Ate a nice breakfast again. Never eat breakfast at home. Walked to park-fed ducks. Luggage pick up guy came at 11:30 to take us to HOTEL HAMMER in MAINZ. Charged us 30E even though he was taking our luggage there anyway. Another man on tour from New Zealand was sick and rode also. Tour charged him 100 E to come get his bike. So glad we took our bikes back to Frankfurt and are finished with this tour and company. Nice hotel with air-conditioning. Took walk down to old Town. Looks like they are setting up for huge festival this weekend. Go to grocery store and buy salads for dinner. I work on my blog-Armand reads his book and goes to sleep early.

Went to bike shop and turned bikes in. Told them how upsetting tour had been. Not accurate description of tour and GPS not easy to follow. Cedric walked us to underground train station where we took train to main station. Took train to Mainz (town we are staying in tomorrow) theater and changed trains to WORMS. Took taxi to HOTEL SANDWIESE-luggage was waiting for us. Hotel feels like we are in the country. Have large room with window overlooking restaurante-no air-conditioning, noisy fan. Did I mention that NO windows ever have screens-all are wide open, hoping for a breeze. Flys don’t seem to like it here and are not a problem-which is strange considering all the food and restaurants lining the streets. We go for a walk to a huge almost vacant beautiful park with an abandoned castle and ducks. Enjoy our 1st German meal at the hotel restaurant. Feel much better that we did not have to ride our bikes here.

I don’t know how they do it but EVERY BATHROOM IS SPOTLESS- no mold anywhere.. Every room we have stayed in on now our 5th European tour has also been spotless. I’m going to have to talk to Armand about his shower.

Off the boat-back to Hotel Ritter to get our bikes but 1st we have lunch at Subway again. Now asking directions to train station. By the time we got there, last train to RHODT had left. Now buy tickets to WORMS-TOMORROW’S destination! Oh no- fire on tracks in Mannheim-all trains canceled today can’t make it to Mainz either. Meet nice lady who helps us. Now exchange tickets back to Frankfurt. Lady tells us platform has been changed. Now trying to take bikes on escalator-almost fall backwards. Another change-now trying to carry bikes up the stairs- very heavy bike-Armand has to come back to help me. Finally on train to Frankfurt with our bikes. Arrive in FRANKFURT around 9pm. Hotel desk closes at 9:45. Start biking- but not sure where. Not going any further until we ask for help. Unbelievable-Armand asks a BIKE ANGEL who says he will take us to hotel-Armand almost falls off bike again-leg is bleeding. Angel doesn’t accept any money. Arrive at front door of Hotel Maingau at 9:40. Toothpaste isn’t really that important-ask for extra towel for blood & & bandages. I play nurse and tape his leg. Having a bed to sleep in is very important. How do homeless people survive on the streets? HAPPY FATHER’S DAY ARMAND!!!!! Our phones were dead so he did not get messages from TERA, JENNIFER & JOHN hoping he had a great father’s day.

It’s 10:30 pm & we are back in FRANKFURT at the Maingau Hotel where we started our tour on Friday. We have no luggage or toothpaste or phone charger-only clothes we are wearing and backpack. At least we have Sparky & Arthur & a bed to sleep in. I’m ready to quit biking forever!

The day started off with a good breakfast & a steep hike up to the castle-didn’t realize there was a lift. I’m into construction & unbelievable how they managed to build a castle up on a mountain. Views were worth the hike.

Back down the hill to the river for a 3 hour boat ride. Met a nice couple from Virginia Beach. She had been born in Heidelberg during the 80’s when her dad was stationed here. My dad was also stationed here & my sister Martha graduated from high school here. I did not go with them-stayed in San Antonio to go to college. I did go over to Heidelberg after my 1st year in college and taught swimming 🏊. Also met 3 women from Oregon-1 was a teacher who graduated from UT & her ex-husband had been stationed in Heidelberg-small world.

The only drama on board was when a man fell, hit his head & we had to wait for EMS to take him away.

After not sleeping well, I’m ready for an easier day. It’s 43.3 km & supposed to take an INTERMEDIATE BIKER 2hrs & 30 minutes. Ate breakfast, left about 9:30. Got to Heidelberg about 3:45-6 hrs later. It was very hot, Armand couldn’t see his phone to tell if we were still on the blue line and he doesn’t believe in asking for directions. For the 1st time in our marriage, I became the navigator because I could see the blue line. After averaging 3 to 4 mph-it was really hot and I was still exhausted from yesterday-we arrived at the Ritter St. George in Heidelberg. I do believe in stopping to ask for help & did so many times. After a short nap, we walk the streets which are full of people and restaurants. We find a Subway. Then I tell Armand I don’t want to bike tomorrow. I need a break after 2 days and want to go sightseeing. We can take the train to the next town.

Showed up at bike shop at 9:30. After an hour, we were ready to start. They put the maps on our phones & were taking our luggage to Hotel Bacchus in Bensheim. It was supposed to be 60.5 km (about 40 m) & take 4 hrs for an EXPERT BIKER! Problems getting out of town, problems reading phone, problems getting lost, problems with terrain, problems with my attitude & bike seat was painful to sit on. Then our phone batteries were going dead-stopped at apartments to charge it.

The 4 hour bike ride took us 10 hrs. Got to Hotel Bacchus at 8:45 pm. Armand fell off bike 2 times- blood running down his leg. I’m sure I’ve had worst days, but I don’t remember when.

In the 10 hrs, this was the only time we stopped to eat

Nice park across street-sit on park bench-watch people of all ages on bikes-many parents pushing babies in strollers or have kids in baskets on front of bikes. Cafés, bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants line the streets. People sit outside enjoying food and conversation-no loud music necessary like in Texas. Many people smoke and are out walking their dogs.

Go to bike shop and take a 3 hrs guided tour of the city. Need to practice for tomorrow.

We left JILL, our new pet sitter, to take care of Harley and Libby. How fortunate we are to have someone so amazing stay at our house while we are gone. Our good friend BECKY took us to the airport. We left at 4pm-arrived in FRANKFURT GERMANY at 8:30 am-non stop. Watched 2 movies-Elton John was good. Took expensive taxi to HOTEL MAINGAU.

We left early-did not get to play pickleball because it was raining. Will have to do that on our next visit. Happy to be home & see HARLEY & LIBBY. Not sure about them because JOHN, our pet sitter, did a fantastic job taking care of them & our house. It’s still hard to believe that someone would take care of your pets & house for free. It makes going on adventures so much easier. THANK YOU, JOHN.