It is the Monday of our last week in Germany. I am trying hard not to be sad. It was not easy to make this trip happen. We encountered many set backs and disappointments. We planned and prepared. We cancelled, and started over. The reality that our time here is coming to an end has hit me hard today. I remind myself that lots of people, most people, are fortunate if they are able to spend even one week in a foreign country. I tell myself to get over myself, and to get on with the great adventure that is today!
Ron and I have accepted that every ride could potentially be the last ride. The weather could turn on us. The bikes could turn on us. The bikes could turn over and one of us could be seriously injured. The list of 'what ifs' is almost as long as the list of 'why nots'! So why not take another ride?!
Where to go. I did not pay much attention to Neudietendorf when we first biked through it. In fact, I had forgotten all about it until weeks later, when we were in Herrnhut, near the Czech border. I was reading about the history of the Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (called Moravians in the US) and I learned that in addition to Herrnhut, the refugees established five other settlements in Thüringia. The coffee-table book I was leafing through in the lobby of the Komensky Guesthouse had pictures, and I recognized one of the towns. Yes, I was sure we had been there. I scrolled through the photos on my phone, and sure enough there was Neudietendorf. We had biked through it on one of the earlier, very long rides, the Drei Gleichen castle ride from Gotha to Erfurt. The little town of Neudietendorf was about ten miles from Erfurt, and we had stopped briefly to rest. Seeing the photos, I recalled wanting to explore but not having the energy. But today was not that day. Ten miles to Neudietendorf and back was a perfect ride to start our final week!
Heading south out of Erfurt to join the Gera Radweg meant that we had to get to the other side of the main train station. The race with the trolley cars was on! Today, the victory went to the crazy Americans! And then we were out of town, and pedaling through little towns and villages adorned in beautiful fall colors.
Soon we were in Neudietendorf. Like Herrnhut, not much has changed here over the centuries.
The prettiest sight in town was God's Acre. The leaves were so thick on the ground that I didn't even realize we were in a graveyard at first! Here, the gravestones are dark, not white as they are in Old Salem back home. But otherwise, it was the same familiar comforting place of rest and hope.
The day's are shorter now. It was time to head home. One last photo - Auf Wiedersehen, Neudietendorf!
Bike Talk
Radweg #13 Erfurt to Nuedietendorf and back
Miles: 21.56
Kilometers: 34.7
Average Speed: 8.0 mph
Top Speed: 18.5 mph
Riding time: 2 hours, 41 minutes
Linda, it has been a pleasure reading your blog. Germany came to life through your writing. I truly enjoyed the history lessons, the great photos and Ron's Englishizing the German language lol. He is a hoot and a holler. I can't believe it is coming to an end. Thank you for sharing and I am looking forward to the your next adventure. Liz G.