Day 5, kilometer 290.
Alternately, German food is the wurst, but in fact, no, its actually quite tasty. Wednesday was our first day off after our first three days on the road. We got to visit the lovely town of Düsseldorf and enjoy some of the pleasures of sedentary life including cotton, rollercoasters, and lebanese cuisine. Oh, and of course, we had to try the famous german wurst which did NOT live up to its name. Quite good, it was.
And yes following the wurst came the rollercoaster at the seasonal themepark across the river (not followed by the wurst again, luckily, though the rollercoaster did occur quite soon after our delightful degustation).
After the rollercoaster came the local pool on the only cloudy day we could find for kilometers, but it was indeed a good splash.
Today we were back on the road. Campsites were scarce along the stretch so we spent a good 7 hours today biking our first metric century ride! (that is, >100k) We finally found the campsite after an eventful ride filled with friendly germans, large nuclear plants, hairy cows, delays for cattle crossings, and a couple botched stops ending in an awkward tumble. We also found ourselves talking to horses and learning to appreciate the often present perfume of the cow chips that spotted the path. We spent quite a bit of time on round trip rides to the spot where we realized we were going the wrong way. Oh! And we came across the most amazing automatic square-ular wakeboard towline that most certainly eludes words.
The Rhine path flows through the glorious countrysides ruthlessly interruped by vast industrial wastelands which really make me understand the compromises that industrial societies make to afford the lifestyle that its people demand. These are places that one would usually have no reason to go, as people have no place there, but which are often necessary to provide the power, products or materials that we use daily. Its important to think about where our things come from, where they go, and at what cost. *steps off soapbox*. But seriously, check our "Cradle to Cradle" by William McDonough or google "the story of stuff".
Anyway, back to bikes. It has been quite the day here and tomorrow we enter Holland! One country down, six to go. I'm going to go out, buy a hat, and hold on to it. I suggest you do the same.
N
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Pictured at top...
Nate picking wild blackburries that are everywhere.
Cattle crossing.
Pretty scenery.
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thanks for your narrative..and view of things Nate! you're a fine writer too...you both have a way with words that make me feel like I'm right there!!! so many adventures...Hi to Lucy too!! no more tumbles..give your bodies a good rest..and welcome to Holland tomorrow! how exciting! we got a major thunderstorm last night...much needed rain! love you both..Mama
ReplyDeleteOk kids Keep the rubber side down, watch out for cow patties and hang on to your hats. I had to do the same as the wind here was really living up to it's name today. the story of stuff is a good and scary one. Fairy tales of the future. I wish I had some profound thoughts but teh only book I read these days is facebook. Roll on, adventure heros.
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