Sept 30 - Weinheim, Germany

Wrote letters after breakfast. After lunch I went to get a haircut. Mapped out Switzerland. Left for Weinheim at 6 pm. It's raining and blowing hard. Took the autobahn past Frankfurt to Weinheim. Arrived in town at 7:30 and went to a small German guesthouse. Mr. and Mrs Furtado, Willa and Stevie and I had Weinerschnitzel, wine, french fries, coffee and salad. An entertainer was there with accordion, xylophone, and piano. Arrived at the youth hostel high on a mountain overlooking the lighted city. The wind is blowing furiously up here. As I said goodbye again to friends and comfort, I felt a deep lonliness inside. I can easily see why a man must have friends.

Haircut .60
Book .95
Map 1.40
Hostel .30

Sept 29 - Bad Nauheim, Germany

[The image is a letter I wrote from Bad Nauheim to my parents in Lawton Oklahoma. On the right Patty Furtado and Yvonne Quinnett, whom I mention in the letter]

After breakfast I returned to my room and got a lot of writing done. FIgured out my course through Switzerland. Patty went babysitting and I continued reading throughout the afternoon. After dinner, Mr and Mrs Furtado, Stevie and I took a ride through Bad Nauheim and Friedberg. Checked out the train station about sending on the tent, bag and boots. Went to the top of a mountain overlooking the city. It's cold and drizzling out. Curses! Stopped for seven pizzas. By the time we returned home the wax paper was firmly attached to the cheese, so we ate the pizza and the paper both. Talked with Mr and Mrs Furtado until late, and retired.

Sept 28 - Bad Nauheim, Germany

Wrote a little after breakfast and worked on the bike. Took the bus to the AYA football game between Bad Nauheim and Hanau. Had hamburgers and french fries for lunch. Got home about 6 pm. Had dinner. That evening, had a long discussion with Pat. Got to bed late again.

Sept 27 - Bad Neuheim, Germany

[This is the Youth Hostel guest pass I purchased in Frankfurt, showing the youth hostel stamps from Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France]

Awoke early. Had breakfast and took the school bus to Frankfurt. Took the streetcar downtown. Repaired the wheel, checked for mail at the American Express office. Picked up a youth hostel guest pass, and walked through the city.

Took the streetcar back to school and caught the school bus back to Bad Nauheim at 3:30 pm. Washed up and had dinner. Took the American Youth Activities bus to Hanau for the Herman Hermit's party with Patty. The crowd was mainly older people, a very unresponsive and quiet crowd. The dance was all soule, the music, the dancing, and the kids. Home late.

Youth Hostel guest pass 5.50
Bike 1.00
Lunch 1.00
Map 1.70
Time Magazine .40

Sept 26 - Bad Nauheim, Germany

At 6 am I awoke with a loud "Guten Morgen" and a radio turned up. Ate breakfast and went to town to repair the wheel. Left it at the shop and walked around town. When I picked it up it went flat again so I left it and went back to the youth hostel. Sat around for a few hours. Had lunch and went back to town. Picked it up and went back to pack up. Left Giesson at 4:30. Arrived in Bad Nauheim at 5:30. My girlfriend from my hometown in Ft Sill, Oklahoma, lives in Bad Nauheim, where her father is stationed with the Army.

Washed up. Had dinner and went to see "Planet of the Apes" with Patty. Went to bed after snacks.

Mileage: Giessen to Bad Nauheim 80 km 21 mi

Breakfast .50
Lunch .15
Bike 1.00

Sept 25 - Kerstenhausen, Germany

Left Fritzler after breakfast. Beautiful weather. Just outside of Kerstenhausen the racing tire blew. I wheeled into Zwesten and unsuccesfully tried to repair it. Walked to Zimmersrode and took the train to Giessen. Got to the youth hostel about 6 pm. Went to see the town at night.

