After such a wonderful trip cycling through Slovakia and Hungary last year with Bob Simonds, I wanted to return to the area for more. Alas, this year, Bob was not able to manage a repeat performance. I was very anxious to try out my Lightning Voyager (recumbent). One evening, while Becky and I were having dinner with Jim Porter and Kay Kamas, Kay mentioned that her son Daniel was wanting to visit the Czech Republic during the summer of 2001. Daniel's paternal grandparents were native Czechs that immigrated to Texas and Daniel's father spoke only Czech until he was about 7. Daniel was interested in seeing some of his heritage. I suggested to Kay that if Daniel were up to cycling, I would love to have some company. I e-mailed Daniel, and he took me up on the offer. Here is my version of the trip. Some Photos are included with my Journal (below) However, if you are just interested in the photos, you can click to go to the Czech Trip in the Photo Gallery.

The highlight of the trip was the Moravian family that we met. The son Daniel met us at our pension in Prague and drove us to Tabor to get a headstart biking from a place that was well out of the city. Later we were hosted for three days in Moravia by the Matula family. And finally, we were provided the greatest service by the daughter Nada who drove Daniel and I all over the region and finally back to Prague where we retrieved our bikes and returned home. Just after Christmas, I received this photo of the Matulas, Olin and his wife (also) Nada. They are modeling a little gift that I sent in gratitude for their kindness.

While Daniel Kamas and I were biking and siteseeing in the Czech Republic, Daniel Matula was Hiking in Romania and the Ukraine. Daniel sent some photos of his summer trek and I have provided a link here.