Saturday sightseeing - 7 June 2014

Today was a good day!!  Slept in for the first time and then we took off for the day.   Lots of sightseeing today!!

We went to Schweinfurt, the family home area (die Heimat), today and the surrounding area.   As we were driving on the autobahn  (FYI, my max this trip was 200 km/h.... Did I mention that earlier?), there had been an accident and as luck would have it, we were right by an exit.   To we took it and trusted the Navi to get us to Schweinfurt.  

We were routed past a small town, Zimmern, which happened to be across the river from the smallest town in Bavaria, Rothenfels.  It may be small but had a great panoramic view.   So we stopped at a campground and asked some old fellers if we could take a picture across the river.   They graciously said yes and even offered to take our picture.   I think I could live in Zimmern for a while.... Just looking at this view.  

It was a short stop but a chance to meet people.   The gent who took our picture got to talking, wondering where we were from, what we were doing, etc.  He had a brother who moved to the States but unfortunately died recently in LA.   And when people ask us where we are from, I always say Iowa.   And without missing a beat, they always say "Oh yes, Iowa, potatoes!"   People are the same everywhere!!

Once we got to Schweinfurt, Hilary wanted to go to a wool shop to get German wool.  So while she shopped, I walked to the town market place for pictures. 

This picture is Johanniskirche (St Johannis Church) in Schweinfurt, where my mom and dad were married in 1948. 

After finishing at the wool shop, we headed to a small wine village I drove past earlier in the week.   Obereisenheim is it's name and, while I had hoped to drive past on the bike, the trail had me taking the ferry across one town up. 

Right on the road, next to the river is Gasthaus Zum Schiff in Obereisenheim. It is a small hotel with a very nice patio overlooking the Main River, great for a drink and a bite to eat.   We did and the Käsespätze was great!!

Käsespätzel..... Think Mac and Cheese, just better!!

Our next stop turned into an interesting one.   We went to a winery in Obereisenheim to buy some wine from the "Family Winery". Weingut Krämer is a local vintner who, when my Uncle Hans and Aunt Bette passed away, ended up with their house and vineyards.   We sampled some of the wines and schnapps and were talking.   As we were speaking with the owner, I told him that Hans and Bette were my uncle and aunt.   He looked puzzled for a little bit until I told him my mother was born in Schweinfurt and my grandmother and Bette were sisters.  At that point he said "just a minute, wait here".  He came back in a few minutes with this picture of Hans and Bette to give to us.   They apparently had found it in the attic and were going to get rid of it.  What a lucky break!!

After the experiences of the day, we headed back to the airport to return the rental car.   Then back to the hotel to pack up.   It's been a great trip!!

Frankfurt to Mainz - 30 miles

Today is somewhat surreal.... Last night, on the Eve of the 70th anniversary of  

D-Day, German TV had "Saving Private Ryan" dubbed in German.   And today, the Frankfurter Allgemeine, the local paper had this picture and saying on the front page.....

Der längste Tag (The Longest Day)

Meaning no disrespect to those great heroes of Normandy, today was "Der letzte Tag" for me.   It was a simple and easy stretch out ride..... Just 30 miles to Mainz, where the Main joins the Rhine. 

I decided to not push it too much and leave after getting a good nights sleep.   Hilary and I went to eat at about 8 and, after a leisurely breakfast, I left about 9 or so.  

Leaving Frankfurt was hectic.... Still lots of people leaving for work on the bike trails.   Plus there were plenty of fitness riders too.   But while Frankfurt is a nice city....

It was nice to see it in my rear view mirror. 

The ride today was very peaceful, 

nothing too surprising

Just a nice ride......

Until I realized there were bikers, runners/walkers AND Horses on the trail.  

And until I rounded the bend a short way up the road and saw.....

 

Yes.... Tepees!   I had to laugh!  They even had a "Boot Hill" and a trading post there.   The sign says "Interest Group For American and Native American Culture".   Yup.... Surprised to see this!

The ride continued..... Nice and flat and I was able to push the speed a bit.   But the problem was that at least every kilometer, the road turned 90 degrees or we hit a short patch of sand or cobblestone or something that caused me to slow down.  And that happened the whole week.   But no complaints.... It was a gorgeous week!!

I rolled past the confluence of the Main and Rhine (or in German "zusammenfluss" or "River coming together") without any fanfare.   A nice quiet point for lunches, of which there were people there doing just that. 

As I rolled into Mainz, I was able to take a couple of pictures.  Nice town and very picturesque.  

Hilary met me at the end in the town just outside of Mainz.   We correctly figured that in Mainz might be too confusing.   So we met at Kostheim at the Gasthaus Zum Engel..... The end of the road for me. 

I packed things up getting ready for Hilary to show up and get me.   So when she arrived, we broke the bike down and got it in the van and headed out to return the bike to the shop in Frankfurt.   The only problem was that I forgot my GoreTex jacket that I had hung from the fence.    So we reversed our egress and went back to the Gasthaus.   Hilary was very reassuring but I was sure it would be gone since there had been a ton of bike traffic today.  

Well, I was wrong again!!!

We ended the day by going to a great Biergarten in Okriftel... Restaurant Zum Goldenen Anker.   Great place!!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!   Trip Advisor will get a very good recommendation on that place!!

It had an indoor location but also in the park across the street. 

