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September 08, 2013

Two Peeps on a Vespa: In Quest for Breakfast

There was a terrible thunderstorm last night. The roar of the thunder, the lightning flashes, and the rain pounding against the windows kept me wide awake for hours. Don't get me wrong, I like this kind of weather, so I spent my time standing barefoot in my PJ's on the front porch, watching the storm.
We got up early because Sunday outings are at their best when the roads are clear. What we hadn't considered at that time was the storm's aftermath of wet leaves, debris and snapped branches.
The track was still wet but Roland did an excellent job negotiating the obstacles, and dealing with the slippery conditions two-up.
Our favourite halt at Brandenkopf was still covered in a blanket of clouds. So we decided to skip the ascent up the tower as there were no view to be had.
The skies were grey but Alonzo, my trusty steed provided enough contrast in the picture. We stopped at the Freiersberger Tor, which marks a significant portal along a major hiking trail. Ok, you are not really supposed to ride through, but the obvious photo op was too tempting.
We believe the cattle in the background might have been Galloways but we aren't sure as those go usually hornless.
On our way back over the peak of the Löcherbergwasen we found a small snack bar (open from April to October 10:30AM to 8:00PM) where motorists, hikers and bicyclists come together for a most welcomed rest stop.
The kitchen offers a handful of rustic (fast) food and soup options - not necessarily vege friendly - and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot and cold beverages. Nothing to write home about but certainly a place with potential... Alice's Restaurant comes to mind.
With no Starbucks, Tim Hortons or other major chain cafe around heading out on an empty stomach on a Sunday might not sound like the brightest of ideas, but we mastered the challenge.
Merely by accident we rode by s'Moccacino Cafe & Bakery where we found the desired breakfast goodies: A nice selection of rolls and pastries, excellent coffee and an ecclectic choice of special teas. Mission accomplished: Death by starvation averted!
We arrived back home about 2 1/2 hours and 60 klicks later, a few minutes before heaven had opened its floodgates again. What a nice way to spend a Sunday morning, don't you think?

Map:

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Hoch zwei zum Sonntagsfrühstück.
Normalerweise frühstücken wir zuhause. Unser Bäcker ist fünf Minuten zu Fuß entfernt. Doch nach dem Gewitter in der Nacht und bei den trüben Aussichten für den späteren Nachmittag nutzen wir die Gunst der Stunde und schwingen uns noch einmal zu zweit auf meine Vespa. Der Sturm der Nacht hat Spuren hinterlassen, es liegt nasses Laub auf der Straße, und Äste und Matsch, die es zu umfahren gilt, aber Roland macht das inzwischen ganz souverän. Am Brandenkopf ist es noch nebelig, mit einer Aussicht können wir heute nicht rechnen, also fahren wir ins Tal. Ich pose mit Alonzo am Freiersberger Tor, welches den Westwanderweg durch den Schwarzwald kennzeichnet und wir kommen an ein paar fransigen Kühen vorbei. Galloways? Wir wissen es nicht genau, denn eigentlich haben die ja keine Hörner. 
Eine beliebte Moppedstrecke geht über den Löcherberg und ein saisonaler Imbiss läd zu einer Pause ein. Das Menü ist eher einfach, aber die Leute nehmen es an. Die Öffnungszeiten sind von April bis Oktober von ca. 10 Uhr 30 bis 20 Uhr. 
Unser Frühstück bekommen wir in einem Bäckerei-Cafe nahe Oberwolfach. Bei frischen Laugencroissants, Jasmintee und Cafe Latte lassen wir es uns gut gehen. Der Sonntag ist gerettet und wir kommen wenige Minuten vor dem nächsten großen Regen nach Hause.

25 comments:

  1. I think that's a great way to start a Sunday morning! As to that stone gate, a little bit of minor trespassing now and then....is OK.

    dom

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    1. Dom, it is, isn't it? And it was good timing as it started raining non-stop shortly after we got home.

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  2. Your landscape keeps on giving. And I'm pleased to see that there is no Starbucks in the area.

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    1. Martha, no Starbucks or the likes within 50 miles, which sometimes makes it a bit of a challenge when you are in quest of a quick warm beverage fix.

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  3. Boah, ein Laugen-Croissant? Lecker :)

    Bild 2 gefällt mit richtig, richtig gut.

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    1. Ich liebe Laugen-Gebäck, die Croissants waren auch was Neues für mich.

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  4. Let's see..... Holding tight onto hubby, riding on two wheels, and finding a quaint little cafe. Yes, a perfect Sunday.

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    1. And not to neglect the dry spell between torrential rainfalls...

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  5. Love the photos Sonja. There sure is some pretty scenery in Germany. Looks like they have some superb roads with lots of twisties as well. You were lucky to avoid the rain.

    Maybe you can go check out Nordschleife one day for me.

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    1. Chill, Nordschleife is a myth... it cost you 33EUR to drive/ride it, and due to the fact that there are tourists and the likes on the course speed limits might apply... not sure if that would tickle your fancy.

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  6. The wet leaves sound a bit treacherous but it looks like another great trip. You could write a moto-tour book with all these journeys.

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    1. No way, book would only attract people, and I like 'my' roads empty ;-)

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  7. "I spent my time standing barefoot in my PJ's on the front porch, watching the storm."

    Yep. That's where I would be.

    More great photos, and it sounds like a great day out!

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  8. I can't imagine how Roland manages to tuck his knees in especially riding 2 up - but it all looks good to me!

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    1. A Vespa is like a Tardis... bigger on the inside. We both have indeed enough room for our bums, and Roland's knees are tucked in.

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  9. Sonja your pictures are beautiful! It so makes me want to ship my bike over there and just roam.

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    1. Dar, a rental would likely be cheaper ;-)

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  10. I prefer to listen to the rain from under the covers (the epitome of cozy) ... but sounds like a terrific Sunday.

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    1. Karen, that's for sure another good option ;-)

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  11. Lovely....like the photos. Really makes me miss the Schwarzwald. It's been a decade since being there, but thanks to you I'm seeing it again...on two wheels!

    Reading to the bottom I'm suddenly reading auf Deutsch! Nice perc for reading your blog....language refresher!

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    1. Thanks Dave, glad you like what you see. An increasing audience of German speakers have fueled the desire to make this a bi-lingual blog. It's language training for me as well ;-)

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  12. Beautiful blog and pics! We have the same issue in a smaller metropolis trying to find an independent breakfast house on the weekends as a ride destination is damn near impossible in Birmingham, Alabama.

    Glad I found you!

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    1. Hello to Alabama! Thanks for visiting my blog.

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