Travels 2025 - The Last Frontier, the PCH & the Danube

Wednesday - October 8, 2025 LeRoy and Vialula at the Kinderdijk Mill in the days of yore Our final destination on this tour is Kinderdijk. We are in the Netherlands now, and the small village we are visiting is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the nineteen (19) well preserved 18 th  century windmills, a very obvious juxtaposition considering the very cool and modern drawbridge we passed under as we arrived. Drawbridge down after riverboat passed through Drawbridge up just after our ferry passed under We arrive via ship, only to disembark, and then board a ferry that will take us to Kinderdijk. Our Ferry Our guide today is named Dirk, pronounced "Deeeerk" or some such.  The Netherlands is a tiny little country, and the Dutch are shall we say, short and direct, sometimes exacting.  He is a retired school teacher and knows more about windmills than the average bear. Dirk, our guide These windmills are located in South Holland where water management and the use of windmill...

 Tuesday, October 7th Much to our dismay, we awoke to another grey day.  No rain, though, so we can't complain, but Vialula says blue skies make for nicer photos.  This is our next to last day on this amazing trip, and our last stop in Germany, and the adventure has been truly amazing.  We have learned so much, and seen so much.  The cathedrals and castles dance in our heads at night as we sleep! Cologne on a sunny day, not our day (thanks @Brittanica) Speaking of cathedrals, today's visit to Cologne Cathedral promises to be one of the most fabulous.  We get an up close and personal look this afternoon which only 550 stair steps can afford! Cologne Cathedral coming into view Our guide this morning is Sarah.  She reminded us first and foremost to stay off the bike paths!  Biking is the preferred method of travel in Cologne, and they have their own dedicated lanes.  Pedestrians beware!  She also loves chocolate and recommended this one nex...