Fri-May 11, 2012
Money:
Euro: $1 USD = €0.75 or €1 = $1.33 USD
Gas/Fuel in Germany: €1.68/l or $2.24 USD/l or $8.28/gal! You stateside riders quit your whining about gas prices.
Since we’re in flower smelling mode vs IBA power ride mode we’re letting the weather control our direction. We’re doing 2-3 hour day rides out of Bamburg.
Point of interest
I forgot to mention that many European countries require a road fee called a “vignette” if you’re riding on the Autobahn. The “vignette” is inexpensive except if you’re are caught not having one. The Austrian “vignette” was ~€4.60. If caught without a “vignette” it’s €30-€40 fine! Vignette’s are sold at border gas stations and you stick the “vignette” on your windshield.
Austrian vignette - size is approx. 2"x2". €4.6 for a 10-day pass. It's gotta be on the front windshield clearly visible.
The weather in Bamburg Thu & Fri broke from wet to not so wet! Forecast was 20% rain. Last two days were great riding days!
Rothenburg – Germany’s best walled City
I’m neck deep into culture! Thu-May 10 we rode over to walled city of Rothenburg, Germany, 100 km (62 Miles) southwest of Bamberg. Rothenburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval walled city!
This is a Windbeutel. It's a giant cream puff with cream, strawberries, ice cream
Stairway access to the wall.
This wall goes around the entire medieval town.
The wall's walkway is a 2.4 kn (1.5 miles) circuit.
Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum -- 4 stories of crimes and punishment!
Shame masks.
Neck and arm restraints, shame masks
Drunkards and never-do-wells are publicly humiliated.
I found the “Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum” unique and fascinating! There are 4 stories of law and order through the centuries.
The Käthe Wohlfahrt store is a 365-day Christmas shop. Everything Christmas from high end gifts to millions of tree ornaments.
This shame mask is for ladies to talk too much! That's what the sign said.
This is a round softball size cookie called a Schneeball. The chocolate made quite a mess.
My best impersonation of the hero Nutcracker in front of Kathe Wohlfahrt store.
It's Christmas all year at the Kathe Wohlfahrt store.
We're taste testing apple strudel in each country.
Dean in front of the Rothenburg walled city gate.
Dean, great job as usual. how are you possibly surviving with out the tall blonde lady>
Gary, good to hear from you. Sorry to have missed you at Daytona in February.
Survival is a state of mind. Riding with Lisa is entertaining and fun and she does take care of many of the challenges that pop up. BUT, riding around in Europe is a tough job but someone has to do it.
Looks like you on a dessert tour.
Who has the best strudel so far?
I remember the ice caffes, scoop of vanilla ice cream in a cup of hot coffee. Yum!
Near the RADAR site I was stationed. Love Romantische Strasse!!
Looks like the European Dessert Tour! You get my 100% approval rating…
What happened to your diet?
You need to put on that Shame Mask if you ate that Windbeutel!!
Loved Rothenburg when I visited. We spent the night in one of the ancient B & Bs…I remember the Christmas store and walking the walls. What a great place!