Day 3 – Passing Nürnberg

Today was a long day, so let’s dive right into it. After enjoying a delicious breakfast in Ansbach, I hit the road. Along the way, I passed by yet another farm. There seem to be plenty of them around here, perhaps one of the main sources of livelihood in these remote villages. The people in these areas are more open and willing to engage. A young boy (whose name I unfortunately forgot) kindly showed me around his family’s farm.

After a few kilometers, I spotted an older man poring over his large printed maps. Wanting to assist him, I turned back and approached him. His name is Jörg, and he’s quite the character. Despite his age, he covers the same distances as me on his journeys. His maps must play a significant role in his success. 😂 He cooks and sleeps outdoors every day. During the pandemic, he even traveled to Venice via the Alps along the Via Claudia Augusta. There are four other routes as well: Trans Alp Rhone, Trans Alp München Venedig, Ciclovia Alpen Adria, and Innrad St. Moritz Passau. Talking to him was truly inspirational.

After another 40 kilometers, I arrived in Nürnberg.

Since I had been to Nürnberg before, I was somewhat familiar with the city. I took a couple of pictures, then left the city center and made my way to the beach. There, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing couple. He was from Wellington, Australia, and she was German. We instantly became friends. They graciously allowed me to borrow their paddleboard, and we shared many laughs.

Eventually, it was time for me to continue my journey. To my surprise, and without my knowledge, they hopped into their car and drove ahead of me. They positioned themselves along the route, cheering me on as I passed by. It was incredibly sweet of them.

Later in the day, I stumbled upon a beautiful lake by chance. Without hesitation, I jumped in and enjoyed a refreshing swim.

The remainder of the day consisted of some mundane hill climbs and finding my accommodation. The place I’m staying at is called Gasthaus zum Wulfen. I wonder if there are any wolves lurking in these forests? Today, I managed to cover 102 kilometers, and I can feel every single one of them in my body. I should get some rest now. Tomorrow awaits.