Sunday, 24-February-2008 - Berlicum - The clock struck 0900 as I pulled up to Chris' apartment in the center of Veghel. Chris was waiting for me across the market place in front of the old town hall. We biked 13 km to Berlicum, the start of today's trail ride. We took the 30 km route. Chris was very patient and waited for me to catch up at various points along the route. He's an aggressive rider and has only one speed: fast.
Sunday, 17-February-2008 - Volkel - It was a super sunny day to go mountain biking. It was minus 7 Deg C with no wind at 0830 when I left home to bike to the village of Volkel about 10 km away. This was the starting point of today's trail ride. I signed up for 30 km. The route was marked with tape streamers: red-turn left, yellow-turn right, white-go straight, you're on the right trail. The ground was frozen hard. The route took us through Uden, the neighboring town, to the artificial ski slope of de Schans, where we got to climb the back side of the hill. The route also took us along the Peelrand fault line (we feel light earthquakes here from time to time). When I got to the route's halfway point, the temperature had risen to plus 2 Deg C. I was warm sitting in the sun drinking boulion and eating a raisin roll that was provided. This was my third trail ride, and the first one that I finished. I was real proud of myself. http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Volkel_20080217
Sunday, 10-February-2008 - Uden - More nice weather. Went riding on my mountain bike today. Discovered an elf forest north of Uden in the nature reserve the Maashorst http://www.demaashorst.nl/.
Saturday, 9-February-2008 - Nistelrode - It was so nice outside that I went skating outdoors, instead of in the roller hall.
Tuesday, 5-February-2008 - 's-Hertogenbosch - This picture, taken by Dolph Cantrijn http://www.dolphcantrijn.nl/, appears on page three of the Brabants Dagblad today, along with a Super Tuesday article written by Annemiek Steenbekkers. Kevin Owens and June Verkuil-West, two other Americans living in the region were also interviewed on their election views.
Monday, 4-February-2008 - Veghel - Went with Marij to the center of town to the Blauwe Kei Theater and Cultural Center http://www.blauwekei.nl/ for the Prinsenbrunch (Carnaval Brunch with Prince Carnaval).
Sunday, 3-February-2008 - Veghel - Got dressed up in my carnaval clothes and makeup. After taking a picture of neighbors Carlo, Margari, and Fabio, rode my bike to the center of town to watch the carnaval parade. Saw Chris, Rosan, and a lot more familiar, smiling faces.
