Stunning views from the fortress

Never conquered, never under siege

The intricate system of gates, tar and oil contraptions, bombs and
bridges made Koenigstein the refuge for many regimes and their loot:
polish and Saxonian kings, Napoleon, the Nazis (for American POWs) and
Soviets (as a war hospital).

Second gate: Medusa's head

Out of the seven gates separating the fortress from the world, this
one is the most symbolic and prettiest one. According to the Greek
mythology, Medusa (who can be recognized by the serpents instead of
hair on her head) turns everyone to stone she looks at...we both felt
a little stiff, but decided to blame it on the Siberian temperatures.

Summer? 46 degrees Fahrenheit and winds from the East

The weather was kind of appropriate in this foreboding fortress
environment

Touring the Koenigstein Fortress

After a fortifying Saxonian breakfast, including Robin's favorite:
liverwurst, we were ready to visit yet another castle with our friend,
the British-sounding audio guide.

Little bed & breakfast to rest our wary bones

We decided to stay in the countryside for the evening. Started to roll
down the hill back towards town, and pulled off at a cute little place
that had an inviting feel, and some wonderful smells coming from the
kitchen. Lovely indeed.

Settled in with a delightful warm meal, and we were curled up in bed
by 10... By far our earliest evening yet! Ha.

Konigstein castle off in the distance

Still driving through the park, we caught a glimpse if the Konigstein
castle off in the distance... We'll be visiting there tomorrow. It is
on the other side of the Elbe river, and we will have to drive back
down to town, cross the river, then around to the castle on the other
side.

Lilienstein

The first known freeclimbing was recorded here in 1864, and to this
day more than 18,500 sites exists to this area.

Nature!!

We found the "sand stone mountain" national park. Situated along the
Elbe river basin, really stunning rock formations rise out of the
rolling hills in the area.

"House of romance"

As we approached the border of the Czech republic and Germany, we
noticed a lot of little houses on the side of the winding road with an
unusual amount of hearts on the signs, offering rooms "with service".
My resident German explained that these border towns are an economical
side trip for german men to make for a little "romance". Not quite
seedy, but a little weird in such a picturesque surrounding!

Planning and navigating...

Co-pilot is no slacker job!! Maps, books, historical facts, snacks,
and beverages, oh my! Although, we probably could change the cd more
than once a day! Ha. Guess we are distracted with all the places we to
go, and things to see.

Bohemian style church in passing...

Driving, listening to the Juno soundtrack (over and over)

Post-communist villages, untouched by tourism

After the polish and chotic tourist circuit in Prague, it felt so
genuine to drive through little villages, and see the houses and town
buildings in their natural states.

Over the hills and through the woods little Czech villages we go!

Quick Motorest, and a turn off the beaten path

About 45 minutes out of Prague, the weather started to clear a little,
and after a pee-break at the Motorest... We decided to take the scenic
route to Dresden. We programmed a little town to the east of Dresden,
Konigstein, into the GPS, and headed off the beaten path into the
hills and small villages in the north of the Czech Republic.

P.S. Check this out...

Next time you order a Pilsner Urquell, check out the little releif of
the gate on the back of the bottle... Same gate we drove through going
into the brewery in Pilsen!

Leaving Prague...

Just as we are finally getting the hang of using the train system, we
are out.

Little stop back at the hotel to check out the map and send a few blog
updates, and we are going to hit the road again. Only 80 miles or so
to Dresden, we are going to find a place to stay, and see what we can
see this evening.

Hoping the rain clears up tomorrow so we can really absorb the city
and surroundings. Several stops on our itinerary are a national park
that boasts some sort of rock formations, another castle (suoppsedly
to foreboding-looking to invade!), and The porcelain capital of Europe
called Meissen.

Spent our $$, time to head out

Walked around old town a but more.... Spent the remainder of our czeck
crowns, and it was just kinda cold and rainy. Time to move on.

Panorama #5

Sent from the wonder phone...