Through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany we made it to Rickenbach, Germany on Saturday afternoon. It was surreal for me to ride through those foreign countries. While most of the sights were open fields, mountain ranges, and roads, we did pass a beautiful castle in the distance and some French and Swiss homes that are unique and adorable like little doll houses. My mind kept thinking about how I had seen movies filmed in these countries and as a child how I had read story books about them. Swiss cheese, German chocolate cake, Belgian waffles, and French fries_ it is so much more than all that!
After being in the flat Netherlands for a month, it was strange to drive up a steep mountain into a place that looked similar to my home. Surrounded by mountains and gorgeous open fields brings me comfort. The village we are staying in is built on a hill. Any walk you take includes some cardio. The architecture in the buildings makes it difficult, for me, as a tourist, to not stop and take pictures.
So far, we have ventured off on a few hikes up in the mountain of Totenbuhl. There are patchy forests with tall trees and then vast open fields that are perfect for reenacting 'The Sound of Music' opening scene. The sky seems more blue here, the air fresher, and the grass greener. Pictures cannot even express the beauty found here.
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| The village below |
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| This beautiful tree was planted after the 30 years war. A 367 year old tree! |
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| German homes |
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| Beginning our hike, one of many hills! |
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