Father & Son backpacking europe progress
- Thread starter 1leglance
- Start date
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Sorry it has been a bit since the last update but we have been short on wifi and it just isn't possible to update this thread from my phone...but while I have a connection let's get to the story.
First from the “then vs now” file let's take a look at my turn of the century journal to see what it says. Under the heading “Radiograms” we learn that “ Radiograms to & from ships at sea are now handled essentially the same as telegrams and cablegrams.” That was then, a bright future at hand where you could stay in touch with someone on a long ocean voyage. Today I carry a phone thinner than my watch and the size of my palm that not only accepts calls around the world but has provided internet access almost everyone we can been, pretty amazing.
But what you really want are some pics and tidbits of our trip.
Well we went on a tour of Dachau Concentration Camp and you won't find any pics from me because it just didn't seem right to go “tourist mode” in a place like that. I will say that I learned tons and I have tremendous respect for the German people in not only accepting their past but making sure everyone comes away being sure to never let it happen again.
In order to recover from the very somber and sad Dachau we went to the Science & Tech Museum and the Transportation Museum in Munich. Very cool and the Germans deserve their rep for precession and engineering.
Here is Nathan standing in front of one of the engine displays, they had everything from old single cylinders to wankels to turbines, very cool.
The place was huge! There were planes, boats, space capsules and so much more setup. If you are ever in the area it is worth checking out. But get the pass good for all 3 sites so you can see it all, but over a couple of days!
As someone who has "Be Prepared" on my windshield I like checking out survival or ditch bags. This setup for pilots/ships from days gone by was very interesting in that it included chewing gum.
Since Germany was the first home of printing it makes sense they would devote a bit of the space to that art.
As a fan of overland navigation and since I run a laptop/gps in my rig the section on maps, navigation & surveys captured my attention for quite a while. They plaque said this was the first portable gps setup.
But to be fair to the days gone by I was really amazed at the lithographs of land maps from the 1700's. To etch these on stone and have this ability meant power and wealth.
Even more amazing was the display on the first woodcut map printing blocks from the 1500's.
First from the “then vs now” file let's take a look at my turn of the century journal to see what it says. Under the heading “Radiograms” we learn that “ Radiograms to & from ships at sea are now handled essentially the same as telegrams and cablegrams.” That was then, a bright future at hand where you could stay in touch with someone on a long ocean voyage. Today I carry a phone thinner than my watch and the size of my palm that not only accepts calls around the world but has provided internet access almost everyone we can been, pretty amazing.
But what you really want are some pics and tidbits of our trip.
Well we went on a tour of Dachau Concentration Camp and you won't find any pics from me because it just didn't seem right to go “tourist mode” in a place like that. I will say that I learned tons and I have tremendous respect for the German people in not only accepting their past but making sure everyone comes away being sure to never let it happen again.
In order to recover from the very somber and sad Dachau we went to the Science & Tech Museum and the Transportation Museum in Munich. Very cool and the Germans deserve their rep for precession and engineering.
Here is Nathan standing in front of one of the engine displays, they had everything from old single cylinders to wankels to turbines, very cool.
The place was huge! There were planes, boats, space capsules and so much more setup. If you are ever in the area it is worth checking out. But get the pass good for all 3 sites so you can see it all, but over a couple of days!
As someone who has "Be Prepared" on my windshield I like checking out survival or ditch bags. This setup for pilots/ships from days gone by was very interesting in that it included chewing gum.
Since Germany was the first home of printing it makes sense they would devote a bit of the space to that art.
As a fan of overland navigation and since I run a laptop/gps in my rig the section on maps, navigation & surveys captured my attention for quite a while. They plaque said this was the first portable gps setup.
But to be fair to the days gone by I was really amazed at the lithographs of land maps from the 1700's. To etch these on stone and have this ability meant power and wealth.
Even more amazing was the display on the first woodcut map printing blocks from the 1500's.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
We did a Rhine River cruise which is a relaxing way to see lots of castles, to the point you are pretty well castled out by the end. I think it would have been better to see fewer places in person than so many from a distance...I guess that is why we overland.
The contrast of the river today with commerece, tourist and travel with what it must have been like back in the days of these castles. Still with commerece, tourist and travel but wooden boats, pilmgrages and wanderers.
We did go see Neuschwanstein which is supposed to be the castle that inspired Walt Disney. It was interesting but the story behind it was much more so. Do a bit of research but be ready for some serious uphill travel if you go yourself.
But Germany could only hold us for so long before it was off to Rome on a nighttrain. And since it has been awhile since I posted a vehicle related pic here is one. Not sure if this is a new Italian camping option or what.