Mileage: Fritzler to Kerstenhausen 14 km 9 mi

Breakfast 1.00
Tube 2.75
Train 8.90
Dinner 2.80
Hostel 1.20
Mars bar 1.50
French Fries 1.50

$5.00

Sept 24 - Fritzlar, Germany

Ate breakfast and left in the rain. High winds and steep hills kept me in high gear today. Arrived in Hogeismer and cashed a check. Went on to Kassel, where I had to unpack and tighten my spokes. Bought five new spokes. Arrived at Fritzlar at 4 pm. Checked in and worked on the bike. I couldn't replace the spokes and in taking off the tire I punctured the tube. I put on the racing tire in hope of getting to Bad Nauheim on it where I can get the back wheel fixed. Took a short stroll through town. It's turning cold now. The town is beautiful, half-timbered buildings tower above the very narrow streets. The rain is slowly falling and only a few our out on this lonely night.

Mileage: Karlshafen to Fritzler 70 km

Spokes: .75 DM
Breakfast 1.50 DM
Mars Bar 1 DM
2 French Fries and Mars bar 1.60 DM
Hostel 1.20 DM
Hamburger 1.85 DM

$2.00

Sept 23 - Karlshafen, Germany

Had breakfast at the Youth Hostel and left for Karlshafen. The wind has died down but it's still cloudy. The country has changed to that of another land. Steep mountains line the river and tiny villages dot the land. It rains all the way into Karlshafen. Went out to see the town after settling down. Bought some stamps and walked through the little town. Just as I returned to the hostel a terrible thunderstorm passed over, turning day into night. Wrote letters. Ate dinner of oxtail soup and retired early. A boy from Berlin just arrived.

Mileage: Hameln to Karlshafen 77 km 50 mi

Breakfast 1.00 DM
Snacks 1.88 DM
Stamps 14 DM
Hostel 1.20 DM
Dinner 1.50 DM
French Fries .60 DM
Snacks 1.60 DM

$5.45

Sept 22 - Hameln, Germany

Arose and left. It's still overcast. Today I cycled against the cruelest winds I have ever seen. It was slow and hard work. What should have been a two hour trip took four hours. Arrived in Hameln. Looked at the youth hostel and then had some food and walked through downtown. The window displays in the narrow streets were very interesting. I wish I had a lot of money!

Mileage: Hannover to Hameln 46 km

Chocolate, ice cream 1.50 DM
Lunch 4.45 DM
Youth hostel 1.20 DM
Map .95 DM
Coffee 2.80 DM
$2.70

Sept 21 - Hannover, Germany

The brats were up at 7 am, so I ate breakfast and left at 8 am. Started raining right away. Arrived in Celle and had some snacks. It cleared off in the afternoon and the wind started blowing. Got into Hannover bone weary. Discovered the new tires I had strapped on the back had come loose and the rolling tire had worn two of the four I bought. Went to a German Scout's house and waited several hours for him. After finding out he was out of town I arrived at the youth hostel after dark. Had dinner of green pea and sausage soup. They're shooting display fireworks across the lake for the children to see. Wrote and retired.

Mileage: Muden to Hannover 74 km

Mars candy .25
Breakfast .05
Snacks .50
Youth Hostel .35
Dinner .50

Sept 20 - Muden, Germany

Awoke and left early. Nice drive through the North Luneberg Heath. Started clouding up and rained after noon. Had lunch in a restraunt just before Muden. Pork Cutlet and French Fries. Was chased by British and German tanks in Bispingen. Sounds just like home too, artillery firing could be heard all morning. Arrived at the Youth Hostel at 3 pm. There's plenty of kids here, mostly young German students. Those punks kept me up until midnight.

Mileage: Hamburg to Muden 97 km

Ice cream .25
Dinner .50
Lunch 1.25
Youth Hostel .30

Sept 19 - Hamburg, Germany

Went into Hamburg city on the subway. Walked around downtown. Went to the top of St. Michael's (440 steps). Walked down St Pauli, Hamburg's sin center. The sidewalk salesmen tried to get me to go into the clubs for a look. Picked up the bicycle and rode back to the hostel. Lunch downtown was in an American cafe. Two hamburgers, two orders of French Fries, two cokes. Took the bike out to Hamburg's airport and browsed around. It reminded me of the days, only a month ago, when I was landing in Luxembourg. Read my Reader's Digest and went to bed late.

