Part VI - Denmark
Anna's entry:Well, I planned to see my fun friend Erin from Seattle, so we decided to bike it all the way to Denmark! Denmark is our last country (#6) on this cycling trip, and also a turning point before we head out back to Germany, Holland, and then to the UK. Erin lives in Sonderberg, which is located in a beautiful South Denmark. Rob has visited Denmark many years ago, also on his cycling trip, and it will be the first time for me, so I am looking forward to see my friend and experience another country.
We selected the coastal route along the Ostsee/Baltic Sea, and it was absolutely stunning! Gorgeous sea scenery, with breath taking views. In some ways I was reminded of the Deception Path in Washington state which we used to go to almost every year when we lived in Seattle. After flat Holland, Denmark with a lot of rolling hills gave me more of a work-out. We biked about 80km from Germany to Sonderberg that day, which was a routine schedule. However, my bike shift gears began acting up right before we reached the coastal hills of Denmark. So, I couldn't use my "granny" gear, and had to push a little harder. But, the coastal cycling route was so pretty that it took some aches and frustration away from my exhausted bike...
Before we reached for Denmark, we had only a minute to send an email, so we told Erin that we would reach her town some time "today". We probably should have said some time "tonight" - poor Erin must have been looking for hours for us from her window - as we reached her address, I heard a familiar voice calling my name, and saw Erin sitting in her window on a a third floor of a cute Danish building facing the waterfront. Erin, her talented musician spouse Don, and cute dog Bella moved here from Seattle. It was really nice finally to see my friend! Both Erin and Don are very easy going and have a great sense of humor, so we laughed a lot, and shared our stories. Bella, the dog, as we came to find out, also took after them, and has developed a good sense of humor. We piled our bike clothes (which we wore for some time) on a floor of a living room. Bella apparently loved the smell of a travel - we found her rolling on the Rob's bike shirt with an overwhelming enthusiasm, I think it was a hint "time to wash a shirt". Another time, Bella took apart our plastic bags with toiletries, I am not sure if it was a hint too, so we took a shower immediately. The first night we arrived Don and Erin cooked up a home-made pizza which was a real treat we felt nostalgic about after cycling for weeks and weeks, and cooking on a road (though we got pretty creative with recipes I must admit).
Erin and I used to work together in Seattle, so we had a lot of stories to share and recollect. In addition, I also moved to a new country about 10 years ago, so I very much could relate to what it is like to start a new life in a different part of the world. It was so nice to see my friend; Erin has always been so encouraging for me, and her sense of humor and fun personality always made me laugh and feel better.
We spent several days with Erin and Don, and began making plans to return to Germany. On our departure day, Erin cooked a delicious breakfast for us made of pancakes and raspberries...
Erin, Don, and Bella - thank you so much for your hospitality, we had such a great time visiting you! Erin - we still remember your funny story about dreaming to participate in the sorority rush - so if you still want to make it happen, come and visit Nebraska, and yes - the leaves are falling, just like in your dream. :)
Sonderborg, South Denmark
Our bikes are resting below
With my friend Erin, her spouse Don, and dog Bella
With my friend Erin
Picturesque Sonderborg Harbor
Peaceful coast
South Denmark's coast
At the border Denamrk - Germany
posted by Rob and Anna @ 2:24 PM
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