Finally rain ☔️🌧

I could have stayed in bed for a long time 😴 but today there was a lot to experience. It started with an amazing breakfast as preparation for the day 🤤 By the way, if you want to stay here too, the guesthouse is called 'Zur Eiche' in the Krippen district.

With rain jacket, zip bag for valuables, umbrella, and a rain cover for the backpack, I waited for the rain to stop and it did. The bike ride to the spa town of Rathen should take about 45 minutes, where I wanted to see the Bastei Bridge and other highlights of the nature park. Although I had to push a bit on the way there with a 13% ascent, I also had an 18% descent into the village 😎 And a great view of the Lilienstein ✌️

In my search for a place to park my bike, I asked a few residents for advice. As soon as I explained my request, my bike was safely stored in one of their properties - the people were incredibly welcoming!

In constant drizzle, I then made my way up to the Bastei Bridge 🥾 The weather was great - not only were the temperatures pleasant, but the forest hardly let any rain through and the feared overcrowding was also 'washed away' 😌

My route was clear: Bastei Bridge - Schwedenlöcher - Amselsee - Felsenbühne... and back again. Back again? 🧐 You read that right, I went up there twice today (and back down again). From the Bastei, I had discovered two great spots on the other side that I hadn't found before. So I did some research and was shocked to see how close I actually was to my destination.

Arriving at the viewpoint, I realized that not only was there fog among the trees, I was also steaming from exertion 😁 But the view was definitely worth it! Or what do you think?

Unfortunately, the weather didn't get any better, so I couldn't watch the show in the evening at the Felsenbühne 😕 Instead, I had to return to my accommodation earlier than expected. The 45-minute ride along the Elbe was another little highlight with cows, horses, restaurants, and the 'beach' 😉

Now I have to refine my tour for tomorrow and I'm glad that I made it back to my accommodation with dry feet after all :)