wiltznucs

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id you go anywhere in the Baltics besides the Capitol cities?

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My last trip was in the summer of 24’. Starting in Helsinki for 3 days. Which is one day too many. It’s a bit dull after 2 days and depending on when you arrive the weather can be brutal.

Then take the ferry to Tallinn. Two or three days there tops. You can do more. Hit the old town. See the new city. Visit the old KGB Hotel. You can eat very well there cheaply. Then take a bus to Riga for 3 more days.

Day trips to Vilnius are available from either Tallinn or Riga. In addition, the Hill of Crosses is a quick detour and the Rundale Palace is definitely worth a visit.

Riga is the star of the show. Art Nouveau architecture. Black Balsam cocktails. Stay in an old Soviet hotel like the Bellevue. The entire area isn’t on the EuroRail. Only accessible by plane or ferry. It’s one of the few unspoiled areas of Europe still left. Michelin rated restaurants like Shoyu and Milda.

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Does anyone have any thoughts on driving the Baltic Countries in summer with the family?

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I’ve done the Baltics twice. Cannot wait to do them again. Can’t speak to driving them: but, they are fantastic. Riga is one my favorite cities on the planet. Warm and inviting people with a fascinating history. The architecture alone is worth the visit. I’ve spent more time in Latvia and Estonia than I have Lithuania. My next trip will be focused on Lithuania. Tallinn in Estonia is exceptional. The historic medieval city is beautifully preserved; and don’t sleep on the food scene. Restaurant Harg fricking slaps. Don’t be afraid to take in Helsinki while you are at it. The Ferry runs several times daily. It’s a quick and easy 2 hour trip that costs next to nothing.

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Awesome! How was it?

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I’m gonna let it sit on the counter for a day or two and see if the edges turn brown. I’ve always been told that’s when they are at peak ripeness/sweetness.

Fruit I didn’t know I had. This little Bell Carambola tree arrived only a few months ago. It sits among some yellow croton plants and it’s grown a fruit without me even noticing. I was doing some fertilizing and pruning shrubs and low and behold there it was.

Great team effort. The work rate out of Semenyo, Enzo, Anderson and Ndiaye was great. Josko and Guehi played well too. Gritty win…

Fun little trip from Portland. If in Portland; be sure to hit Duckfat, Pai Men Miyake and/or High Roller for a meal.

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We did it as a family with 3 teenagers. It was cool, but the poverty and mass of humanity were overwhelming

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We’ve done our best to show of our kids as much of the world as we can. Different landscapes, different cultures, etc. Sometimes that means giving them a glimpse of the harsh realities that an area may face. India feels like one of those opportunities. Seeing the Taj Mahal and other landmarks is enticing. I also don’t want to go in knowing that the time, effort and resources spent will ultimately end up being for a negative experience.

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How about now?

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Seeing them now…

Seedling avocados are a gamble. Odds are it’s a store bought avocado variety like Hass. The seed will exhibit traits from both the parent (Hass) and the pollinator. Hass generally does poorly with freezes and its roots have issues in areas with fusarium wilt which is basically the entire southeast. What’s more; it may take 6 to 10 years to produce fruit and what you get may or may not be very appealing. It’s possible that you may have a revolutionary avocado on your hands. It’s also far more likely that you are wasting your time.

If truly interested in having quality avocado at home look at some of the Mexicola and other extremely cold tolerant varieties from a reputable nursery. Varieties like “Fantastic”, “Joey” or “Del Rio”…

MO - You’re welcome…