It’s our second visit to Nördlingen, the first was six years ago on our broken collarbone trip (me, 3 days into a 3 week trip), on that trip we were taking trains and had left our bikes in München. This time we biked to this walled town which is situated in a much larger crater left by a meteorite millions of years ago. The wall is a huge draw for us. It’s a very unique and cozy attraction. We spent two nights here this time.
The wall walk combines some of my favorite things, car free walks, garden peeping, and house peeping.Really a unique experience to walk the intact wall. One spot had repairs being done, but the rest was walkable.There are houses whose back walls are the town wall, or which are built through the wall.Ah, the glamorous side of bike touring. Resting in the shade of a town WC. It was a long hot day riding to Nördlingen.
Between the wall and its history, and a local train museum, we had plenty to do on our rest day.
We saw this museum across the train platform the last time we were here but didn’t have time to check it out.Rich added for scale, Rich is six foot five. That is a huge piece of machinery. So many historic train locomotives and cars are just sitting on the rails, reminding us of the history of train travel. And the human capacity for innovation.Some are simply falling into decay.But many are lovingly housed and maintained. This is the roundhouse.Yes there was wine, my first Silvaner of the trip. And our first brats. This little place was set up during the Saturday market and had a line when we saw it, we quickly got in line. About 2 minutes after we got our lunch they sold out and closed up.
So where have you likely seen this charming town? In the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971, the Wonkavator flies above the town in the final scene as it crashes out of the factory roof – remember?
If you saw the movie you likely remember a shot like this from the glass elevator.
Ready for cat pics? Germany has been a cat bonanza. Usually I confine my cat posts to Instagram, but the last two days cycling in Germany have been so cat rich I can’t resist sharing.
This cat in old town Memmingen was very fond of Rich.This farm cat in Kißlegg was very interested in a cuddle.
First we had a six cat day, which we considered a lot, and then today we had a fifteen cat day while riding almost 70k to Landsberg am Lech.
Calico cat warming up in the sun.This cat was enjoying the last rays of sun outside old town Wangen im Allgäu. Up for pets? Yes.
Many of the cats spotted were in fields hunting or sleeping, not close enough for decent photos or interaction.
“There’s one.” I think this was #12.
It makes the miles/kilometers pass. Happy pedaling.
Rich enjoying a sun break on a shaded decent down the Rhine Valley
This morning we’re waiting for a train to Austria, then we ride into Germany along the Bodensee, also known as Lake Constance.
We really enjoyed our time in Switzerland. We even got our vaccine QR codes (Rich will write more on this.).
Cowbells! Not just for tracking cows and delighting tourists.These Valais sheep! The start of the Rhine River.Many trips to the Coop market to get picnic lunch supplies. we have a one sit down meal a day rule. It’s easier and faster for us to picnic for lunch and then relaxing to go out for dinner.All the beautiful Swiss Brown cows. And the yummy cheese they help produce.Met some other cycle tourists. These 2 great guys were headed up a pass we were riding down.So for now, farewell Switzerland ❤️Fun bike graffiti in Chur.But before getting on the train I spent some of our change in the vending machine. Masks and chocolate, what else in these times?
Less Car, More Life 