Müden to Koblenz

July 12, 2024

A picture of last night's hotel, taken as we were leaving. Adequate, but we'd probably select a different hotel next time.

It rained while we were eating, but stopped while we were packing. The weather remained pleasant all day... 65-70F/15.5-21.1C degrees.

Heather used my sandals, wrapped in a plastic bag, as a mud guard. She didn't need to because it didn't rain again, and the puddles all disappeared.

An hour after we left the hotel you couldn't tell it had rained.

Another castle along the way. I'm still at the point where I get excited at seeing castles. Or maybe it's just someone's house.

Heather was wondering if they're built into the wall because an arch is stronger than no arch.

The autobahn, massive, above us. We had a 15-18 mph tailwind today.

Riding through Koblenz. This is actually a bike path.

Our room was large, especially for European standards.

We got to the hotel earlier than any other day previously (1:15), and by the time we got unpacked we had just enough time to get to a restaurant before 2:00, which is when many of them close.

Brews & Bowls had fantastic food and amazing homemade lemonade. It was also a one-minute walk from our hotel.

After lunch we went exploring the city of Koblenz, which is where the Mosel river meets the Rhine river. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I realized that this sign doesn't say Belch Stage.

The giant thumb sculpture. I wonder if it's someone's actual fingerprint.

Stickers on walls and poles always interest me.

At the German Corner, where the two rivers meet, there's a statue of Kaiser Wilhelm the First. Looking at it in person, it's much larger than I realized.

From there, we took a cable car to Fortress Ehrenbreitstein.

The restroom costs money unless you're very short. Or a limbo dancer.

Around 2000 years ago the Romans developed this for shooting large arrows.

The castle wall. I love looking at this picture... whole worlds within a hand's breadth.

Back in Koblenz we explored the town while deciding where we wanted to eat dinner.

This steam punk water fountain is called The Mechanical Ark.

We ended up eating at the Cofone Wine Bar, which had good food, but when I tried to pay with my card their handheld touchless pay device didn't accept it. When I tried with a different card it didn't take it either, at which point I received a look from the manager like I was someone trying to skip out on paying for our meal.

We paid with cash then immediately went to get some gelato, where our card was accepted without any problem.

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Today's ride: 22 miles (35 km)
Total: 172 miles (277 km)

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Suzanne GibsonI did a little research on the function of the arches. First I asked my husband, he's a civil engineer and he should know I thought. But he was just as puzzled. So I googled and came up with a lengthy and very technical treatise by someone who was also looking for an answer. In the end he concludes it remains a mystery!
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:c1e8cab5-f519-4773-8926-ce6e741c3652
It's in German of course, but if you have the time and inclination,that is what Google translator is for.
The difference between limonade and lemonade was easier to answer.
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2 months ago

Mark BinghamTo Suzanne GibsonThe article says, "In any case, the knowledge of the necessity or function of the arches has been lost over the centuries, because today's explanations are not sufficient to make their existence fully understandable. It will therefore perhaps remain a mystery forever...."

I kind of like the fact that there are things that are beautiful and unknowable. I appreciate the research, and give my thanks to Janos as well.
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2 months ago

Rich FrasierBeautiful and unknowable things apparently include the reasons why your credit cards weren't accepted. This has happened to us occasionally, too. In several countries. Like you, we were able to use the card immediately afterwards in a different machine.

If there are any bored German scientists around, maybe we can get a learned treatise published on this mystery. :)
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2 months ago

Mark BinghamTo Rich FrasierUnknowable, definitely. Embarrassing, definitely. Beautiful.... ehhhh, I'm not so sure. :-)

Suzanne has been very helpful in researching things for me. Maybe I should ask her!
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2 months ago