Karlsruhe 6/28

The Schloss in Karlsruhe, at the center of concentric ring roads. We hung out at a cafe in a student area for a while, before catching the view of the palace at sunset. Not shown in the 1st pic, but highlighted in the second, is that the building is undergoing renovations. However, they brought some personality to the fabric surrounding the scaffolding. We had to get close to be sure this wasn't painted on the building itself. Random Platz in Karlsruhe, showing off street cars and bikes and architecture. Karlsruhe had tons of bike infrastructure. We rode along a number of small highways where the on and off ramps are clearly marked with signs and pavement paint to yield for bikes, and the drivers did. We watched Germany lose 1-2 to Italy in the Euro cup at this cafe serving drinks only. We brought in a picnic dinner and drank beer from the cafe. The small TV was fine, but anyone doing this in the US would have had a giant screen- funny that it wasn't necessary even with maybe 40 people watching.

Karlsruhe to Strasbourg 6/29

68.25 miles today, very flat but very hot and humid. Today i feel like I bad more energy riding than my dad. It's funny since the opposite was true the day before, and we're riding the same routes. We crossed into France by taking a tiny, free municipal ferry to Seltz. This France sign marks the most substantial border crossing I have had since Iceland. There was nothing there but the sign. We rode through some Monet streams and Van Gogh fields, this one full of sunflowers. Tree-lined path just a couple of miles from Strasbourg. We were too tired after cooling down and setting up camp and eating dinner to trek downtown, so Strasbourg pictures later.

Höfen to Karlsruhe 6/28

Today was a tough day of riding for me. I don't know if it was heat or my stomach bothering me or if I was tired from yesterday's hills or what, but the wheels weren't turning easily. We rode 53 km, according to Dad, since my computer faded mid day. It felt like more, and was the first day of this trip I wished I wasn't riding. Still, we saw some cool towns along the way. Pictures are: Neuenbërg skyline. Breakfast pastry and ice cream coffee float in Neuenbërg. Platz in Ettinger where we hung out in the shade, dodging some of the heat and eating lunch. Weisswurst with pretzel, bratwurst with mashed potatoes, and schwarzbier and Franziskaner hefeweizen.

Photos 6/26-27 Schiltach to Höfen- part 2

Riding over the top of a hill in the Black Forest. Unfortunately we took the wrong road down, and had to climb all the way back up 200 meters. Dinner in Bad Wiltbad- roast beef with onions, pork chops in a mushroom sauce, knödel, spätzel, and salads, plus beers. There was grass growing in the middle of our table (intentionally). Watching Spain vs. Portugal in the Weltmeister (Euro Cup) with other campers at our campsite in Höfen. We drank hefeweizen during the game, poured properly and into the correct glassware even at the campsite kiosk bar.

Photos 6/26-27 Schiltach to Höfen- part 1

Beer with dinner in Schiltach. Cool wrought metal signs for businesses are common- this swan bar was in Alpirsbach, where they brew the beer we drank the night before. The name of the town supposedly comes from a monk and brewer who was fond of his product, and one day, drunkenly spilling his beer in the stream, exclaimed 'alle bier ist in der bach'. Pretzel with seeds and strawberry jelly cake from a bakery in Alpirsbach. Riding through a not-so-dark segment of the Black Forest.

Black Forest: Offenburg to Schiltach 6/26

74 km today. Bike tube vending machine, in case you get a flat while the bike store is closed. Marktplatz in Offenburg- there was an open-air farmers market thing when we were there in the morning. Castle on a hill in Ohlsbach, surrounded by orchards and vineyards. We bought some cherries from a farm stand nearby, but have not yet tried them as we've been waiting for a source of water to wash them. A shot of the edge of the Black Forest woods. The trees are suddenly very tall and thick, with not much new growth around the edges. I'll try to get a better picture soon, but I bet it really is dark and creepy in there. Campsite in Schiltach.

Dinner in Offenburg 6/25

Germany is reasonably priced. Falafel plate, giant doner sandwich, bread, and beer all ran $15. The beer was only $2, and tasty.