I once again set out on Denmark’s
DSB past waterways, small cities and quaint towns with small streets westward to
the large inland harbors in North Jutland past Aulum and eventually to Thisted,
practically on the North Sea and accessed to it by the Thyboron Channel. For aficionados of World War I the last
all-battleship engagement was fought there off Jutland in 1916 due west of
Thisted. The sea is only 15 miles from
the middle of town where I got a room at the Royal Hotel in Thisted’s City
Center. (It was fashionable at the time
to string colorful Danish flags across the streets in the heart of small Danish
towns.)
Since it was raining and cold, I
didn't do much except walk around town which in 1977 was small enough for the
most fatigued tourist. Denmark's towns
are small in comparison to the towns in the U.S., but they prove to have more
content; I walked about three blocks in a furious wind and rain from the center
of town and I found myself out in a pasture looking at some kids playing in a
haystack. Now, Google Maps shows a
Thisted that’s busting at the seams compared to what it used to be. At the time I noticed some of their new housing projects
off in the distance that were painted maroon and purple. In fact, in these climates in September, it
seemed colors were sharper and brighter.
I lived in Muskegon Heights,
Michigan for many summers in my youth and I could not help noticing its
similarities with Thisted: vast expanses of sand dunes, lakes, wooden boats and
ships, small harbors, a beautiful marina, and beach facilities which were unfortunately
closed because of the lateness of the season.
At the marina, which the Danes call the Thisted Sejlklub, I discovered
yet another slot machine right there on the dock. Three fishermen were mending their nets when
I tried to take a picture of them – too slow.
They were shy and turned away.
