Memorial Day--Remembering and Honoring

Monday, 29-May-2017 - Veghel -  It's 2200 and dark now.  I forgot to fly the Flag today (this photo was taken last year).  It is Memorial Day 2017.  I put it on my calendar.  I talked about it with Marij last night, but I still forgot.  It's not a holiday here.  There's no mention of it in the local news.  My thoughts and feelings for my country are unchanged since last year at this time.  "It's Memorial Day in the United States and for Americans all around the world--we remember and honor all Americans who died while in military service to their country.  We thank all those who have served, and all those still serving...On Memorial Day, I can only feel pride to have served my country to help keep it, and the countries of its allies, free and peaceful..."

Fun-on-Wheels Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Weekend

Sunday, 21-May-2017 - Callantsoog/Texel/Medemblik - This was a weekend we won't forget.  Thanks to Astrid, Frans, and Jeannette for organizing this year's Fun-on-Wheels "in-country" skating weekend.  26 skaters and two moped riders were good for 120 km!  See links below for photos, clips, and gps-routes by day.
day01_fri_19-may
day02_sat_20-may
day03_sun_21-may

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 3

Sunday, 21-May-2017 - Medemblik - Today Erik, Gert-Jan, Lisbeth (photo), and Simon from the Radboud Inline Skating Club were our guides. 24 skaters, one moped rider, and one bicyclist--good for 40 km. pics (167)
gps-tracked route

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 2

Saturday, 20-May-2017 - Texel - It was a glorious day.  We saw acrobatic seagulls all around the ferry on our way to Texel.  24 skaters and two bicyclists and two moped riders--good for 45 km. pics (291)
gps-tracked route part 1
gps-tracked route part 2
acrobatic seagulls (1:03)
dutch wind on texel (31 sec)
ferry docking at den helder (1:37)

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 1

Friday, 19-May-2017 - Callantsoog - We ate supper at De Strandtent and saw this amazing sunset.  We also experienced lots of playful seashore foam (video clips).  21 skaters and two moped riders--we were good for 35 km.
pics (253)
gps-tracked route--part 1
gps-tracked route--part 2

playful seashore foam (51 sec)

mysterious seashore foam (32 sec)

Sunny Saturday Skating

Saturday, 6-May-2017 - Veghel - It was sunny and warm.  I first needed to get my skates in order.  My right frame had loosened op during the Thursday evening skate.  It seemed that vibration was causing the problem.  I use wedges to correct pronation, and didn't slide the wedge all the way against the frame mounting screw.  I took this opportunity to rotate my wheels.  I thought of a way to keep the wheels and bearings turning in the same direction to minimize wear.  At the Sligro meeting point I was amazed to see eight skaters:  Annet, Bart, Jacqueline, John, Marleen, Ria, Willy, and me.  Our largest turnout of the year! We headed for Heeswijk-Dinther.  Along the way, we passed a herd of grazing sheep (photo).  We were good for 17 km.  When I got back home, I took a shower and made pizza for supper.  pics (85) gps-tracked route.

De Toren Evening Skating on Remembrance Day

Thursday, 4-May-2017 - Dinther/Veghel - We were in Veghel as it neared 8 PM.  We stopped and observed two-minutes of silence for those who died who died during World War II, as well as other military conflicts and peace-keeping missions.  Eight skaters--good for 22 km. pics (22) gps-tracked route