Arrived in the charming village of Wijk bij Duurstede (I haven't even tried to pronounce it) this evening. My hotel is right on the main square with lots of shops and restaurants with outdoor seating. The place is as friendly as can be. It even has an attraction found nowhere else in the world.
I was slow getting here partially because of strong headwinds. Today, and tomorrow, are supposed to have 15mph winds with gusts up to 35mph. Riding into that is like riding up the Swiss Alps. It hits you especially hard when you're riding on top of the dike. And when a wind gust hits you from the side, it feels like it could almost knock you over.
Tomorrow I'm going to have to make better time than today. My host wants me to register by 5pm and the ride will be a little further than today. But I had significant non-riding time today.
(Breaking news! I heard back from them and getting there later than five is going to be okay.)
Leaving Arnhem amid nice rows of trees.
Archway depicts paratroopers.
The monument the citizens built to honor the trooppers valiant efforts to liberate them.
On the monument is a depiction of the women that helped the wounded paratroopers.
Inside the museum is a collection of artillery and other the implements that were used by the Germans and the allies during the battle.
Here's what a paratrooper looked like before he jumped out of the airplane. That's a lot of stuff.
In the basement, they had a walk through exhibit, complete with sounds of bombs, artillery, planes and rifle fire to give you an idea of what it was like when the allies tried to take the bridge. Those are parachutes in the background.
On the lighter note, here's another free little library. I really like these.I'm thinking about maybe making one for home.
This is the cathedral in Rhenen. These cathedrals are so tall that you can glimpse them from miles away.
This looks like the Chaste tree we have at home.
These are huge flood control devices on the Rhine.
I had to search on the internet to find how they work. When flooding starts to peak, these weirs will open up to let the surge pass through quickly. They are massive.
Susan calls these Oreo cows. I think the brown makes them look more like a Klondike ice cream sandwich.
Here's the cathedral in Wijk bij Duurstede. All the brick work looks new.
And here's the one thing you won't find anywhere else in the world! A drive thru windmill! See my bike under it?
One last thing. To get to my room you have to ascend the stairs of death.
Threy are so steep and narrow that they remind me of the stairs to my bedroom on the farm. I tumbled down them several times.
I will try not to repeat that.
Only 3 more days of riding the route!
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