Geo: 47.8, 13.0333Packed up from Croatia this morning and drove to Salzburg. On the way we stopped at Lake Bled, Slovenia. Don't really know anything about it except the lake is very pretty and a monastery was built on a small island during the middle ages.The pair of airheads then took the autobahn to Salzburg. Airheads as the countryside was beautiful, and we were on the Austrian autobahn, not German with some sections having no speed limit. Nonetheless the speed limit here was in the low to mid 80's. Even so we took our lives into our hands a couple of times and pulled over for a shot. Temp continues to change. During the drive we saw snow on the mountain tops and encountered a temperature of nine a couple of times. Okay so it was ... read more

Geo: 45.2296, 13.6088Took a day trip to both Porec and Rovinj. Bird labels this a "down day". Sure was after yesterday. The highlight, we imagine, was a Byzantine Cathedral, but even that didn't seem especially impressive. It was built in the fifth Century, perhaps after Justinian reconquered Italy, and we image this portion of land to Italy's east. While taking pictures over the water of Porec we were pleased to hear one of Doozer and Baby Bird's favorite songs-Cotton Fields. We also enjoyed seeing extensive plantings of grapes and olives. Perhaps Italy is better known for each, but they grow their share here. And on the way back to Pula we stopped at a roadside stand (there were a great number) and purchased a small bottle of Grappa.... read more

Geo: 44.8739, 13.8453We traveled from Split to Pula yesterday in the rain. You may recall we were complaining about the 90 plus temps in Dubrovnik. Well folks, we barely made the 60's today, and we are back in long pants. As we titled this entry, the amphitheater here is nothing short of amazing. The outside is essentially intact even though the construction began before Christ was born and completed in AD 14. Inside, well you recall the Church and Middle Ages, those folks again stole parts (people quarry your own stone!). Nonetheless, even the inside remains impressive. This was Great!! Even Bird was impressed. She worries if HP will remain sane in Rome.A bit of history now. The amphitheater was extremely fortunate to make it to us. The Venetians, you recall those not nice folks, considered ... read more

Geo: 43.729, 15.9056We also traveled to Sibenik today to see the Cathedral of St. James. Construction began in 1431 taking 105 years to complete. The delay was produced by the Turks attempting to overrun the area and plague. The outside is fairly average, so no pictures, while the interior is a little better. The aspect we were most impressed with were the statues carved out of wood, one of which we include.We would be remiss not to include Bird's most impressive shoehorn of HP parking yet. And no Baby Bird and Doozer we did not listen to your favorite songs Cotton Fields and King of the Road as we composed this.... read more

Geo: 43.524, 16.8178Traveled from Dubrovnik to Split (both in Croatia) yesterday with a brief stop in Omis. The latter has a massive gorge through solid rock with a flowing river into the sea. Our only picture, however, is of a spring flowing out of solid rock. There is also a picture of a cute town hugging the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Arriving in Split Sheila made contact with our host, and shoe horned Fred again into an impossibly small parking spot. Fred demanded to immediately walk the full three minutes from our apt to Diocletian's Palace. More on that tomorrow.Upon returning from Dio's small house, we stopped at the market for wine, bread and cheese. Unbelievably, the most resourceful Handsome Pop later found a way to stream the Falcon's game, all the more enjoyable as ... read more