28 Sep 1985, Posted by Scott An Chora in Travelogue, No Comments.

09/28 Baden-Baden, Germany

I woke up with a serious problem.  I don’t know if it was the combination of the exercise the other day, the consumption of alcohol or both but my arms had stiffened to the point where I could not extend them beyond a forty five degree angle.  I tried carried my bags first in one hand and then the other using the weight of the bags to help stretch out my muscles, very scary. I headed south into Baden and made a nutritional stop of berries and nuts, along with a long mineral bath.  It was a well needed vacation from the flow of large groups and moving from place to place.  I made believe that I actually had a room in one of those upper class hotels; I actually took advantage of their patio furniture.  I tipped the waiter heavily a few times and then practically owned the place.  My table overlooked the river and beautiful willow trees.  It was the perfect place to take a break.

I located a hostel in the countryside just down the B500 Schwarzwaldhochstrase into Kreudenstradt.  My scenic bus ride ended on an empty street in rural Germany which was a little eerie since there was not one person to be found on their streets.  I got the feeling that they were looking from behind curtains watching my every move.  I took advantage of the Hostel’s large kitchen table and laid out all the maps and notes I had accumulated over the past month or so and organized them.  I was at a kind of crossroad.  My next steps were not yet defined and needed to be.  I decided to continue south into the Black Forrest and then further south into Italy.  I got a good sleep and lightened up my bags a bit.