Thursday, April 28th 2016

When Instructed To Use A Dirt Road -  Don't Do It

We drove from Lublin to Krakow

It could have been a 4 hour journey straight through

But why do that?

We took minor roads, which wound through orchards and rolling fields - sometimes an elevation for great views across Poland. Midway we set a destination for the town of Opatow and then as we got closer for Zamek (Castle) Krzyztopor.

It's a ruin, a relic. Built in 1631 and never finished.

Inside you can wander up and under. We were the only people there. A group of high school kids left as we arrived.

It's 5 stories above ground and i level below with many chambers.

Small children would have a field day here running around.










Leaving is when the GPS developed an alternate way of thinking - first time for this device.

We started down a minor road, no problem. Then turned to dirt. We kept going forward.

Then the GPS instructed a right turn on to a path that was little more than a few tread marks.

We didn't obey, continued down the dirt road, which was off the grid.

Twisting through a few bends, no place not turn around, I spied pavement ahead. We were home free.

Made it to Krakow and the B&B near the airport.  A private home, spotless and very nice.

Absolutely no English spoken or understood.

Next door to the Sofia B&B were summer garden cottages. You see them all over Europe - small wooden shacks with large gardens.

This is where people from the city come to grow their own.

I'd been wanting to get a couple of pics but it was always inconvenient. These were right next door.

Poland has taken this concept to new levels.

Their shacks are truly cottages and seem to be generations old with porches - like miniature houses.

Mature trees (fruit bearing) and, of course, large vegetable garden taking every cm of space.

It would be fun to do a coffee-table book about the culture of these communities. 

We returned the rental rig at the airport, took the train into the city ($2) and plunked ourselves down in Krakow's town square for mulled wine/hot chocolate.  

Wandered around and then met Eric Lickiss and Maja for dinner. Stayed out too late, but were having too much fun. 

We're at the airport as I write - free WIFI in the business class lounge (compliments of Sandy's million mile status). 

We wouldn't change a thing about our trip - except maybe 1 night in Boleslawiec instead of 2. Minor detail. 

t's been a good trip from all perspectives. The trip was flexible. We could decide spontaneously a course of travel. We had challenges - like find bubblewrap and shoelaces. Language was a problem. WIFI was strong everywhere. Devices functioned. Car was great.

But, we'll be glad to come home . See you soon and thanks for following along.