Andlau to Mont Saint Odile to Ottrott to Obernai
I am getting very spoiled from all these delicious buffet breakfasts. There are usually croissants, kugelhopf, baguettes or hard rolls, eggs, cold meats - salami, ham, etc., plates of cheeses, jelly, jam, butter (not margarine but real butter), fruit, yoghurt, coffee and more. It would be impossible not to have any energy after eating like this and how am I ever going to go back to my Total Cereal with skim milk!
On the road, up past the castle above Andlau (closed for repairs), and past Landeck, another castle with many tourists since it is Sunday and OPEN. A French group even asked US if we knew the way to another location and after chatting a bit, we discovered their daughter is coming to Chicago as an exchange student! All together now...what a small world... Everyone we've spoken with on the route has been very surprised to meet some Americans on the trail and wanted to stand around and schmooze. Today was no exception. Many mountain bikers on the same hiking paths as us and two of them would have stood for hours talking to us.
Another surprise was how interested they all are in hearing American opinions about the French people. Since we've always had wonderful experiences in France, it was extremely gratifying to them. We then exchanged good wishes - our new friends said..."Vive America"...was we responded..."Vive La France." Again, we've always had 99% GREAT experiences in France. I absolutely cannot tell you how many times someone has voluntarily walked over to us and asked if we need help...or our picture taken...or just to talk. We love France.
Continuing on and up to Mont Sainte Odile. Odile, was the daughter of the Duke of Alsace. Her father constructed an Abbey here during the 7th century and Odile became the Abbess. Renowned for her great charity, she later became the Patron Saint of Alsace. (Whether you do good works or laundry, sainthood is yours.) By the time we reached the Abbey, it was drizzling again and we were both too wet and cold (it was over 2,500' in altitude) to do the site justice. There were many people up there. Some had parked their cars in Ottrott and walked up while others drove to the top. There are also small navettes (buses) that run from Obernai to Mont Sainte Odile.
A fast look around and down towards Ottrott. A long way through Ottrott and the last few miles into Obernai (dragging) and the Hotel La Cloche**, another hotel part of the Logis de France group. We had a very cute (little but cute) room overlooking the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and the old six bucket well from 1579. Since we leave Obernai tomorrow for two days in Wissenbourg, there's just enough time to clean up, change and explore Obernai.
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