In the summer of 2019 BC (Before Covid), I taught for the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) in Torino, Italy.  After my teaching stint ended, I solo traveled to Krakow, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Bratislava, Budapest, and Athens.  (A few days later, Joel met me in Athens, and we continued onto Crete for his son and now daughter-in-law’s destination wedding.)

What became apparent to me is that as much as I enjoy cities, especially the architecture, gardens, and “surprises,” I do not enjoy crowds.  I also need nature!  I need to be out of the city and, preferably, in the hills or, at the very least, on a trail.

When my host Christine and I were chatting a couple of days ago, she suggested, knowing that I like to walk, a day trip to Damme, a nearby village.  I decided to take her advice, prepared my backpack, and headed to Damme this morning.  (My initial thought was to take a boat on the canal back to Bruges, but it wasn’t available today.  No problem!  It felt good to have a ten-mile day!)

What did I see?  Canals, a windmill, horse-drawn carriages, cows, vintage cars, cute buildings… It was another wonderful day!

[Note:  Such a wonderful day, I had to sort through 133 photos!  These represent my favorites from today.]

A line of vintage cars passed me on the road.  As they went by me, I quickly snapped some pics.  Here’s the best of the bunch.

I’m not in the big city (if we can call Bruges big!).

There must have been a festival or event happening along my route as horse-drawn carriages passed by me.

I was never alone.  Lots of cows and horses to keep me company!

In Damme’s plaza, I found this “wishing tree.”

“After the past difficult corona years, the city of Damme wants its citizens and visitors to start dreaming again.  Put your dream, wish, or message in this wishing tree.  The tree stays put until 18 September 2022, when the event ‘Time for peace’ will take place.  The wishes that were placed in the tree will be used during this celebration and maybe some of them may actually come true.”

Oh, the joy on her face!

I am enamored with doors and windows!  I took so many photos of them but culled them down to just this one.

Windmills are not just in Holland!

A far off farmhouse.

The canal boat I thought I would take instead was a “party boat” today.  I heard it coming very much before I saw it!