Blizzard #2

The two days we had in Arakhova were the only two days that the Mt Parnassos ski resort were closed. We decided to see the sights at Delphi and then head back towards Athens and the Peloponnese (we thought that migrating south would result in warmer weather).

We woke up early expecting to go skiing but learned that it was closed again due to high winds. We headed to see the ancient sight of the Oracle at Delphi. Unfortunately, the site was "too icey" and so we had to settle for a walk through the awesome museum (filled with statues from the pediments of the Temple and gifts to the Oracle) and a beautiful view of the valley.

We tried our luck at another site, the Monastery of St. Loukas, but as we turned off the main roads to the site the snow drifts were insurmountable with our little Renault rental, and obviously not open due to the lack of previous car tracks.

The drive down was exciting as we ran into a blizzard. For the next hour we were the only car without chains on our tires trecking on the main road back to the Nat'l Hwy. We almost made it until we were on the entrance ramp to the hwy when we got stuck and I jumped out to push, snow spraying from the tires in my face. After that we were golden, experienced MN drivers can handle anything! A three hour trip turned into 5.5 hrs but we escaped the thunderous snow storm and are relaxing in the seaside town, Nafplio.

Today, more ruins at Epidavros, a center for medicine in antiquity. The famous Temple of Asklepios, father of medicine and the favorite "bunch of rocks," aka ruins, for my dad. I found the most impressive theater yet (and I've seen A LOT on this trip!) A world-renowned acousitic wonder as it passed the pin-drop test from the center of the orchestra as someone else stood at the very top of the 14,000 capacity theater. WOW!

Next, two hours of rock climbing... well not exactly. We explored every corner and lookout tower of the 18th century Palamidi Fortress with views of the sea, Nafplio, and snow capped mountains. It felt like a setting for some war movie.

Getting lost on the way to the Bavarian Lion, we landed on a dirt road to the Monastery of the Metamorphoses. Again, not much to see at the site but a pleasant drive with the opportunity to see the beautiful Greek countryside with olive groves and goats a plenty. We slowed down to watch the sunset from the swingset on the Bouboulinas, a waterfront promenade. Off to dinner at 10pm,
kali nicta!
Love,
Katie and John

P.S. Shout out to Goff, McLam and Lizzard! Thanks for your emails and when there is dirt to report - not to worry you will be the first to know! (PS i'm traveling with my dad...)