French Fries .25
Lunch 2.00
Digest .50
Dinner .50
Hostel .30

Sept 18 - Hamburg, Germany

Ate breakfast at the youth hostel. Left for Hamburg. Made good time into Neumunster, took my time into Bad Bramstadt. Arrived in Hamburg at 3:30 pm. Bought the tires and a bell. Got to the youth hostel at 4:30 pm. It was full. Left my bike and rode with a guy from Switzerland to the other youth hostel. Went to the U-Station and had some food. Checked in at 6:30 and worte. A boy and his girl from Tokyo gave me their address. I let him use my razor, which he needed badly.

Mileage: Kiel to Hamburg 92 km

Breakfast 1.60
2 maps 1.80
Ice cream .60
Bell 1.75
Tires 24.00
Lunch 3.00
Youth Hostel 1.20
Dinner 3.80
Bananas .22
French Fries .80
Ice cream .50

Sept 17 - Kiel, Germany

Awoke too late for breakfast. Packed up and left. Had much trouble finding my way. Bicycle paths weren't clearly marked. Grew very fatigued because I hadn't eaten since the night before. Arrived in Kiel at 4 pm.

Found my way to the youth hostel easily. It's on a hill overlooking the city and harbor. A cloud has descended on the city leaving a mist hanging in the air. It's quite chilly out, I feel that winter is right behind me. It's the type of weather for having a warm girl by your side to make it perfect!

Mileage: Flensburg to Kiel 83 km, 51 miles

Hotdog and ice cream .50
Coca Cola .25
Ice Cream .05
Youth hostel and dinner .70

Sept 16 - Flensburg, Germany

Awoke at 8:30 am. Left after breakfast. Strong winds all the way. Started pouring down just before town. When I arrived in Flensburg I asked directions at a gas station. Immediately afterwards, I slipped on a streetcar rail, taking four pieces of meat from my leg, spraining my right wrist, and getting muddy from head to toe, right side.

I had just started off again when a lady rolled down her window and said something in German. After examining myself, I found that my bag containing my passport, maps and more were in a mud puddle about 1/2 km back in the road. Then the boot hanging on the right side of the rear wheel went through the wheel, sadly bending the luggage carrier and locking the back wheel.

I pulled off the road to fix it. It was tangled so badly I had to cut it loose. Pulling out the knife I slashed open my left index finger. The blood from my right leg was pouring down my leg, as a passerby pointed out to me.

After bandaging myself, I started off again almost an hour later. After asking five people how to get to the hostel, I found it neatly hidden in the trees, clearly not marked by signs. Bathed, ate, wrote and slept. And this wasn't Friday the 13th.

Mileage Pjedsted to Flensburg 98 km, 62 miles

Lunch 1.25
Youth Hostel .30

Sept 15 - Silkeborg, Denmark

Awoke at 7:30 am. Went to Mass in town at 8 am. Had breakfast and packed up. Left Silkeborg at 10:30 am. Strong winds all the way. Clear when I started but now the sky is covered with thick black clouds. Arrived at 3 pm. After dinner, Jorgen, his girl and I went to Fredericia to the "Club 600." We had 16 bottles of beer between Jorgen and I. Took the taxi over to Pjedsted. Sobered up at his girls house. Got to bed late.

Mileage: Silkeborg to Pjedsted 80 km, 50 miles

Club 600 1.40

Sept 14 - Silkeborg, Denmark

Awoke just as I do at home. Henry, age three, came into my room at 7 am. He brought his cat, which he swung by the tail, and started singing.

Went to Aarhus, bought a uniform, raincoat.

After lunch we went to the scout hut, situated on a hill overlooking the valley and forests. Went boating up the river and climbed up to a mountain top, where we could see the river valley. Came home for a lavish dinner of roast pork, red cabbage, potatoes, wine. Went out to a party with 8 adults and 7 kids. Got to bed at 1:30 am.

Candy .40
Stationary .40
Postage .90
Raincoat 7.00
Patches 1.00

Sept 13 - Silkeborg, Denmark

After coffee with Jorgen I left for Silkeborg. He pushed me past Vejle on his motorcycle. Got cold so I put on my jacket and gloves. The sky is quite dark with thunder clouds. It started raining on the steep hills just before Silkeborg. Peter picked me up and brought me home.

Had coffee, read my mail. After dinner we went sailing. After that we went around town. On Friday they stay open until 8 pm. Had coffee on returning. Peter's father is very well off. The home is quite modern. Peter has a lovely but quiet 16 year old sister.

