Third time’s a charm - or so I’m hoping.

My plan to bike across the Alps took hold in 2018 when I first read about Via Claudia Augustus, the ancient Roman Way from the Danube to the Mediterranean Sea. It is purported to be one of the easier crossings, something that appealed to one who spent most of her time cycling the rail trails and county roads of central Iowa. I planned a grand tour for the fall of 2019, heading south from Donauworth on the VCA towards Venice then east and north through Slovenia, Vienna and Prague. Alas, I was foiled by a virus - a case of Shingles due to the re-emergence of Herpes Zooster. Plan B was put in place - a seat of my pants tour of southwest France that proved to be utterly delightful. 

Returning to Iowa in late fall of 2019, I started plotting a route for my 2020 European bike adventure, one that crossed the Alps along VCA and ended in Slovenia.  Then.....we know what upended all travel plans for 2020. 

The beginning of 2021 brought exciting news as to the efficacy of the new Covid vaccines, with protection rates far greater than I'd imagined possible. In January, I optimistically booked a two month trip to Europe departing in early September. The twice-delayed Alps adventure evolved into the last leg of my 70th birthday touring extravaganza. The plan is a 4-5 week loop ride between Munich and Bologna, traveling through Germany, Austria and Italy. I fiddled with various routes across the  Alps, booked accommodations for the first two weeks, and monitored the spread of the Delta variant with alarm, trepidation, and increasing anger at the hordes of unvaccinated driving the Delta surge in the US.  

I'm scheduled to depart for Paris on Sept 5, in two days. On Aug 18 I sent in my application for a French vaccine passport, the Passe Sanitaire, which is recognized by all EU countries. I received word this morning that they are swamped and my application will not be processed. Perhaps the online application I submitted Wednesday will fare better- but I'm not too hopeful. On Monday the EU recommended new travel restrictions for US visitors to Europe. Restrictions/requirements vary by country, with some countries such as Italy tightening restrictions even for vaccinated travelers. It all will be very complicated- but I am vaccinated, my bags are packed, and I will persevere.

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