Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Storks

Wed, Jul 17, 2024
Marjamaa, Estonia to Parnu, Estonia
miles today 46.8
miles so far 1224.6
feet climbed today 240.0
feet climbed so far 39,044.0

We went to the grocery store for breakfast, then left around 915am. 
The weather was nice with temps in the 70s. The headwind was cool and around 15 mph. The highway was the direct route today, but we tried to stay off of it as much as possible.  
I saw storks and stork nests.
On one section of a quiet side road, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw some young men on bikes! 
They had come from Tallinn (probably not today) and were going to Parnu... same as us. From this section, we all got on the highway.  They pulled off at a bus stop and we passedd them and said there was another quiet side road ahead. So, they followed. At the end of this 2nd quiet side road, we got back on the highway.  I don't think they did.  I saw one on the phone and one headed the opposite direction to a gas station.  Maybe they just needed to get some food. Hopefully they made it.
The highway was so noisy and busy that we took side roads as much as possible... even a couple of gravel ones. 
Lynn saw the Camino sticker. 
Then we stopped to look at this church and discovered it is part of the Camino.
The door was unlocked so we took a peak inside. I think someone was getting a tour, and they left the door unlocked. 
We got into Parnu around 230pm (after it rained on us for the last 6 miles). 
Parnu is a beach resort town on The Gulf of Riga. There are lots of people and things going on! 
We checked into Koidula Park Hotel around 3pm. It is $118 with breakfast. 
After showers, we walked to dinner. 
It was very good and only around $17.
Then we walked to the beach on The Gulf of Riga.
There were lots of people enjoying the beach. 
We walked back through a park.  I'm not sure the significance of the elephants... 
I got a laugh out of this sign and, of course, posted it in Facebook for Roni! 
Thanks, Google Translate! 
More sights on the way back. 
Then we saw the Parnu Transformation Cathedral Church.
Tomorrow, we leave Estonia... seems like we just got here. 

Fern Grotto

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 We got on the Fern Grotto boat tour around 930am. It went up the Wailua River. This is the only comm...