Through the mountain

A day of logistical triumphs and naps. This was the day we were to meet our special van shuttle through the mountain where only the Autobahn goes and no bicycles are allowed. As the entire transaction was done in German over the telephone, there was some question as to whether or not we were in right place or the right time or anything else. We knew what the map thought it would take us to get to where the van might be, and we added a half an hour and everything worked out just fine. We got to ride in the wrong direction a few times, then once we got on the right collection of bike paths, it was beautiful clear sailing through some delightful Alpine villages. It all looks quite a bit like a ski resort.

We arrived with 20 minutes to spare for the van, and after a bit, a German couple arrived as well for the same thing, so that gave us hope. A few minutes later, the van and trailer arrived and after stripping the bikes of all our gear (because as the driver noted we were going to be on the Autobahn), off we went.

The tunnel was not quite 10 km but when we came out the other side of the mountain we were in another idyllic Alpine valley. Because of the way the campgrounds lay out for us, there is nothing for quite a ways after this, so we only went another 8 Miles downhill to a simple Campground in a quiet Village. As it is a Sunday, almost nothing is open. We found one restaurant and one gelato place but nothing else. We had prepared with our shopping the night before for a no market day, but decided that perhaps a lunch at the restaurant might be in order.

As we knew that our supper was rice and beans, we thought perhaps something with a little more flavor might be appropriate. As the days heat was building and our tummies were too full for gelato yet, we had no recourse but to find shade and suffer through some early afternoon napping.

After our vigorous naps, as the shade had all departed, we were forced to head down to the impossibly clear river and spend some time in some delightfully cool water.

Fearing that we had not been fair to the village's other open establishment, we dutifully trekked up to support the gelato place next.

Now the temperature is falling nicely, we are considering preparing supper, and are mentally preparing for tomorrow. Day four has been on the horizon for weeks now since we've seen it in the planning stages. It begins with a 10 mile climb,followed by what we hope is an unbroken descent. With the heat,  we know that we need to get a good start in the morning and we will hope for the best.