Heidelberg, Germany

Hi from Heidelberg, Germany

I am sitting at Stefan Knopf's place wishing the sun would come out (it is 45degrees F; 9 degrees C) and there is a cold, cold rain (Br.r.r.r.). But bad as it is for me, it is even worse for Stefan because he is trying to put a new roof on his house. Rain is terrible for roofing.

I got here yesterday, but my luggage has yet to arrive. I know that it is at the Frankfurt airport, and so is my nice, warm jacket and my sweater. The airline called here and talked with Stefan this afternoon while I was out exploring, and they told him they would deliver my luggge tomorrow. He says he got strict with them and told them it has to be today, but we will see about that. It is 8 pm now, and still no luggage.

I left the Evansville airport, close to where I live, two days ago. It was a short flight to Dallas, Texas, where I was to pick up my direct flight to Frankfurt, Germany.  But we had to circle for an hour while the Dallas airport waited for the thunderstorms to clear off the airport, and then the plane I was on had to land at another airport to get more fuel.  So, by the time I got to Dallas, my flight to Frankfurt was gone.

They did get me on a flight for London, England where I picked up a connecting flight to Frankfurt. I made those connections okay, but my luggage didn't.

I was excited to see Odysseus, my motorcycle, when I got here to Stefan's house. Odysseus was sitting in a big warehouse along with a lot of other motorcycles. This is just one of two or three warehouse where Stefan stores bikes for people from around the world.

Here is one of the bike riders.  This is Dean Tanji. He rides a Vstrom like mine. I didn't get pictures of any of the other people here because they left early this morning to go off exploring on their bikes. I took this picture of Dean while we were eating breakfast at Stefan's guest kitchen.

Here is a picture of Stefan's workshop.  I rolled Odysseus in there today and got his battery hooked back up and did some other odd jobs on him and changed his oil.

 

 He is all ready and eager to get rolling, Can you tell? (He is the handsome dude on the right.)

I went out to explore Heidelberg a little today. I had to do it by train and tram because my warm motorcycle clothing is in my lost luggage.

I went to see Heidelberg's famous castle up high over the town. I apologize for the poor quality of these pictures of Heidelberg I took from the walls of the castle. I had to use my IPhone camera. I do have my better camera with me, but its battery is (guess where ---).  Right.... in my luggage.

Here is a picture of the town of Heidelberg. Pretty, isn't it?

 

 

Heidelberg is just right for bicycles. There are separate bike paths everywhere that keep them away from cars and buses.  I love riding my own bicycle back home,  and would do it all the time if we had bike paths in Illinois like they do here. Everyone seems to ride here, from old people to the very young. They put their bikes right on the train to get to town, and then head off to do their shopping. Perfect.

I hope I will be able to start off exploring tomorrow. I will have to make at least one change in my plans. I had wanted to go ride some of the passes in the Alps, but I hear they are snowed in.  I think I will head for England instead. I have to be there for a Horizons Unlimited meeting in a week anyway, so I guess going that way now will work Okay.

Its going to be cold camping. Maybe I won't be able to do that. I think maybe I will try staying in youth hostels instead. I have done it before. They are clean and inexpensive and, most important right now, warm.

(A quick update: I ran out of battery on my laptop before I could post this blog, so now it is Friday morning and I am eating breakfast. And guess what--- my luggage is here! Stefan told me a few minutes ago that it arrived just after midnight. Now I am all set --- I have my warm clothing, my charging cords, my spare batteries. Now it can be cold (but not rainy please)

More later,
Ron

Retirement

There was an early morning meeting scheduled last week. I was surprised when I got there, because it turned out to be a surprise retirement breakfast for me and for our marvelous math teacher, Debbie. What a shock! But I should have expected it because the people I work(ed) with are some of the finest on earth.

After the breakfast, they showed a video. Each staff member and all the upper grade students were on it. They all had the nicest things to say about Debbie and me, and there were lots of tears in the audience. Sob -- I'm gonna miss you guys!!

 

 

This is Debbie and me with our cake and with some of the students.  Cute huh? (Them, I mean, not me.)

 

 

Someone shouted "Group Hug" (I think it was I) and this is what happened. The picture is out of focus, but the reaction of the kids is too precious to throw the picture away.

 

Later on, the sixth graders, who were not in the last picture, decorated a classroom and threw a party of their own for Debbie and me. They were hiding when we walked into the room so that they could bounce out and yell "surprise"!  Too cute for words.

 

 

They wanted a picture of us with the cake they baked for us. Only too happy to oblige kids. Thank you so much for thinking of us.

 

 

Here is close-up picture of their cake. I think they did a good job decorating it. It was tasty, too.  Plus, they had thought of ice cream and drinks.  You kids are party animals. (smile)

 

I wish I had more pictures. There were special gifts from the School Board, and special recognition at church (complete with a standing ovation) and much more.  This week gave me plenty of special memories, I can tell you.

 

And, the week was special in other ways too.  My wife, Patrice, who teaches English at the High School, retired also. And she got her share of accolades too.  Everyone at her school says that they arereally going to miss her. And I believe it, because I think she is pretty special myself.

 

And, to top the week off, my youngest, Victoria, graduates from High School tonight. She is a Valedictorian of her graduating class; she has a very good scholarship to the University of Illinois; and -- ta da (drum roll please), she found out last week that she  will be going to Washington, D.C. in October to accept a National Award for an essay she wrote on Columbus.  Way to go Victoria!  We are all proud of you!

 

There is going to be a big party here at home Sunday, and then Tuesday I am off to Germany.  Got to find some time to spend with Patrice before I leave though,  because I will be traveling when our 30th wedding anniversary rolls around on June 9. I wish she was going to go to Europe with me, but she hates riding motorcycles. Besides, she wants to take a well earned rest here at home. She has had an especially stressful year at school, so I can understand that she wants to kick back and relax. Still, I am going to miss her while I am gone. I am also going to miss my family and friends. Be happy and healthy while I am gone everyone. I feel so blessed by each of you.

 

I love my life.

 

Next posting will be from Germany.

 

Bye for now---

 

Ron