Leeuwarden

This is a bridge located in Bartlehiem which shows all the people who have completed the 199 KM 11-City skating race. The race starts and ends in Leeuwarden. The race goes through 11 cities in Friesland. The race is dependent on the weather which must be cold enough to create 6 inches of ice. There have been 15 races since 1909. The last race was 1997. The fastest time is 7 hours but depends on the weather. The worst conditions occurred in 1963 when the temperature was -20 C and only 69 of 10,000 entrants completed the course. Today, the entrants are limited to 20,000. Winners get a medal.

Here you can see the pictures of each racer that are on delft blue tiles. Elder Wilcken and Maughan are standing with Sister Everton.



Elder Wilcken is trying to point to the tile with the picture of Prince Willem-Alexander of the royal family who in 1986 entered and finisthed the race with an assumed name.



This is a monument to commemorate the first baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Netherlands. Last October there was a commemoration for the 150 year anniversary. Sorry I look so cold, the temperature was 20 degrees Fahrenheit with a strong wind.

This tree is full of Mistletoe.



This is a something that you see only in Friesland. The swans symbolize a married couple because they mate for life. The wood between the swans is the makelaar (mediator).




We saw many beautiful homes as we traveled the country side.



On the way home, we went over the Afsluitdijk. It was nice to see the sun.