21 Aug 2011
Isny im Allgau to Marktoberdorf (75 km)
After spending the past six hours pedaling hard under the burning sun, the only thing either of us wanted was a cold, icy Coke. But it being Sunday and all, every town we’ve ridden through has its sidewalks rolled up. There ain’t nothing happenin’ in Germany on a Sunday. Feeling as though I might simply drop dead of heat stroke, I saw before me a mirage from home, taunting me with the possibility of an icy drink after all. Could that really be what I think it is? Why yes, it is, mine eyes have fallen upon America’s gift to the world, a set of Golden Arches. Thank God for America is all I have to say. Thank god for America spreading its fatness around the world with its love of 24/7 and fast food. The only thing setting this McDonald’s apart from one back home is the nearly full bike rack out front. A bike rack at a McDonald’s in the States? Forget about it. Who would ride their bicycle to get a Big Mac? But here in Germany, at least a dozen diners pedaled on over for some super-sized pomme frites and a Magnum McFlurry. Let me say it once more, Thank God for America.
Besides those Golden Arches, we did see some other pretty things today.
Hi Again!
We (me, Kristen and Jeff) have a similar “Thank God for America and the Golden Arches” story from central Europe — this time it was 1998, and the 3 of us had been in England w/ our folks for Gary’s wedding, then were traveling on our own (with a friend or 2 along the way) in central Europe. It was our final 2 days of a 3 week trip, before flying home out of Frankfurt…and we had just made our way back from Prague to the Austrian border, via train (which is a whole other story about almost separating when Jeff & I got on the wrong train!! The Czech language is quite challenging…). After having to transfer from train, to bus, back to another train again…and hoping that our rental car parked in the tiny Austrian border station was in good condition (and not missing altogether!)…we all 3 agreed that all we really wanted was to stop at the McDonald’s in the small town nearby, before hitting the Autoban to Frankfurt!! It was pretty comical how we were all thinking the same thing, but each were afraid to admit it to the other!
It all worked out in the end…and Jeff finally got his LARGE Coke with LOTS of ice!!!
Have fun!
Karen