Mileage: Pjedsted to Silkeborg 80 km, 50 miles

Expenses .14

Peter Madsen
Drosselvei 19
Silkeborg

[At the 1967 World Jamboree in Coeur d'Alene Idaho, the scouts had a big "get acquainted" game. Each Scout had a card with one of the letters in "Friendship." Each scout took his card and matched up with other scouts to spell the word. Peter Madsen was the "R" on my card]

Sept 12 - Pjedsted, Denmark

Left Odense about 9 am. I decided to take the back roads today. I found out how much you miss on the big highways. I passed through one remote village that I'm sure has no tourist traffic. There was this cute six year old boy, as dirty as he could be, holding a newly picked bouquet of purple flowers. Both eyes staring wide at me. Denmark is alive and moving. Flowers color the landscape. Hellow fields of wheat lay readay for harvesting or burning.

Arrived in Pjedsted about 1:30 and had coffee. Went to see "Casino Royale."

P.S. Send three rosettes.

Mileage: Odense to Pjedsted 68 km, 43 miles

Ice cream .15

Sept 11 - Odense, Denmark

Left Korsor on the 8:30 ferry for Nyberg. Cycled into Odense in 1.5 hours. Had lunch and went downtown. Saw Hans Christian Anderson's house and museum, the cathedral, and the natural museum. Returned on the bus and scooter and had dinner. Cleaned up the bike and wrote. Watched TV and read "The Inheritors." Looked at slides of Sweden and Denmark.

Mileage: Korsor to Odense 29 km, 18 miles

Book-Museum 1.50
Ferry 1.70
Candy .50

Mrs Karen Neess
Viggovangel 10
Fruens Boge
Fyne, Odense

Sept 10 - Korsor, Denmark

I didn't realize how many kids were staying here until this morning. Must be over 400. Talked last night with one boy from London. He's been to Istanbul. Now he has about five dollars to get from Copenhagen to London.

Had breakfast in the kitchen and left about 9 am. Stopped for lunch half way. Arrived in Korsor at 3:30 pm. Went down to the docks until sunset. Watched the trains loading onto the ferries for the trip to Frederickshaven. Ferries, fishing boats, large and small, all over. For an Okie it'a a strange sight.

Mileage Copenhagen to Korsor 109 km

Lunch 2.30
Youth Hostel .75
Aerogram 1.25
Ice Cream .15

Sep 9 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Stig took me down to the dock and saw me off. I bought my ticket and cashed my Swedish money into Danish. Then I boarded the ferry ahead of the cars. I leaned the bike up against the side of the wall and went up to the second deck. I watched Stig take of picture as the mighty boat pushed off. I walked up to the forward part of the top deck. Helsingor and Denmark seemed only a few miles away, yet there everything would be different.

A breeze coming off the sea sent a chill up my spine. But another chill came over me as I realized I was leaving, not only a different country, but a score of new acquired lifelong friends.

Arrived in Helsingor at 10 am and left for Copenhagen. The drive was beautiful along the coast. Ate lunch, just before Copenhagen in a small seashore parak. Went to the American Express office. Arrived at the Vanderheim at 2:30 pm. Boys from Lebanon and Italy here. Five boys from Tokyo also.

Mileage: Helsingor to Copenhagen 45 km, 28 miles

Postage 1.00
Ferry .40
Chocolate .15
Drink .20
Youth Hostel .90
Drink .15
Food .75
Bread .15

Sept 8 - Helsingborg, Sweden

Went to 11 am High Mass in Helsingborg. A most curious reminder of what we have emerged from in the last few years. Lunch on returning. Pork, potatoes, carrots, green beans, salad, ice cream and strawberries.

Went out to Kullaberg. Went to the top of the lighthouse for a fine view of Halmstad, Helsingborg and Denmark.

Walked through the ship docks north of Helsingborg. Coffee on returning.

Listened to records at the neighbor girl's house. Dinner.

No expenses.

Sept 7 - Helsingborg

Awoke late. Had breakfast and left Halmstad at 10:30 am. Mountain just before Angelholm was quite steep, but I managed to cycle through it. Arrived in Odakra about 3:30 pm. The drive through Strovelstorp, Hasslarp, and Fleninge was real nice.

