Wallachia in summer

 Just a few pics from the end of August and early September:

Western Tatras, Slovakia

From my August trip to the Western Tatras (Západné Tatry) in Slovakia.  Not sure I need words.  

This last one is of my new trail friends, who I was very happy to hang out with after the scary (for me) ascent of the less-scary side of Banikov.  Beautiful, beautiful hike.   

Zlin--Building 34 after the fire

After the terrible fire in July, I had to go to Zlin for business on July 30 and then again on August 24. Very sad, but amazing that nobody was seriously injured.  

Here are some pics from July 30.  The first is the side facing the bus station:

This one is from the back side:

And now, from August 24.  This is from the side facing the bus station, just like the first picture.  They were actively tearing it down as I watched:

And about forty minutes later, after my appointment.  Look at the lower few stories on the left.  They're gone.

A few pics from Nuremburg (Nürnberg)

 From my trip in July:

I sat here in the castle grounds just relaxing and doing a puzzle had three nice conversations with three separate sets of Germans:  

Last time I was here, they were having a Medieval festival here, in the moat of the castle.  Thanks, Nuremberg, for ruining all other medieval festivals for me!   

Bamberg, Germany

From my trip in July, this is the town hall, built diplomatically on the bridge between rival parts of town...as best I understand.  

Old town:

A super cool place to live (except maybe for the tourists constantly taking pictures of you and your house).

Overwesel and Bacharach, Germany

 Just some fairytale villages with old town walls and castles along a river.  Yawn.  

Oberwesel:

Bacharach:

Loreley on the Rhine

Legend says that above the narrowest and most treacherous part of the Rhine, Loreley sits and combs her hair, singing and bewitching the sailors below, drawing them to their deaths.  

Because this is such a fun and wholesome thing to do, they have a perch with a handy comb for tourists to emulate her:

  

And here's a link to my favorite song about her:  "Loreley" by Blackmore's Night

https://youtu.be/tUhmjmkLnxY?si=9qDJVxQx7uHRhzRf