We'e in Deutschland uber alles! I am surprisingly emotional about being here. Lots of thoughts about my parents and family history. I really hope my Tante (Aunt) Ulle and some of my cousins make it to the route.

The Green Team must be on an international hit list. We were not an hour into Germany when we pulled into a gas station exchange point and set off an alarm of some sort. And guess what? Shortly thereafter the German Polizei - as opposed to the Dutch Politei - shows up. No citations were issued but it took longer than with the Dutch police to convince them we were legit.

So far there are bike paths here too. However my 10 mile run from Meppen to Hasselunne was traumatic. Ran alongside and sometimes on an autoroute loaded with high speed motorists and semis. The backdrafts brought me almost to a standstill. Then we had some routing problems. Still, I enjoyed hedges of rosa rugosa and the scents therefrom, a field of purple lupine, and dozens of rabbits on and off the path. The run through the village of Hasselunne on cobblestone streets was twisty turny story bookish. I dedicated this run to Dad and to the waters. This area is verdant and agriculturally rich. As much wonder as the rains produce, we are desperate for sun!!!!!

Off to Bremen to sleep...