Stig Johannson lives with his wife, his parents, and another family in this old, large, two story building. The Angelholm-Halsingborg train runs 10 feet from the house. When a train goes by, the whole house shakes. Bathed, ate, went out to see Helsingborg. Ate on returning and watched "Mission Impossible."

Mileage: Halmstad to Halsingborg 72 km, 45 miles

P.S. Send at least two Indian bead rosettes to Stig.

Stig Johansson
Skogshyddan
Fabriksgatan 15
Odakra near Halsingborg

Sept 6 - Halmstad, Sweden

Awoke about 8 am. Breakfast of corn flakes, sandwiches, coffee. Rolf and his wife had already left for work, so I packed up and headed out. The new lower gear makes downhill faster, but I can't stay in it. Forgot the sandwiches she made for me.

Arrived in Halmstad at noon. Picked out a spot in what I thought was a desolate forest. Bought food, washed up and had lunch and dinner. I'm writing at the edge of the forest, next to a cliff from where I can see the entire town. On the dirt road leading into this forest have come many cars, including a police car, three girls running, an army soldier on a bike, elderly people strolling. I'm having a wild time guessing what's at the end of the road.

Took a walk down the road. Apparently this is a park, a large, natural refuge. There seems to be a military firing range nearby. Went into town to see a little more of it. Couldn't find the ocean, as hard as I searched.

Mileage: Ljungby to Halmstad 75 km, 47 miles

Lunch 1.83
Snacks .45

Sept 5 - Ljungby, Sweden

Slept till about 8:30 am. Had sandwiches for breakfast. Packed up my bike. The wife made sandwiches for me to take. They took movies of me as I left. It's hard to believe how nicely they treated me. Left about 9:00 am.

Stopped only to eat those sandwiches. Arrived in Ljungby at 12:15 pm. Found the Persson's house and unloaded. Lunch of omelets and a wild meat. Rolf is a Monark racer. He races on his Monark and Crescent bicycles. We went to another cyclists house and put on another set of rear gears and oiled the bike. Dinner of chicken, rice, salad. Watched "The Virginian." Went to bed.

Mileage: Varnamo to Ljungby 42 km, 26 miles

No expenses.

Rolf and Lilian Persson
Villagatan 21
Ljungby

Sept 4 - Varnamo, Sweden

Awoke Late. Sandwiches for breakfast. Lennert was off to work at 5:30 am. Two sisters off to school. Went into town to buy aerograms and cash a check. Lunch of hamburger patties, mashed potatoes, bread and butter. Read anything in English I could get my hands on today. Dinner and to bed.

P.S. Find a pen-pal for the girl.

Candy .25
Aerograms .80
Postage .25
Amount spent in 9 days: $20.31

Sept 3 - Varnamo, Sweden

Awoke late. Stopped for breakfast at an Esso service station south of Jonkoping. Pushed hard into Varnamo. The sky clouded up again. Looks like wet weather ahead.

Arrived in Varnamo about 11:30 am. Got a map at a service station and found my way to the Andersson's in time for lunch. He is a music instructor. They have two daughters and one son. The eldest is a 19 year old boy working from 6:30 to 5:30. Their 16 year ad 10 year old daughters are still in school.

We biked down to the four-times-a-year market downtown, much like a carnival or circus. Walked through downtown and the parks. Had dinner of spaghetti and sausages. Took a night walk through this part of the city. Wrote letters and retired.

Mileage: Jonkoping to Varnamo 72 km, 45 miles.

Breakfast .40

Sigurd and Karin Andersson
Paronvagen 25
Varnamo

Sept 2 - Jonkoping, Sweden

Awoke early and packed up. Had a wonderful breakfast of fish, sausage, and marmalade sandwiches, coffee, and cornflakes. Left for Jonkoping. The sky is clear and driving here along the water's edge is beautiful. Although I'm not supposed to be on this superhiway, it's a good road.

I seem to be the only bicycle. Arrived in Jonkoping and put up my tenet in the triangle formed by the intersection of three hiways. Went into town, then went to sleep.

Mileage: Omberg to Jonkoping 76 km, 48 miles

Map of Denmark .35
Breakfast 1.00
Lunch 1.95
Ice Cream .20

Sept 1 Omberg, Sweden

As in Oklahoma on any early Sunday morning, the real fishermen are out no matter what the weather. I'm sleeping near a fishing dock and the first voices I hear on this misty morning are those of the fishermen. The're bringing in beautiful 3 to 5 lb trout out of the lake.