Crowds, I hate crowds, I really really hate crowds and Nathan is no different. Many places we went by barely got a passing glance from us due to the crowds. If it was something that seemed cool we came back either late at night or early in the am. This is a perfect example of what most of Rome looked like.
The contrast of the river today with commerece, tourist and travel with what it must have been like back in the days of these castles. Still with commerece, tourist and travel but wooden boats, pilmgrages and wanderers.
We did go see Neuschwanstein which is supposed to be the castle that inspired Walt Disney. It was interesting but the story behind it was much more so. Do a bit of research but be ready for some serious uphill travel if you go yourself.
But Germany could only hold us for so long before it was off to Rome on a nighttrain. And since it has been awhile since I posted a vehicle related pic here is one. Not sure if this is a new Italian camping option or what.
Crowds, I hate crowds, I really really hate crowds and Nathan is no different. Many places we went by barely got a passing glance from us due to the crowds. If it was something that seemed cool we came back either late at night or early in the am. This is a perfect example of what most of Rome looked like.
Harald Hansen
Explorer
Re: crowds: I went to Rome in February once and had a blast. No crowds and the temperature was just right.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I already told my wife if she wants to come to Rome we are figuring out the off season and going then....thanks for the feb tip!
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
When I toured the Sportsmobile factory they were working on a cool law enforcement setup so of course I had to take some pics of the Euro rigs...
And for you Land Rover folks here is something to make up for the lack of attention. I really liked the fold up riot screens and being a diesel means plenty of torque to get through the crowds
Being in Rome of course means a trip to the Vatican, and being on a trip with my new to adulthood son planning everything means we need all the help we can get. Lucky for us the Pope was speaking and we hung around just long enough to be blessed...and then got out of the crowds to walk around the place and check out the art, statues, and such.
Scooters, scooters, scooters everywhere, stacked/packed/and racked. It was amazing to watch folks dash around on these things and then park a few hundred in a tiny street. Of course I was imagining trying to drive my FJ Cruiser and realized there wasn't really enough room. Some of the streets solved the space & scooter problem by just making use of the sides in creative ways.
In case you were worried we did get over to check out many of the major sites, but Nathan & I tend to have a different take on things. I was just as interested in the old in the middle of the new perspective as I was the history of everything.
And for you Land Rover folks here is something to make up for the lack of attention. I really liked the fold up riot screens and being a diesel means plenty of torque to get through the crowds
Being in Rome of course means a trip to the Vatican, and being on a trip with my new to adulthood son planning everything means we need all the help we can get. Lucky for us the Pope was speaking and we hung around just long enough to be blessed...and then got out of the crowds to walk around the place and check out the art, statues, and such.
Scooters, scooters, scooters everywhere, stacked/packed/and racked. It was amazing to watch folks dash around on these things and then park a few hundred in a tiny street. Of course I was imagining trying to drive my FJ Cruiser and realized there wasn't really enough room. Some of the streets solved the space & scooter problem by just making use of the sides in creative ways.
In case you were worried we did get over to check out many of the major sites, but Nathan & I tend to have a different take on things. I was just as interested in the old in the middle of the new perspective as I was the history of everything.
ttora4runner
Expedition Leader
Very cool Lance.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I have to say that many of the sites of Rome were just as impressive at night, well lit and much quieter without the crowds. And while you can't get inside there is plenty to see from the outside and a much better chance to contemplate them.
We made another stop that you won't see pics of and that was at a Capuchin Church with more skeletal artwork. It seems that we are picking up a subtheme on this trip of looking at dead folks turned into art. I am sure it was a sacred and holy thing at the time but the question becomes one of education vs gawking tourism..I haven't figured out my stance yet, but of course I will keep checking these out as we travel. No pics both because the monks request it and this place had a more sacred feel than Kunta Hora's Ossuary.
But back to things we did get pics of, and one of those really struck me both in it's simplicity and it's significance. On the wall outside the Roman Forum was this set of 4 large bronze plaques that showed stages of the Roman Empire. As a traveler today I enjoy imagining myself as a traveler of centuries past. A Roman could have traveled a fair bit of the world without ever leaving the Empire during the height of conquest. And yet in comparison things started pretty small.
This rig caught my eye due to it's very very Jeep like grill. But more than a glance tells a person this is not a Jeep at all. It's a Daewoo and I know nothing about them, anyone have a clue?
Some things about being a traveler in past times are impossible for me to imagine, things such as coming from a rural or remote area and in Rome finding massive structures, buildings and monuments like this. Living in a hut and then seeing the radiant white marble would strike awe into any heart.
We today are a bit more jaded especially when greeted with sites of “Centenarians” working the crowds for pictures. This guy moved over to where the buses dropped off in order to get first dibs on tourist. Funniest of all to me was the times he would hold his helmet a bit sideways in order to use his cellphone.
