotel; it is one car width wide, potholed, and is the only road that gets you around the castle.  It probably handles a couple hundred cars a day and no one knows why it isn't widened and repaired. We can only guess that America isn't the only country with infrastructure problems and insufficient money to fix them.



Kost Castle from
the hotel deck

 Rule #1: Never shoot a picture with the sun as your backdrop!  It still gives you a feeling for the castle and note the people in the forefront of the picture;  I believe there are two bicycles for each resident of the Czech Republic and they take their biking very seriously; they are everywhere.




Three generations of Tilton's

 The Tilton clan awaits a lunch of Jezek at the hotel's restaurant. Pork Jezek, standard Czech fare,  is a boneless pork chop pounded, breaded, and deep fried accompanied by a small fresh salad and potatoes (mashed, roasted, or croquettes).  It is a treat, we want to try to cook when we get home.



Ramp, Bridge, and Door to
Hrad Kost Castle



This is another view of the castle where tours begin.  Not pictured (yet) are the two large, gorgeous lakes that flank the castle on two sides.  Apparently, bottled water and indoor plumbing didn't go over as well here as it did in America, so seems that all the castle contractors elected to build on rivers and lakes; well as we always say, "location, location, location."



 

 

The Walk in the Forrest

Who carved this one?

This 115 year old monument left in honor of Jesus Christ stands unobtrusively at the edge of a Srbsko village side street. 




Interestingly, monuments like this are found in every village, some in the most obscured and out-of-the-way places you could imagine.



 

Sleeping Beauty's place







A typical entrance to a typical village home; does this look like something straight out of Disneyland or what?





"Junior Plus" recreational facility



A recreational complex in Serbsko village that hosts everyone from tourists to business executives for retreats.  It has its own cafe and many recreational facilities.





"Grandpa, I missed a
flower for my basket!"



We took long walks on trails and old logging roads through forests.  It is so quiet and peaceful that you can actually hear the echos of bird songs.

2-days later,
no street signs, no GPS, 
still lost; we may be in
Germany, 
this is Carol's idea of a short
walk in the woods!

  On our walks, we couldn't help but imagine streams of royalty trekking from their homes in Britain, Spain, France, etc., through these woods to their summer castles where they would party, hunt, and plot all manner of political and military strategies before returning home.  This land just drives fantasy visions of medieval times in such a manner that you would not be surprised if while on the trail a band of knights rode past at a full-gallop.



"Haven't seen any border
crossings yet."

 (Here you can see a whole stand of young trees because the Czech gov't. requires that on public or private land if you remove a tree, you Will replace it and their forest rangers even use satellite photographs to keep tabs on removal of any and all forest  products.) 



All the king's men
may be watching you
from up there.



When walking in the forest, you never know what lies around the next bend or who is watching you from the vantage point atop the canyon wall's rocks,

 

Help for the tourists
lost in the woods!

when suddenly there's a sign  to let you know that there's a pub just a short distance that'a way.
















The Forest Pub

 Running into a pub in the forest is like encountering a bank, service station, or church in America. 

OMG Justin, its a Harley, a Ford Mustang, and the Hell's Angels!  But, I don't care long as I get a seat and a chance to throw back a cold one.






"Look Sofie, this is huge!"

 

When the girls said, "I want a bar." I said, "me too."

I wasn't thinking ice cream bar, but as you can see it's the little things in life that make us happiest.  Pa had a Kola. 





  


 



Carmel by the Woods!



Who'd a thunk it, but on the way home we came upon a pasture that had been converted into an eight-hole golf course; however, we doubt Tiger Woods or any of his buddies ever play here.

 



More fun stuff on the farm




"You guys think
this is 5-Star food? 
 Where exactly
are you from?"I swear,
the goat actually said this.



After finishing Justin's 5-Star evening meals, grandpa and the girls took the left-overs out to the goats.



 

"Picked what,
grandpa?"



Sofia can pick flowers

faster than grandpa can plant them.




"Just one more
 little push!"



 

Here's the exact reason why there are no health clubs in the Czech Republic.



"I hope this is where it goes!"





"What'd mean, wrong spot?"





Ralph and the bean stalk,
an old Czech fairy tale.

Talk about Green, we took pine saplings from overcrowded forest area, stuck them in the ground, strung the netting off the hay bales between the poles, and then planted pole beans under it all.  If those beans grow that high Justin and I are going to climb the stalk and see if we can find that fabled chicken.

Podebrady



One of the one-lane highways
 we took going to Podebrady

There are main highways between larger cities that are akin to our four lane freeways; however, the remainder of the roads, between villages are single lane. Pedestrians that generally are without sidewalks have the right-of-way as do bicyclists.  Now imagine a winding, climbing mountain road with many pedestrians, several bicyclists a curve coming up and an as yet an unseen full size tour bus, a tractor, a logging truck and some type-A personalities in cars trying to pass the commercial vehicles; all of this presented to you as you negotiate the curve.  This is why I'd rather not drive here, it's like a
Disneyland "E-ticket" ride!
There are, however, surprisingly few accidents and Justin says surprisingly little litigation in this country.





First impression?  "It's our kinda place!" 

Many one lane roads later we arrived in a spa town named Podebrady;  Justin took us on a tour.  It is a large village devoted to health recovery following serious illness or surgery, so it is replete with walk ways, gardens, and places to sit in the shade of large trees.


"I left my heart in Podebrady"

Some clever fellow with a plasma torch constructed these three metal sculptures, but if I had just finished serious heart surgery I don't think I'd need a reminder as to why I was there but oh well they are pretty.





The Young at
Heart!

 

Look out when we get home
that's the Fountain of
Youth behind us! 



Our tour guide and of
course his mother.
 



Could be a view
from our window

Justin always said that when we got "old" he would put us in a nice home.  We're wondering if this is what he had in mind?  He's such a nice boy.





"What time is it?" 
"What'd you say?"

 

You know that only old people visit here; why else would they make a clock this big?  And, outta flowers no less.  We have reservations for a two night visit here 24 - 26 June and one of our next blogs will provide a run-down of our stay.