Packed up and started for Motala. Arrived after a grueling grind and looked for a place to buy some food. Closed up tight on a Sunday, so I picked out some goodies and used the remainder of my marmalade and had lunch on the riverbank.

Now I know why this day is called Sunday. Not since I left Sodertalje have I seen the sun. Today she breaks the clouds apart and shines through. It's heartwarming. Arrived at the Omberg hostel and checked in. A German boy traveling by car is the only other person here tonight. We went down to the lake. We tested the water and I fell in to my waist. Right after a hot shower and clean clothes, wrote letters and went to bed.

Mileage Askersund to Omberg 81 km, 50 miles

Lunch 1.00
Hostel 1.10

August 31 - Askersund, Sweden

Ken spent the night in town with another student. Now he's on his way to Oslo. I packed up my bike. Everything's soaked after an early morning rain. Left Orebro about 10 am and arrived in Askersund without a stop.

Went into town for lunch of sausage, French Fries, milk and bread and butter. Set up tnet north of town and read until dark.

For the first time in my life I am genuinely homesick. It's a terrible feeling, especially for a boy trying to turn into a young man. I wish I were home again. Here I am in Sweden, beautiful Europe, and there's no place like home. I suppose this is all due to the fact that I haven't seen the sun in a week. Tiring work, cycling as I do is no work for the weak of heart or soul. I haven't had a friend, or warm bed, or home cooked meal since Lennert's flat, but I shall in three days.

I won't be able to attend Mass tomorrow. There's no Catholic church around. But I ask God to give me strength in these times of weakness.

Mileage: Orebro to Askersund 53 km, 33 miles

Expenses: Lunch 1.85

August 30 - Orebro, Sweden

Awoke around 9:30 am. Went down to the towns library after breakfast. I read "My Dream for America" and "Fail-Safe." It is still dark and overcast outside. I'll stay here tonight also.

This campground and coffeeshop seems to be the teen hangout for this end of town. It's quite misty outside. Inside the Konditori is a slot machine. One boy just put in a Kroner piece (20 cents) and within 3 minutes had 30 50 Ore pieces, worth $3.00.

The atmosphere here is quite enchanting. At night the campgrounds outdoor cafe and tables are colorfully lighted. In the Konditori, the sales lady saw me counting my Kroner as I looked at the goodies, so when I asked her how much the coffee and cakes I had cost, she took 1 Kroner and piled on another cake, all worth probably 60 cents.

There's a chap from Wales camped beside me tonight. He's hitchhiking around Europe and now he's on his way to Oslo.

I notice from the Headlines Humphrey's been nominated. Good gosh - what's the Party coming to?

Camping place: .60
Coffee .20
Playboy $1.30
Chocolate .10

August 29 - Orebro Sweden

Left Eskilstuna at 8:30 am. Had lunch near Julita:

• 6 salami B&B sandwiches
• 3 orange marmalade
• 1 liter milk
• 2 dl orange drink
• 2 peaches
• 1 ice cream bar

Arrived in Lappe at 1:00 pm, went on to Orebro. Arrived at 4:00 pm. Was looking forward to a warm stay in the friendly hostel, it closed for the year Tuesday. It's quite a dreary and cold day, so I put up in a camping-plat.

Mileage: Eskilstuna to Orebro 109 km, 68 miles.

Food in Julita .68
Food in Orebro .63
Camping Place .60

August 28 - Eskilstuna Sweden

Left Strangnas at 10:00 am. Stopped for an ice cream and chocolate almost 2/3 of the way. Arrived in Eskilstuna at 12:00 noon. Toured the city and ate lunch near the youth hostel, a large castle-type structure. Went to the town library, a most beautiful and modern civic center, to write letters. Set up my tent on 230 close to town.

Mileage: Strangnas to Eskilstuna 34 km - 21 miles

Expenses:
Lunch 2.10
Ice cream and candy .35
Coffee .60

August 27 - Strangnas Sweden

Today I started the big trip. After breakfast with the six English boys, Wendy (as I have christened my Swedish Monarch bicycle) and I set off to see the world. Today is a perfect day for biking. The cool breeze is refreshing and the sky is as blue as the sea.

