Photo: Ralph and Trikala kids
Apr 15, 1979 I got an early start, leaving at 7:15 AM. Early on I had to bike up a 10% grade, which was slow and difficult to keep going. Once to the top, I made a scenic descent into a long valley followed by another scenic descent. North Greek farmers had tractors, modern equipment, and seemed better off than southern farmers.
In Karditsa had a few drinks with the bar owner. In Trikala a group of kids were very interested in my bike. After 80 miles I reached Meteora and found a very nice campground. The flat plain I crossed on the way to Meteora gave way to steep pinnacles of rock where monasteries were built hundreds of years ago and are occupied today.
Photo: Trikala Church
Apr 14, 1979 For most of the 90 miles to Lamia the road was mostly flat, but about 20 miles from the town it led uphill. Near the top of the mountain 2 German tourists stopped me and asked where the monument to the Spartans was. Unfortunately I did not know. The rest of the way was downhill and then flat.
In Lamia some Greek kids recommended a hotel nearby, but at $6 I thought it was too high. So I rode another 5 miles to the mountains above Lamia. I camped out in some shrubs which was also a grazing area for goats.
Photo: Monks entered monastery by nets or baskets
Apr 16, 1979 Although the morning was a little hazy, I hiked to the Meteora monasteries. They were built atop the rocks to protect the monks from their enemies. At the first monastery I was not allowed in as my hair was too long. Woman with slacks also were not allowed in. Some Americans (working in Greece) gave me a ride to the other monasteries that were open that day. I had no problem getting in and found them interesting, well kept, and catered to tourists. Most tourists were Germans traveling in modern buses.
Photo: Postcard of Meteroa
Map of Greece & Yugoslavia