From Rome we moved on to Milan for a day, and a day was plenty for us. I am sure there is much more worthy of seeing in Milan but after Rome we were well done with churches, monuments, statues and such. However we were able to still find some things interesting, for me the idea of using the building to tell stories, teach and impress to those who couldn't read is pretty cool. And they weren't shy about keeping it kid friendly as this panel of the door was head high to a 5 yr old.
And it wasn't a small panel on a small door either as you can see here.
We made another stop that you won't see pics of and that was at a Capuchin Church with more skeletal artwork. It seems that we are picking up a subtheme on this trip of looking at dead folks turned into art. I am sure it was a sacred and holy thing at the time but the question becomes one of education vs gawking tourism..I haven't figured out my stance yet, but of course I will keep checking these out as we travel. No pics both because the monks request it and this place had a more sacred feel than Kunta Hora's Ossuary.
But back to things we did get pics of, and one of those really struck me both in it's simplicity and it's significance. On the wall outside the Roman Forum was this set of 4 large bronze plaques that showed stages of the Roman Empire. As a traveler today I enjoy imagining myself as a traveler of centuries past. A Roman could have traveled a fair bit of the world without ever leaving the Empire during the height of conquest. And yet in comparison things started pretty small.
This rig caught my eye due to it's very very Jeep like grill. But more than a glance tells a person this is not a Jeep at all. It's a Daewoo and I know nothing about them, anyone have a clue?
Some things about being a traveler in past times are impossible for me to imagine, things such as coming from a rural or remote area and in Rome finding massive structures, buildings and monuments like this. Living in a hut and then seeing the radiant white marble would strike awe into any heart.
We today are a bit more jaded especially when greeted with sites of “Centenarians” working the crowds for pictures. This guy moved over to where the buses dropped off in order to get first dibs on tourist. Funniest of all to me was the times he would hold his helmet a bit sideways in order to use his cellphone.
From Rome we moved on to Milan for a day, and a day was plenty for us. I am sure there is much more worthy of seeing in Milan but after Rome we were well done with churches, monuments, statues and such. However we were able to still find some things interesting, for me the idea of using the building to tell stories, teach and impress to those who couldn't read is pretty cool. And they weren't shy about keeping it kid friendly as this panel of the door was head high to a 5 yr old.
And it wasn't a small panel on a small door either as you can see here.
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I will say that walking around on the roof of a church was a new experience and even though we were in Milan and not Paris I couldn't help having the Hunchback of Norte Dame urges to swing off parapets with abandon and talk to the hundreds of statues.
But it only took a quick glance at our height and the many sharp stone spires to dampen my desire for acrobatics. I did wonder about who all the characters where gracing the tops of towers, under arches and around every corner we looked. The contrast between the extraordinary level of detail in these cathedrals compared to our construction style of today is kind of sad.
I always like to see creative solutions to problems such as a narrow passageway and the desire to have a handrail.
Walking around Milan, the home of Italian fashion and style and seeing all the sports cars made this Jeep stand out to us more than normal. Funny how at home this stocker wouldn't give us pause but next to a Ferrari and all the tiny cars we saw it really seemed massive.
Some things just aren't in the guidebooks or are such a local custom you have to ask. While walking through a park we found this bridge covered in locks. But we couldn't find anyone in the area to ask the why of it all. Lots of hearts drawn on the locks and initials so I have to figure it is a good luck with love thing.
But it only took a quick glance at our height and the many sharp stone spires to dampen my desire for acrobatics. I did wonder about who all the characters where gracing the tops of towers, under arches and around every corner we looked. The contrast between the extraordinary level of detail in these cathedrals compared to our construction style of today is kind of sad.
I always like to see creative solutions to problems such as a narrow passageway and the desire to have a handrail.
Walking around Milan, the home of Italian fashion and style and seeing all the sports cars made this Jeep stand out to us more than normal. Funny how at home this stocker wouldn't give us pause but next to a Ferrari and all the tiny cars we saw it really seemed massive.
Some things just aren't in the guidebooks or are such a local custom you have to ask. While walking through a park we found this bridge covered in locks. But we couldn't find anyone in the area to ask the why of it all. Lots of hearts drawn on the locks and initials so I have to figure it is a good luck with love thing.
XXXpedition
Explorer
lance,
only now had a chance to read through your thread...
awesome trip!
nice pics!
well, europe has somethings to offer, but i still miss the space and open land in the states. a co-worker from magdalena is american and misses that too....
but also great for little weekend trips around the area
sven
only now had a chance to read through your thread...
awesome trip!
nice pics!
well, europe has somethings to offer, but i still miss the space and open land in the states. a co-worker from magdalena is american and misses that too....
but also great for little weekend trips around the area
sven