Conversation with the Wind

Day #1

Friday, 01.05.

Departure.

And so it all begins.

Farewell.

Departure.

Adventure.

Of course, yesterday was too short for all the preparations.

The time spent with Jenni was more important.

Thus, the day began in record time after a short night.

The last equipment loaded into the bags. Packing food.

The last hot shower!

For farewell, there is a joint breakfast with the extended family.

One last moment to breathe.

And I can't do it without tears after all.

Yesterday in particular made me realize that I'm going to be away for a very long time.

Even though I am essentially only traveling for one week.

And one week.

And all of that only eleven times.

That helps me perceive time differently.

The first kilometers took us to Krefeld.

The route is familiar; we are taking my work route. For a long time, the last time.

In Duisburg, we meet a friend who accompanies us on the first day.

Fabian had plenty of time to rest as the departure was delayed.

It took a bit longer for me to mentally and physically finish packing everything.

And then the 'realization' that the fully-loaded bicycles feel more like a heavy freight train.

So primarily clumsy.

Every stop at a traffic light is to be avoided.

First, we need to get out of the pot.

We pass through relatively green sections, partly along former railway lines heading northeast.

The weather is great.

And yet there is a certain melancholy accompanying us.

And the feeling of unreality.

We are still so close to home.

It is just a day trip.

Everything is just like we have done hundreds of times 'just like that.'

And yet everything is different.

Just realizing that will happen another day.

Seemingly effortlessly, Fabian glides along while we pedal our loaded bikes around.

Until Dülmen, we are still traveling as three.

There is another farewell, and for Dave and me, the search for our first night’s campsite begins.

As it is getting later in the evening, time is pressing.

Luckily, we find a spot along a country road, where we can sneak into a small grove in an unobserved moment.

The equipment is still new to me, and I struggle to set up my hammock and tarp for the first time.

Ultimately, everything is set up, and after a long, sunny first day, we peacefully and tiredly fall into our hammocks.

I have to adjust something today.

I listen to a lot of music, and often certain songs link with a situation for me.

How that comes about is always very different and situational.

In any case, sometimes there is a 'song of the day' for me.

And since I had a lot of time to think in advance, I already had a song picked out for today.

Then my wife Jenni sent me a song that definitely changes that and makes my plans irrelevant. Therefore, the song of the day.

Vroudenspil - Conversation with the Wind