Day 7 The best of humanity

As whalloped as we feel each morning, once we get riding, it always feels great.  With cooler temperatures and a bit of downhill we were off and flying fast early.  Our first German city, the stunning walled city of Waldshut saw far fewer crowds as the shops are closed on Sundays.  An amazing carb loaded lunch and dessert helped us push on to other amazing villages.    Each unique and stunning Medieval village we encountered seemed to become my  new favorite.  As the day wore on, the sun beat down hard on us and our energy fizzled.   I searched for a landing spot nearby and  reached out to another warmshowers host but figured it was likely too late to ask.  Fortunately Maria and her sweet husband Tom responded and so now we had a target, and even better, an offer to join them for dinner.  That put a spring in our pedals.  The only problem was that there was a bit of a hill in our way.  We expended the last of our energy climbing it before  flying down a trail of tree canopy and vines into yet another charming village.   Our hosts home sat just inside tower gate of Rheinfelden and their charming place backed right up to the city fortress wall.   As a host you are only asked to provide what you can provide so there is little expectation of much more than shelter, a shower and maybe a blanket.  Maria and Tom went way beyond that, and maybe it's what they do for each guest, but after failing to find a washing machine at the last 3 stops, they had no idea just how much we needed a shower, and a clothes washer, but most of all a homemade dinner!  On the way into town I told Greta about Swiss customs of eating meals slowly so to take her time and expect it to last a while, and I reminded her to be gracious and eat whatever was offered.  Little did we know, the meal on offer was our Swiss favorite of Raclette  cheese & potatoes and Swiss salad.   We were so hungry, I could have cried it tasted so good.    The irony is that we were starving but Raclette forces you to be patient and slow as each piece of cheese had to be melted slowly on a burner.   It was agonizing watching the little burner, begging it to melt faster!  It was slow but it was perfect.  Exactly what we both needed to boost our spirits after a hard day.   Both cycling tours now I've found myself at the mercy and recipient  of overwhelming kindness  and service offered by others.  It's a position I rarely if ever find myself in back home.    Everywhere we go people want to talk to us, give us recommendations, get to know us and offer us incredible kindness such as Maria and Tom.  Cycle touring immerses one deeper into the culture and provides opportunities to meet and sometimes rely on others.  It truly is an opportunity to witness the best of humanity.

Interesting name Waldshut.  Clearly it should be called Waldopen

I'm bent on eating this gelato

Europeans know how relax better than we do

Europe's largest wooden bridge.