Still September 6th

Well, that was fun.  Decided to drive to  Heppenheim today.  It’s about an hour and a half drive from Baden Baden.  It’s only an hour and a half drive if there are no accidents or road works.  We were about an hour into our trip when all of a sudden traffic came to a stop.  We were stopped for a good twenty minutes when we had huge emergency vehicles screaming up behind us.  We all had to squeeze to one side or another to let them through.  So we knew it had to be a pretty serious accident. After another twenty five minutes of stopping and going we came to the scene of the accident.  There were four cars and one huge transport truck involved.  The transport trucks windshield was shattered. We don’t know what happened but it was a mess.  Anyway, we finally arrived in Heppenheim.  And what a treat it was.  Like something out of a fairytale.  Winding streets, half timbered houses, cute shops.  They were setting up for some big event for the weekend.  We aren’t sure what but possibly a cycling race or something of the sort.  Good thing we went today and not tomorrow or Sunday.  We had lunch,  walked around, took lots of pictures and I even found a couple of sundresses on sale.  Then we headed home again.  The autobahns here are unbelievable.  They may have worked years ago but they can’t handle the number of cars and trucks anymore.  I have never seen so many trucks in my life.  They have lots of rest areas and you can’t pass one that is not filled with trucks.  I guess they no longer use freight trains to transport goods so it is all handled by trucks.  I would not want to be a truck driver over here.  Or to have to commute for work.  Driving is very stressful.  Anyway, we made it home alive and only have two more long drives left.  We leave here on Monday for Honfleur, France. It’s about a 7 hour drive, barring accidents and road works.  We will be there for one week and then another long drive back to Amsterdam to fly home on the 17th.  It feels as if we have been away forever but now the time is flying.  We both agree that this is probably our last trip to Europe.  It’s been fun but too many people, cars, trucks and bicycles.  Hopefully the Black Forest tomorrow.