More Melnik Meandering: Rozhen Monastery, Villa Melnik, Classic MZ Moto & Organic Orbelus Winery

Last night Melnik experienced a rare summer thunderstorm. This morning it is misty, and a thick layer of clouds and fog hug the Melnik Sand Pyramids. We hope the weather clears as we want to visit the nearby Rozhen Monastery and hike the surrounding area for views of Melnik and its famous pyramids. The Welsh […]

Villa Melnik Winery—Where Happiness Comes From A Family Working Together & Preserving Bulgarian Heritage

Putting Bulgarian Wine & Melnik On The Map—Literally After I pull off the main road, I wind my way through small villages on a narrow road, passing through Vranya, Spanchevo, and Harsavo. I see a few elderly men sitting on a curb. A dog sprints across the street, and a few cats scurry about. As […]

Welcome To Bulgaria

It took just about twenty minutes to venture through the line at the border between Greece and Bulgaria and another ten minutes to clear customs and immigrations with another stamp in my passport. I last was in Bulgaria in September 2016, so this crossing doesn’t add another country to my growing list. What it represents, […]

Bulgaria Bound Despite the Tug of Athens and Greece—Onward To Thessaloniki

Leaving most anywhere always tugs at my heart and mind; it makes me sad. I know I must move and get on with this adventure, but especially here in Athens, I feel a connection, a sense of belonging. I recognize this, but I must temper my mindset and shrug off the feelings. Last night I […]

Athens Captured: Spirit & Food. Friends & Mood.

  Temperatures are soaring here in Athens. Still, I climb the stairs to my third-floor apartment here in Marina Zeas rather than use the elevator. After just three days in the city, I shower several times a day for relief from the heat and to rinse the sweat. George at Vagianelis BMW tells me my bike […]

The Long Flight & Run To Athens—The 2019 Journey of Adventure & Discovery Begins

My little cottage in Leucadia is finally organized, and clear of all the stuff, I’m taking to Greece for my Summer Eastern European Adventure. Before embarking on an extended trip, I get a tad anxious. One the one hand, I want to be sure I have everything I think I’ll need, especially those items that […]

Podcast #34 Tamela Rich | Musings, Connections & Highway Kitsch From North Carolina to Oregon & Beyond

#34 Tamela Rich | Musings, Connections & Highway Kitsch From North Carolina to Oregon & Beyond  Meet Best-Selling Author of “Living Life Full Throttle” and “Hit The Road: A Woman’s Guide to Solo Motorcycle Touring” Tamela Rich I discovered this podcast with Tamela Rich from 2015 that I lost through the cracks in the floor […]

Live Music: Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano

Loved the passionate performance by ex-Blasters guitaris Dave Alvin and legendary blues legend Jimmie Dale Gilmore this evening at the venerable Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. They played nearly half of their recent album including a heart-felt cover of the 1960s anthem “Come On People Now.” Always great to see Dave, one of my […]

Old Friends & Old Cars

I made some time to visit a best friend going way back to high school. Although Rob and his wife Julia and I live just twenty minutes from each other, I don’t visit him often enough. I’ll see him now and again at family events as I’m good friends with Julia’s sister Angie and the […]

The Tally And Back In The USA

My flight landed this afternoon at Dulles Airport here in Washington DC. Looking forward to spending time with my brother Jonathan and his family before flying to California later this week.   The Tally: Three Months Eleven Countries 5,489 Miles My bike is stores safely in Athens and I’ll return next July for the next […]