Weil der Statt, Germany and west - Writing

July 25 - August 10 or so
Leaving Weil der Statt, we had no idea where we were heading other than simply east. Maybe Munich to see some friends? We opted to just ride with no destination in mind and let the wind guide us. It has worked for the past 4 months, so why not now as wel?. 4 hours into our day of pedaling, we heard a couple come up on bikes speaking English. Fantastic! Before we knew it, we were all talking away and riding together. They were from California and Minnesota but were living in Germany for the past 4 years as he was in the army. He and Ryan talked about our trip and once again, having no plan or agenda has worked in our favor. They suggested we head to the southern middle part of Germany, into a valley with unused bike paths and castles on both sides built over 1000 years ago.
Following little bike signs, no real map, we rode through trails with enormous trees blocking the path, along a river, down valley, surrounded by nature and barely a sole within miles. The towns we rode through had anywhere from 20-500 people it seemed. Occasionally we would see a young boy or girl sitting on a stoop scraping the dirt with a long stick, humming and just passing the time. A scene not often witnessed as so many are consumed with technology and constantly on the go. These towns reminded me of what the early 1900's would have been like for our grandparents, quant and simply.
Always hungry and dark clouds moving in on us, we stopped at the only restaurant in a town of 100 for doner kebabs. We have found a new love for these delicious, cheap sandwiches! A woman was sitting behind the counter doing a puzzle as we walked in, looked up with a big grin and started speaking German. No luck, she didn't speak English. Ordering with hand gestures, we took a seat at one of two tables right as the rain started. Perfect timing as I hate geting wet as most of you know, but I am learning that I do not melt because of it:-) She picks up the phone and starts talking and laughing in Syrian and within a few minutes her 14 year old son walks through the door. 5 minutes later her other 2 boys and the guy who runs the school walks in. She was so excited to introduce her children to Americans, she had them come down to meet us. It's amazing how kind people can be and the littlest things that get a huge smile to cross their faces. The man who came with them spoke great English and asked us all about our trip. It was almost 6 and we had no idea where we would lay our heads at night. He recommended we ride another 15k up to one of the castles that is similar to a hostel. You can actually sleep in the castle!
This castle is mostly intended for backpackers, but of course they were happy to accommodate us. Luckily there was one room left as a group of 30 16-18 year olds and two teachers were staying the night for their end of the year school trip. Once they heard we spoke English, they raced up the tower steps where we were enjoying a delicious German beer, and they all started talking at once. I think it's interesting for peoploe to have conversatios with others who are fluent in another language. Europeans are taught English from kindergarden, which is quite amazing and I can't grasp why we don't do something similar in the states. We are so culturally closed within our own country and aren't taught about the rest of the world often enough, it's actually pretty sad. So for you teacehr and parents out there, expose your kids to other languages and cultures please!
They invited us to dinner for sausages and potatoe salad, followed by a bonfire where they toasted fresh dough on sticks like we do with marshmellows. The rain forced us in early where we drank tea and just relaxed to music on the stereo and a girl playing the guitar and singing, soaking up this great group of German teenagers. They were so well behaved, always helping with the cooking and cleaning, etc. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think the teachers lifted a finger. I didn't hear one complaint while we were there. Maybe I should teach in Germany?! We had a great night, something that we will always be embedded in our memories as a unique and fortunate experience.
Making our way down the valley until it reached the Danube River, called the Danau in Germany, we rode through Ulm. This is a city with the tallest gothic spire sitting in the middle of the town square, benches all around and absolutely beautiful. Only staying for a quick break for some fruit and pictures, we had another 30k to ride before the sun was completely set. It does get a touch scary riding once it starts to get dark as we never know if cars can see us. Our bikes and bags are covered with reflectives and we have a rear light that we turn on, but it's still unsettling. So far, so good.