The three previously free states along the Balkin sea freed themselves from the Soviet rule imposed after World War II. They have since enjoyed freedom and increasing prosperity with their own versions of a mix of Capitalism and Socialism. We wanted to see this for ourselves, and what better way than by bicycle, feet and some public transportation, which is generally excellent. The photos were supposed to start in Tallinn, Estonia, the most successful, go south to Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania, and countryside between. But WordPress often had its own ideas. This is just an introduction and may be added to later.
Art poster in Lithuania
Srt poster
Wedding in the Square.
Inside of a Soviet submarine.
Yellow Submarine!
Bicycling friends playing
Root Cellar
Fearless Leader
Sculpture garden at a castle
Bicycle museum
African religious figure
Banner across from Russian embassy in Rigia
Claire playing the Ukraine national anthem at the Russian border.
View of Russia on the Balkin sea
Hill of Crosses on the pilgrimage route.
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There is no better way to visit the Baltics than through Helsinki, Finland. There are direct flights from the US, avoiding the hell hole of Heathrow. It is reminiscent of Kóbenhavn, but smaller, easy to cover in a couple of days. The transit is wonderful, but even though there are thousands of cheap rental bikes and scooters, the bicycle infrastructure has a ways to go, and you don’t see many cyclists. Part of that may be laid on the easy to use light rail which puts upu within walking distance of most it within walking distance of your destination. Below Is just a taste of an interesting city.
Interesting fountains all over the city
We found some great cool camping in Western Maryland, and the lovely Western Maryland Rail Trail. It parallels the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath trail, and it is paved.
The C&O Canal
View from our campsite at Rocky Gap State Park