I’m a bit behind on my postings. We had a doozy of a day yesterday, which I’ll try to get to tonight. For now, here’s one from a couple days ago. Some of you might be pleased to hear that I’ve finally awakened to the fact that my pictures were at least 10 times as big as they should have been. My apologies to anyone who struggled to open them. I will compress from now on.
May 24th
Today is my 62nd birthday and I am filled with gratitude. I’m grateful to be here in Germany, cycling with Jeff, and for the lessons we’ve learned the last couple of years. I’m grateful for all the support we have gotten, and for those of you following this blog and cheering us along. I’m also grateful that Jeff washed my laundry today, a sweet birthday gift.
We’ve been winding our way along the Moselle for the last few days and finally reached the end – the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine Rivers. The Moselle was fun; beautiful scenery, impossibly charming towns, great wine, and a slow, relaxed pace. All in all, a blast.
Now on to the next adventure, which has been a few days in the planning. It’s a puzzle; we need to be in Essen in three weeks for Jeff’s chemo. If we head up the Rhine now, we’ll reach Essen too early. After days of looking at maps, train schedules and bike routes, we have a plan! We’ll take a train to Nuremberg, then ride 500 kilometers on the Regnitz and Main rivers back to the Rhine. If all goes well, we’ll make it to the Rhine with time to spare and perhaps sneak in a short tour of the Lahn river before reaching Essen. Tomorrow we brave the rail system with our beast of a bike.
To date, we’ve ridden 422 kilometers in ten consecutive days of riding. Not bad. We’re sore and ready for a rest day, but doing pretty well. Even our butts are hanging in. That, I attribute to our most beloved Brooks saddles.
Have I mentioned the German beds? We’ve never seen a double bed here. They’re all two single beds, pushed together, with a big crack in the middle. To top it off, they’re made up with two single down comforters … regardless of the season. 80 degrees? It’s down or nothing! Not much cuddling happening outside of the dead of winter. It’s no wonder Germany has one of the lowest birthrates in the world!
Intertwangled on a Bicycle 
Happy Birthday Young Lissa’ you’ll never catch up with me !
I’m enjoying a few days walking with old school friends, one of whom is over from Washington. We’re acting like we’re 12 again ! ( apart from the wine….)
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Happy Belated Birthday!! Laundry done and an Erdinger Hefeweizen…does not get any better than that! Love the photos. Always fun to see what is around the next bend in the path. We agree on the “push together” double beds and the one season fits all comforters. Sounds like you guys have the perfect plan…one that can and will be changed…definitely keeps it interesting that way. Look forward to the next update! Cheers!
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Happy birthday, Lissa! You look and sound great! Love your pictures and travelogue! Hi to Jeff and keep on truckin’…or maybe i should say bikin’! Always look forward to your posts. Cheers!
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I never did figure that down comforter out, either. First time I was in Germany when about 12 (my dad was an administrator in an exchange program and we were visiting all the students). I stayed in someone’s house and had to keep my legs outside the covers and was embarrassed when someone came in to wake me up. I guess they just sleep on top of them in the summer or something. Never asked.
Teena
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Want a great way to spend your birthday, and the best present from Jeff! I remember how tiresome it got to wash out close every night. Despite that , you are inspiring us to take another bike trip!
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Bon anniversaire! I so glad you are having a good time. I’ll think of you and raise my glass to your adventure filled with Chardonnay (don’t care much for z german stuff).. Happy bike trail.
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Happy Belated Birthday, Lissa. I can never get enough of impossibly cute European towns, so keep them coming. I love the individual down comforter thing. Not so much the push together twin beds. Love to you and Jeff!!
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Happy belated birthday Lissa and way to go Jeff, nice present. I am enjoying your travels and I’m sure that you will find some additional great places to explore.
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Happy Birthday Lissa, hope its a great year!
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Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I swear, I wasn’t fishing for them!
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Enjoying your blog, Bess!
Happy birthday — what a wonderful way to spend it.
GerryLynne
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Happy birthday friend!
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Lissa and Jeff,
Thanks for taking us with you on your wonderful trip via the blog. A belated happy 62nd. May you both share many more. We continue to look forward to future updates.
Jo-Ann and Charles
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