This is not my first Meekend, but the first one I’m telling you about. And I didn’t do it right, anyway. I didn’t bring a notebook. I didn’t really follow the program. I’m not sure why. And it’s not that I was so busy and needed a break, but more my family needed a break from me. I had been wanting to go to the woods in Germany for a while, near the Dutch border… So, I got up at 4:30 in the morning and was in the car by 5. The good thing about the summers in North Europe is that it’s light out by 5am. 3 hours later, I had a parking spot along the river in Monschau. I walked into the town to the only open bakery and sat down for a cup of coffee and a little bit of bread.
After that, I went exploring a bit. As with all travels like this… I had to poop. Don’t sneer, these are the perils of the road. So, I had to find a cafe or something. I found one on Google Maps and went to this cute little place along the river. Grunetal 1.
Everything worked out bowel-wise, so I had another coffee, and the lady of the house told me where I could go for a walk. I changed clothes in the car, then I walked along the river and up the hill. In total 5km. And then came back to the cafe for lunch. Heaven. Can’t wait to go back with the wife and kids.
Then I had to look for a place to sleep. I figured I’d come this far, so I decided to go to Bernkastel-Kues. It’s a city I used to go to with my wife before we had kids. I little wine town right on the Mosel. Just another hour south. Went there and had something to eat, and walked around again for a while, and bought some Mosel wines. Still no place to stay. Found a hotel room two towns over. It was fine. 65 euros for the night.
Woke up early and went for a walk. This is my meditation. It was so quiet and serene. I could sit under the trees and hear nothing but the wind and the birds chirping. I walked about 7km. Always good to have Run Keeper on to track my route and save the event.
Went back to the hotel refreshed and found something to eat. Then I was off again in the direction of home to look for a new place to stay. As always, I make note of signs on the road pointing out cool stuff to see. On one of those brown signs on the road was an Abbey. I went to check it out. Gorgeous.
Hung out and hand a cup of coffee and a delicious laugenecken. That’s like a triangular German croissant. Gotta try that if you’re ever in Germany. I don’t know if they are better than croissants, but my experience is that they are more consistently good than croissants. Anyway…
Ended up finding another abbey as I was driving. Abbey Steinfeld. I stopped off to check it out and turned out they offered rooms. I needed a good nights sleep after two not so great nights and a ton of walking. So, got a really nice room including breakfast for 85 euros. Went for dinner across the street. Slept like a log. I highly recommend this place to stay. My wife doesn’t like to travel alone but I think she would love this place for a night alone.
Went for a walk in the morning. Got a little lost but did ok. Then headed home and stopped off in Aachen on the way. I had never been there and it looked worth the effort to check out.
Indeed a pretty city, but the weather was dreadful. Had lunch at an Indian place and then headed home.
And that was it!