fiftybybike:
Map of the fortified town of Neuf-Brisach, built in 1698 to guard the border between France and the Holy Roman Empire
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Just minutes into France, we enjoyed our first fresh croissant on the central square in Neuf-Brisach
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Area between the multiple concentric star-shaped fortifications of Neuf-Brisach
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Entry gate to Neuf-Brisach
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First dinner in France: a piquenique in Colmar, complete with Bordeaux and quiche
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Gypsy band busking outside Cathédrale Saint-Martin in Colmar
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Gypsy band busking outside Cathédrale Saint-Martin in Colmar
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Inside Cathédrale Saint-Martin in Colmar
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Side door to Cathédrale Saint-Martin with concentric wooden trimwork facade similar to those we saw in Bavarian farmhouses
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Cathédrale Saint-Martin exterior in Colmar
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Sculpture in the courtyard of the Bartholdi Museum in Colmar (same sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty in New York)
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Trying to appreciate charming Colmar on a drizzly day
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The sun finally broke through in the afternoon, letting us see why Colmar is a popular tourist destination
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Laura in colorful Colmar, France
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Beeses in colorful Colmar, France
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Another pic showing why adorable Colmar is a tourist destination
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A micro version of the Statue of Liberty (actually called "Liberty Enlightening the World") in Colmar, France (the hometown of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, its sculptor)
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Today's ride took us through a string of charming villages in the Alsace wine region
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The colorful ceramic tilework on this village's church was interesting
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Between villages, much of today's ride was between endless rows of grapevines
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Nice day to bike tour the verdant wine region of Alsace
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More of a billboard than a functional work bike, but I still couldn't resist snapping a photo
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More picturesque riding through the Alsace region of France
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This short but steep hill left us both panting
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It doesn't look like much, but comfy chairs in a climate-controlled and rain-free lounge at our campground in Wasselone sure felt luxurious
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A little holiday houseboat moving up through the locks of the Rhine-Marne canal in Saverne
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We got many waves from holidamakers on boats as we cycled along the canals of Alsace
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This empty and clean little building along the canal made a great lunch spot
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Even picnic tables inside the canal house!
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In Arzviller we continued onto the abandoned stretch of the canal, which still had numerous locks and lockhouses along it