Amsterdam: Windmills are on my mind . . .

"Holland is a place where the broad ocean leans against the land." ~ Oliver Goldsmith

There are 1,000 windmills located across the Dutch country side.  Beginning in the 12th century Windmills became the chief source of power. With windmills farmers could harness wind power to crush seeds and grind grain, but their main purpose was to drain the land of water (half of Holland is below sea level). By draining the water farmers created fertile farmland and helped in Holland's long battle against flooding. 

While in Amsterdam I want to be able to visit a few windmills. I was surprised to learn that there are 8 working windmills located just in the outskirts of the city (Google Maps of all 8 Windmills).   The De Gooyer and Riekermolen windmills are at the top of my list.  At the De Gooyer Windmill there's a cool Brewery.  I wonder if they serve root beer?  And did you know that Rembrandt himself was said to have sat and sketched at the Rikermolen windmill.  Cool!

Further afield there is a delightful dutch village called The Zaanse Schans. This village is located on the banks of the river Zaan and is a replica of a typical Zaanse village of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Here I will find these charming green wooden houses, with gardens, small bridges, cute little shops and historic windmills. It is only a 20 minute (4 stop) train ride from Centraal Station in Amsterdam.  Very cool!

A circle in a spiral

A wheel within a wheel

Never ending or beginning

On an ever spinning wheel

As the images unwind

Like the circle that you find

In the windmills of your mind

~ from "Windmills in your Mind"
Alan and Marilyn Bergman (lyrics)
Michael Lengrand (music)