Ruth’s Diary

July 24, Monday. Trendenstadt to Freiberg (95 kilos) F We breakfasted at the Konig Karl – botchen – honey & chokolade. We got started about 8:30 & the very first thing we climbed a steep, steep hill. After the previous day’s pushing I was discouraged at the end of the first 5 minutes but once at the top of that it was a thrilling coast & easy riding for about 45 kilos. Outside of Wolfach two German boys (Hitler Jugend) who were hiking formed a front & rear guard. We were held up by a whole contingent of the German army from motor car to motor cycle brigade, tanks, & kitchen. I thought many of the faces of the soldiers very grim. The next town of any size was Hausach, although we passed through many others. These small towns have no underground sewage disposal & when one can get a peek into the back yards – they are generally very dirty. The front are clean & no matter how small or dirty, as in Holland, they all have a flower bed & flower boxes. We stopped to eat in Haslach, all except 2 boys who had gotten left behind somewhere. Florence & Harold bought the lunch – bread, cheese, cold wurst, & mustard, 2 kinds of pastry, a piece of pie, tomatoes, plums & bananas for 8 marks. We started on again at 10 mins of 1:00 but didn’t ride far as it was a continuous climb. We climbed for over an hour over the mountains, through the Black Forest & although discouraged at the time, it was well worth it for it was one thrilling coast down the other side. The road went up like this and down the same way —- The two German boys stuck with us all the way & sang continuously – they tried to teach us one of their songs & then we sang for awhile so the riding was a pleasure & it didn’t seem any – 5:30 P.M. They took us right to the hostel. I washed, went down to see if there was a package for me as I hoped that my jacket would be sent on from Mainz, & sure enough it was there. I was starved & supper tasted grand – spaghetti, 2 fried eggs, sliced tomatoes, & Frank bought pastry. After supper Helen & I went window shopping & planned all that we would buy in the morning (written on the train from Freiburg to Augsburg).