Well, now it's the end of a full day.   We spent the end with me writing and Hilary knitting while watching Germany defeat Albania in a rout.  Tomorrow will be our last here and we'll go sightseeing and shopping for a few things.   

Tomorrow, I'll work on an After Action Report.... What worked well, what didn't, what to change, what was missing.   

But to close for today, for an old guy with broken down knees (see picture above), this was a great trip to train for RAGBRAI, to see some parts of Germany I've 

 never seen before, to reconnect with some family and spend time with my little girl!

More tomorrow!!

Miltenberg to Frankfurt - 60 miles

Well.... What a day!!  

We got up early and got a good breakfast at the hotel.  The owner wanted to make sure we got plenty of food.   I swear, she wanted to get us eggs today.... Maybe she had a lot to get rid of.   But I had my usual.... Hard roll, butter, salami and coffee!.... And Hilary had hers... Hard roll, Nutella and tea. 

I helped get all the bags loaded in the car and then went to head out for the day.   That was when disaster hit!  The tires were a bit low so I asked the owner if they had a bicycle pump.   I picked the hotels because they were part of the German Bicycling Association's "Bike  + Bett" program.   Close to the route, specials for riders and tool kits.   So... I asked for a bike pump.   Big mistake!  She gave me a bag full of old, looked like left over pumps.   Can you hear the Gremlins???  Well, I tried about 4 pumps, all without luck.  But the fifth was the nightmare.  The valve stem broke and I was out of luck!!

But the owner came to my rescue.   She told me of a good bike shop close by and that they were very reasonable.   She said "They don't have Dollar signs in their eyes".   So I walked there..... If you are ever in Miltenberg, Bayern, Germany, go to VS Bike!  Great staff, friendly and helpful and the price was reasonable.  

They are on my list now!!

So because of the tire issue, I got a two hour delayed start.  But at 1015 I headed out.   It was a good ride from Miltenberg to Aschaffenburg.  Some sights to see but really just a good road.  I pressed the ride to try to make up time.   But after 18 minutes I hit this....

And this.....

Again, another RAGBRAI similarity!!  But train crossing bars over here drop about 15 minutes before the train comes.  No exaggeration!   The last time I had this happen In Germany was 20 years ago and the lights were flashing.  I waited 10 min then figured there was a mechanical issue with the lights so I cautiously eased my way forward and looked both ways.  Nothing I could see.... So I went.   as I crossed and drove a kilometer, the train was coming.   And the engineer was blowing his horn and waving his fist at me.   So this time I wasn't taking a chance!

Now I was about an 2:30 behind.  With that much behind, I figured it was best to just enjoy the day.... So I did!  I just took my time and enjoyed the ride. 

I reached the town of Aschaffenburg and saw this castle.... Schloß Johannisburg.  Great view of the castle.  

And little did I know at the same time I was taking this picture, Hilary was touring the Schloß. 

Oh... By the way, for those of you who don't know, the ß (aka Eszett) in Schloß, and in every other German word, is really a double S.  So it is pronounced "Schloss" not "Schlob"..... Funny thing that most Americans don't grasp. 

As I was just getting ready to leave Aschaffenburg, there was a small Biergarten at the edge of town... So I stopped!  And a Radler and a pretzel later I was back on the road. 

But there were a couple of funny things there I'll share..... First the beer coaster.  How would you like to have your beer named this?

And then I saw a sign with a picture that could have been me 30 or so years ago.  

Roten Kopf = Red Head

From here I just had to get to Frankfurt.   Sadly, the beautiful scenery of the past 3 days or so was leaving, to be replaced by the factoryies and apartments around Frankfurt.  

But at least there was still some green space.   And there were also some spectacular houses along the way at times too, overlooking the river. 

Did I mention Iowa and RAGBRAI?   Well, I found my favorite this day!!  Many of you have heard of Beekman's, the homemade ice cream during RAGBRAI.  Here is Henss ice cream.... Not too bad!

 

They didn't have raspberry, so I got strawberry....

Can't wait for Beekman's!!

From here, I had 25 km to go.   Not much else to see except the city of Frankfurt rising in the distance.  

All in all, the day went well.  Tomorrow will be the end of the road for the Main Radweg.... When I ride to the point where the Main joins the Rhine.   Maybe I'll get to dip my tire in the river if I can find a place.   I'll let you know tomorrow!

Karlstadt to Miltenberg - 66 miles

Like I said, it was tough to get going this morning.   But at 730 , Hilary and I went for breakfast and shortly after I headed out for the ride.  

Rain was predicted for today and the last thing I would want to do (other than maybe take Salsa lessons) is get stuck 20 miles out in a downpour.   So I tried to push it as fast as I could.   

I got 40 miles in by noon and stopped for a break at a Biergarten ..... Are we catching a pattern here?  

I always said this trip was training for RAGBRAI and part of the RAGBRAI experience, at least on Team Navy, is beer drinking.   The problem is what I am drinking here is way better than the "blue beer" (Bud Light).   Note the beer is only half full. 

Scenery today was pretty spectacular too.... The first is one that is pretty special to me. 

 

Today was "Castle and Church" day. I found lots of good ones so I'll just share with you all....

And I've been saying, this ride reminds me more of RAGBRAI every day.  Here is an example....

Cows

Corn

And vendors on Main Street!!

It was a long bit enjoyable.   I couldn't figure out why I was so tired today.   This explained it.....

Sleep well!!!  I'm going to!!!