Well, 10lbs heavier, lots more laugh lines and a higher tolerance for alcohol, we are back home!
To preface - this is the write up with a few pics, I am working on a link that will have all the photos and videos. Should be ready tomorrow.
A big thank you to Sabine and Peter (502 Wingman)
![thumbup :thumbup:](./images/smilies/th_thumbup2.gif)
for making our first international trip and 30 year wedding anniversary spectacular. From the first moment meeting at the airport, the warm welcome to their home, being our personal tour guide around Backnang and Stuttgart to Pullman City in the Harz mountains. Everyday no matter the weather was a fun filled day of laughter, good food and of course cocktails!
Day 1- Thursday, met Peter and Sabine at the airport and headed to Peter's hometown. We were so excited to take our first ride on the autobahn. We went a whole 4 MPH due to rain and a traffic jam - LOL. Top speed was finally obtained at 120 MPH! First stop was lunch at a local Italian restaurant then back to Peter's house to relax from our long trip and eat a homemade classic German meal for dinner: Beef Roulade with Spätzle. Absolutely delicious, not sure how Peter keeps his physique with Sabine's culinary skills!
Day 2- Friday morning Sabine made a classic German breakfast: fresh rolls, salmon, sliced turkey, soft and hard boiled eggs, butter spread, jams, etc. and of course coffee. We then went on a brief tour of downtown Backnang and then a visit to the Mercedes - Benz museum. The town is beautiful and has a lot of history. The museum is a must see for all auto enthusiasts.
Day 3 -Saturday we packed our bags and the trailer with the bikes for the v8 motorcycle rally in Pullman City and a had a relaxing day with a BBQ.
Day 4 -Sunday, off to the Harz mountains to Pullman City, arrived in the afternoon to meet up with Mark Seivers (Mark) Dennis Walstead (PetiteMoose). The party now begins! Off to the Saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning. Each evening was a repeat of this with more and more V8 attendees arriving each night.
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Day 5: Monday the weather did not behave so a group of us decided to drive our cars to Quinlinburg. This town is just beautiful with the architecture, cobble stones, shops, churches, etc were spectacular. We took a bob sled ride which was quite fun especially since I had the fastest time. Ate cheesecake and coffee outside, even visited a cemetery where Sabine's parents are buried. We then had dinner at a Greek restaurant. Every night was spent with the V8 family which grew each day as the official rally was Thursday - Sunday (Day 6- 9). After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning.
Days 6: Tuesday, we toured Pullman City in a stagecoach, watched the shows throughout the day (magician, wild west show, knife throwing, dog & horse show). After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning (again).
Day 7: Wednesday the weather cleared enough for our first group ride. Although it was 52 degrees the good news was it wasn't raining and the roads were dry. Sue and I did not have our bikes, but there was always someone willing to take on a passenger. This was my first ride as a passenger with Igon and his red LS# Bandit, and it was quite a ride!!!
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I realized for the first time how much I appreciate the rider position. The roads in Germany are spectacular, the twists and turns, small villages, cobblestone roads, - just amazing! Sue rode on a trike with Mario who also gave her the ride of my life! We both got a wakeup call as to how straight our roads are in Florida. After returning, a small group decided to go out for fresh smoked trout at "The Dam". I rode with Peter and Sue with Mario. Peter and I are a little "closer" now -LOL!
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning. (Starting to see a pattern????)
Day 8 Thursday - we woke to sunshine!!! Off we go on another ride. This time to a motorcycle museum, Sue is with Igon on a LS3 w 500+ hp It is called the "Bandit bike". Igon was quite a gentleman as much as that bike wanted to go. He controlled both their urges. I rode with Martin on his 502 as Mario's wife was in town and didn't want to share her husband anymore
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning, although the inside entertainment and libations were cut short due to an attendee doing a burn out inside the saloon. The saloon filled with so much smoke that everyone had to move the party outside.
Day 9 - Friday - Another great day so off we go to a ski resort, up the twisty mountains we go. Once there, we got off the bikes and took the ski lift to the restaurant at the top of the mountain. A rain shower came through just enough to get the bikes dirty. After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning.
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Saturday Day 10 - Today is the BIG day and the first event after breakfast is a ride to the airport for the races but due to the high chance of rain we (Peter, Sabine, Sue and I) decided to take the truck. Peter knew of a "short cut" so we can get to the airport before the bikes to video the bikes entering the airport. Unfortunately, there was a accident on the autobahn which closed the road for 45 minutes, after the road closure we headed to the airport hoping to catch a little of the action. Well, there was a detour and then no signal for the GPS to get us there. Peter decided to turn around and head back to Pullman City. I am sure there are a lot of pictures and videos from other members that will be shared on this thread. After returning from our daytime activities - off to the saloon where the beer and Jim Beam was flowing till early morning. (Again) this evening was "the night" for a party and Wolfgang knows how to put on a party!!! The evening started with the burnout pit- awards for best of show, best trike, best paint, best burn out, etc- sexy bike wash, free beer, an awesome band (Four Roses), engines rev'ed at 11:30, a memorial for those in the V8 family who have passed then a SPECTACULAR fireworks show!!! WOW!!!
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Day 11 Sunday - crawl out of bed, meet Sabine and Peter for a breakfast outside on their terrace, then off we go saying goodbye to Pullman city and drive back to Backnang. Eat dinner at an Italian Restaurant that was outstanding and a had a beautiful view.
Day 12 - Monday- off to the train station to the Stuggart airport for a 10 hour flight to Atlanta Georgia, a 4 hour layover then a 1.5 hour flight to Daytona Beach. What a fantastic vacation- Thank you to all that help make this a trip of a lifetime!!!!!