I pulled off the road to see Mariafred, a beautiful village on the shore of Lake Malaren, off the beaten path. Bought a drink at the I.C.A. and had an early lunch under the shade of a tree. The men in the fields are harvesting their crops and women chat over tea in their yards. The cycling is easy. This is the life!

Arrived in Strangnas at 11:30 am. Rested for a while on the shore of the lake. Went to the library to write some letters. Set up my tent off the road leading north from town. I'm now by my tent, in the forest about 100 yards from the highway.

Mileage: Sodertalje to Strangnas 48 km - 30 miles

Expenses:
Drink .20
Aerograms .80
Luggage strap .40
Ice cream .20
Log Book $2.00

Lennert Lindholm
Lovangsvagen 11
Sodertalje

[I had been invited as part of a group of Boy Scouts from Oklahoma and Texas, with our World Jamboree Scoutmaster by Scoutmaster Lennart Lindholm from Stockholm. We arrived in July, and following a two-week hike in Lapland, I spent another two weeks with Lennart before setting out on bicycle.]

A trip through Europe - 1968

In 1968, at the age of 16, I was invited by a group of Swedish Boy Scouts whom I had met at the World Jamboree the previous year, to come to the north of Sweden for a camping and hiking trip on the Kungsleden, the "King's Way" across Lapland.

I was the eldest of five, the son of a Japanese/Spanish father and fair-skinned Oklahoma mother who settled in Lawton, Oklahoma. I had graduated from High School at the age of 16, and decided to take this trip in July, and then buy a bicycle and continue to tour the remainder of Europe. I was too young for the Vietnam draft, and too young for college, but I was in the application process for the United States Air Force Academy.

This blog details my daily journey, with maps and some photographs. I did not take many photographs, as film and processing were expensive, and it takes time to compose a memorable photograph. I just wanted to bike and wander with both eyes open (and both hands on the handlebars). The odyssey was indeed the experience of a lifetime, and now 40 years later, it is enjoyable to remember the challenges, victories, views, languages, and odors which would last forever.

Twenty years later, I would find myself in the Air Force, assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Soon after, the Berlin Wall would come down, with significant changes to Europe. I noted the significant advances in Germany from 1968 to 1988 in infrastructure, highways, and homes, but the enduring country feel and charm remained.

Mike Nishimuta
San Antonio, Texas
September 25, 2008

Update August 2013
I am now 61 years old. In 2012 my wife and I were assigned to Aviano Air Base, 70 miles north of Venice. We live in a small town, where I am able to go out for about 30 minutes each day in the summer on my bicycle. I ride for about 15 minutes north, on a beautiful bicycle path through the cornfields and trees, then 15 minutes back on the road that parallels the mountain range. I still love the bicycle!  It is so interesting to see the changes that have come about in this area over the past 45 years. Slovenia and Croatia are now quite the low-cost vacation destinations for many. The mountains are still beautiful, and Venice is still sinking into history! 

Mike Nishimuta
Aviano, Pordenone
August 11, 2013

45-year Anniversary Ride
On Saturday, October 19, 2013, I re-created the day nearly 45 years ago when I rode from Venice to Bassano. I began the day from home, driving to Mestre. From there I took my bicycle on the train to Venice Santa Lucia, and began at the Piazza Roma at 9:30 am.  I followed the same route as I did in 1968, but the traffic was intense on this Saturday morning. I followed the beautiful canal between Mira and Dolo, and to Villa Pisani.  Once I reached Padua, I followed the ancient Roman road straight to Cittadella, an ancient walled city, and then to Bassano. It was hazy today, and the mountains could just be seen from the old covered bridge across the Fiumi Brenta.  Apart from the occasional villas which are over a hundred years old, it looked like most of the suburban sprawl is from the past twenty years. There were not too many cornfields and gardens to be seen from the highway. Although the five hours had me tired and weary on the saddle, it was fun to re-create the ride of days gone by.  Each day back then was absolutely glorious, because I had no idea of what was to come. In 1968, I still had my 17th birthday, all of Switzerland, France and England in front of me for the first time.  

Mike Nishimuta
Aviano, Pordenone
October 21, 2013