Today is a scheduled short ride as they are calling for rain and we should take a day off.  However, if the cool temperatures and 25 mph winds in our face are any indication, it could be a long, short ride.  Four miles into our ride we came upon the very cute town of Bad Bresig.

Jim and/or Nick if you’re mapping this trip, skip Kripp and stay here for the evening, very charming.   We enjoyed a entertaining conversation with a proprietor of a restaurant; once again proving that neither person has to speak the other’s language to share a laugh.

There were castles on both sides of the river, most we saw from afar.

We  were able to see the Namedy Castle; quickly passing through the gates taking a couple of photos then out again.

Our course lead us through some countryside then back to the Rhein.  Dropping us into the town of Andernach, originally a Celtic settlement and later a Roman fort.

We are truly living in a fairy tale on this ride.  Further emphasized by our arrival in Koblenz.   We pulled into town as the church bells from all sides of both rivers began tolling, it is an incredible sound.  This city was one of the earliest Roman settlements in Germany – then called Confluentes, because it was at the confluence of the two rivers, Rhein and Mosel.

Besides the history and castles, Koblenz is also know for the vineyards, time to check them out!

Apparently, it is also know for it’s flower festival

that keeps the hotel rooms totally booked for six months.  The Germans really know how to do festival, good for them, not so good for us!  We were luckily to find a lovely room on the fifth floor right on the Rhein.  Remind us to tell you about taking our bags up stairs.

The town is filled with castles, shops and lots of places to enjoy life!

As we sign off for the evening, two shocking/amazing things to us.  The amount of people that smoke is unbelievable.  Almost as many people eat ice cream, but I don’t think any of them enjoy it as much as this young lady.

And as the gentleman in Bad Bresig told Jerry this morning, Gutte Farht!