Sabbatical Day 18 – Hardenberg to Ommen (21k)

Saturday, May 18, 2024
Today is a 21k hike. Another beautiful day! Not sure how long I will be able to write this. After our BnB breakfast we head out at 8:30 and walk for most of the day through forest trails. This trail follows a vast network of trails along the Vecht river. It is Saturday, and so we meet more hikers and cyclists along the way.

1. Today is a day of spectacular views, sleepy farms and and peaceful forest trails… Peaceful for the most part. We always need to be aware of the cyclists – individuals, older couples, families and cycling groups. We sometimes forget and are taking the whole path, and are suddenly warned by the ringing bell or the oooi. Or they just past from behind without warning and we jump.
2. We love the look of the homes and farms in the country. Most of them are well-maintained, their gardens are intricately pruned and carved into patterns, but beautiful flowers and hedges. Even their thatched rooves become artistic expressions as well.
3. We pass several hospitality tables or shelters where we can sit, buy Koffie or Thee, or water. We came to a picnic table with a cooler offering Toetjes (desserts). The people we met there were from Groningen, and were so excited to meet Canadians who speak Dutch. Turns out they live in the same area as my parents in Groningen. They wanted a picture with us!
4. We made more friends when we found a pair of glasses on the path. We put them on a nearby post so they wouldn’t be trampled. Not long later we met 3 older hikers lamenting the loss of their glasses. I walked the man back to them (he had already gone back and not seen them), and they thanked us profusely for this good fortune. It is nice to meet so many people along the way, but we still are thankful when they leave one of the few benches open for us to break.
5. Once again we leave the fields, forests, and meadows and enter a desert area. It is so bizarre to see the contrast between  the lush fields and the dry dunes. Thankfully this time we walk around, and not through it.
6. With joy we see the sign from Ommen. We are taking sign pictures of every place where we stop, to help us remember our trip… But also to remind us of that deep joy whenever we finally see it. The journey is still enjoyable, the the arrival is especially delightful when our feet, legs and backs are done for the day.
7. It turns out this is Pentecost Weekend. They have Friday and Monday off. This is a tourist area, and the population of the region more than doubles with campers. The streets are filled with partiers (during the day), buskers, jumping castles and bikes and people in a magical mayhem. A different kind of Pentecost vibe!
8. Our BnB host offers to pick us up from town center, rather than walk the remaining 2k. We are so thankful. He is surprised we don’t want to go back into town for the festivities this evening. We just want to sit and relax… Overall today we walk 22k.