Back on the Rhine

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We cruised into Koblenz yesterday around 10:30 am and parked our bikes at a Bett + Bike hotel near the train station. Then we scooted to the station to meet Gesa's train. She traveled all the way from Bayreuth to spend the afternoon with us. So great to catch up on news about each other's families, as well as mutual friends in Corvallis. 


Here's a picture from our time cycling with Gesa's family in the Netherlands in 2019:


We got Gesa back on her train around 7 pm (and due to delays and the crazy long journey, she didn't get home until 1:30 am!!). It was so generous of her to come all the way to Koblenz to see us!

After seven nights in a row of camping, sleeping in a hotel was a most welcome change. Ahhhh. Also the hotel breakfast was pretty spectacular -- brochen, cheese, meats, cucumber, sliced tomatoes, red pepper, hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, yogurt, cereal, etc. These Bett +Bike hotels know how to fortify their guests before a day of riding!

We checked out of the hotel, rode to the river, and turned right. Backwards -- upstream along the Rhine. Today and tomorrow are familiar scenery because we rode this route in 2019. It's really fun remembering castles and landmarks along the way.


Here's a photo we took in 2019:
And here are the kids in front of the same castle today:

We even saw the spinny play structure that was such a blast last time around. (We didn't stop to try it again -- too bad!) I can't find that picture right now, but here's one from the same campground (Boppard, I think) -- amazing ice cream!!


As we rode into Camping Sonnenstrand, we were struck by the number of sirens. I mean, the Rhine is noisy, but this was over the top. Multiple wee--ooo wee--ooo sirens as well as the air raid/natural disaster type. Luckily our campground receptionist let us know there was a fire somewhere nearby. All is quiet now, and we never smelled smoke, so fingers crossed everything is under control.

Tonight is our last night of camping. A woman from the Basque region of Spain (North Coast) pitched her tent right next to us. This is our last night, but it's her first night on a solo ride to the North Sea (Eurovelo Route 15). I am impressed by her courage and independence and hope she has a great trip!

We walked to Bacharach for a very delicious supper served by a frantic waiter who was clearly infuriated by his incompetent (stoned?) helper. Quite entertaining. 


Bacharach is as charming as we remembered.

-- Liv

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 19, 2025 at 1:40 PM

    I’m going to miss this trip when it’s over! ❤️ gma

    ReplyDelete

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