Scorching heat at the border

Our bicycles are speaking up today, they feel neglected and are not here for nothing! So after a cozy cereal breakfast, we plan today's tour. We ride with the "Knecht" to Arnschwang, as the route there promises more ups and downs. It is too flat here at the Steinberger See.

It is very hot again and we are excited about the route described as 'On beautiful side roads through the Hohenbogenwinkel.'
In fact, we ride the over 60 km almost entirely on the road, except for a short stretch. That's how it is here in the Upper Palatinate ... great roads, but hardly any cars. The route is beautiful, sunny, and offers magnificent views of the expansive landscape. Luckily, we have food and drinks with us because although there are occasional restaurants and beer gardens along the way, many of them seem to have been closed for a long time.
Lots of agriculture, a few carpentry workshops, not much else. Perfect for a vacation, but to live here?
During the ride, Mario observes the NATO towers, as they are popularly called, which always tower over a hill ridge visible to us. They are actually a relic from the Cold War. At Hohen Bogen, near Furth im Wald and near the Czech border, a listening post was built in the form of a tower. American, French, and German soldiers served there from 1967 until the mid-1990s. Allegedly, they were able to intercept the radio traffic of the military and the MIG's of the Warsaw Pact up to the Black Sea. About 280 soldiers and employees worked here in up to 5 shifts, 365 days a year. A huge amount of data was collected and transmitted to the command posts. Since 2004, the towers have been privately owned, since 2006 they have been under monument protection and are now exclusively used for civilian purposes. By the way, not far away on the Czech mountain Cerchov is the counterpart that intercepted the NATO radio traffic during this time, allegedly it was possible from here to Paris. Today, steak and beer are sold in the barracks there. Of course, different instruments are used for eavesdropping today. But let's not dwell on that, I'm glad that there was this late 80s policy that ended the Cold War and made German reunification possible, among other things. Speaking of the border: At a crossroads, there is a sign indicating 1.9 km to the border. Of course, we won't miss the opportunity and cycle there in no time. Well, the border. Nothing, except a few signs with the maximum speed limits and the EU-like border sign. When I think back to crossing the border for motocross races in the 80s.... many thanks to all the people who contributed to this European unity. A stork has made itself comfortable on a lamp post, a quick photo and we cycle back to our original tour.

On the way back, we take advantage of civilization for some shopping, as hunger and thirst begin to set in and we also want to go to the lake to visit Frank and Silvia.
We spend the rest of the afternoon and the evening with them. Sitting by the lake, talking and laughing, and Frank catches 2 fish on the side.

Later, 'at home', we want to watch shooting stars, but first there are none and now there are clouds in the sky obscuring the view.