We finally get to visit the Brouwerij de Prael Proeflokaal that Michael tried to take us to on our first day. I walk in ready to use my Dutch and my new vocabulary. “Heeft u een proefplank?” “Do you have a tasting board?” The guy affirms and turns his back to me as he starts prepping it and asking follow up questions. I wasn’t ready. I saw the board had 6 slots and I had only preselected 4 beers. The other bartender tells him that I speak English and I abandon my Dutch.

The museum is ginormous and overwhelming. I know most people go for the Mona Lisa but I was not interested in navigating tight crowds. Instead, we started with the furniture and belongings of the French court from Louis XIV to XVI. My favorite was a gilded blue and white living room setup from Louis XV. Our dining room back at home is painted that same shade of blue with white trim! I need to get gilding and add pearls, crystals, and a sash to our chandelier!

Elevator to the summit is another line and this time we don’t have the benefit of the tour to advance us ahead of the crowds. When we reach the tippy top Michael and I get separated briefly. He saw a “penny” press machine and thought I would want one. I saw the sign for the champagne stand and went to find that. No one was manning the champagne counter when I arrived, but music and lights were going, and an open bottle on ice was in view. I stayed put long enough for our bartender to return while I’m at the front of the line. Santé!

After yesterday’s schlep up the stone stairs, Michael makes the call to hail a cab to our hotel instead of navigating the local metro system of Paris. As I am one constant tummy ache, I agree. We go to the taxi lane but the first cab we flag down stops for us… then restarts and moves further down the aisle. He picks up a woman with a cigarette. Maybe if I had a cigarette I wouldn’t look like a tourist.

Upon arriving in Tilburg, Michael finds us a Brunchcafe. It’s a Monday morning, but we’re on vacation so we get mimosas. I get a waffle with avocado and egg called the Goedemorgen and Michael got an avocado toast called the Bravocado. Our coffees came with a little caramel fudge.

Sunday at a Hash Weekend is like the last day of summer camp. Time to pack up and say goodbye.

The trail itself was really excellent. We were on some awesome wooded trails and despite it feeling like whe had a lot of uphill climbs (575 ft) it was mostly downhill (1000ft)! We ran through the intersection of Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. There was a long line of tourists for the multiflag photo spot so we ran around the outside of it. Except Pink!

The cool, overcast morning was excellent riding weather and the first part of the trip went smooth and comfortably. Our first beer near was on a patio. As we were getting ready to move on, I noticed Michael had dragged his bike away from where we were parked and back into the patio? I wasn’t about to follow him so I stayed near the road ready start riding again.

Our Red Dress Run was a walking parade of Baarlo. The whole town turned out to cheer for us from their homes and at a bar. It was great to see the locals welcoming us.

Never in a million years would I have thought to rent a boat and traverse the canals on my own. It was a really unique perspective to see the city. And we have to thank the people of pancake restaurant with its own dock for not being annoyed when we pulled over to used their bathrooms. We showed our appreciation by buying whatever beers they had in bottles.

Michael and I fly out of Boston on the Monday following Tricia and Scott’s wedding. We take Aer Lingus and have a layover in Dublin. The plane’s upholstery is pleasantly green and our redeye comes with some fuzzy green blankets. I also end up exiting out of the back of a plane for the first time which was a surprise.