Rhein River Cruise

Another adventure while my aunt & uncle were here - a day trip down the Rhein River.  Daniel even took leave and was able to come with us.  We got up, made a pit stop at the bakery in our village {quickly becoming a habit of ours on weekends & before trips!} & headed towards Bingen.

 

We were able to purchases tickets on the spot for a round trip ride from Bigen all the way to St. Goar through the Bingen-Rudesheimer company.  There were so many companies to choose from, but we were very satisfied with our choice.  Large, clean boat, cold beverages & information on the castles we passed in English.

 

 

Ruine Furstenberg

 

Ruine Ehrenfels

 

 

 

 

 

Pfalz Castle. Built by the Bavarian King Ludwig.

 

Thought this was a cute little railroad tunnel.

 

Could not have asked for a nicer day or better company.

 

 

After about an hour and 45 minutes we reached St. Goar.  We disembarked the boat and headed to find food.  We ate lunch at a cute café right on the water.  Did some shopping and hiked towards Burg Rheinfels.

 



 

 

Burg Rheinfels, St. Goar

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven't caught on to my love of ice cream yet, you haven't been paying attention.  Every good trip involves ice cream. Or in this case, the closest thing we could find - gelato.  I sort of blame my grandfather.  Growing up, any time we visited their house - we had ice cream. Any holiday - we had ice cream.  Sunday dinner - we had ice cream. Dinner - ice cream.  Thanks for kindling my love of ice cream Granddad.  I love you.  

 

After wondering around the town for a few hours we walked back towards the dock to board for our return trip home.

 

Toot.  Toot.

 

 

The ride back, going against the current, took us closer to two and a half hours vs. the hour and 45 minute trip there.  For this reason and the fact that you see all of the same sights on the way back that you did on the way there, I think in the future I would opt for taking the train back to Bingen. 

 

 

Thanks for being willing to adventure with us Aunt Tammy & Uncle Deane!  Already looking forward to our next visit.

 

Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest

The Stuttgart Spring Festival, known as Frühlingsfest in German is an annual fair that takes place in Stuttgart {about two hours from where we live} between the middle of April & the beginning of May.  This year, it took place the beginning of May & we were there, dressed in our finest!  The festival takes place on the Cannstatter Wasen fairgrounds.  Since the trains were still on strike, instead of riding the train like we did for the fall fest, Daniel & I rode with our neighbors and split up the four hour round trip.

Frühlingsfest is slightly smaller than the festival we attended here in the fall, BUT we did learn that it is the largest spring festival in Europe.  The Germans take their fests very seriously.

Since I still haven't purchased a dirndl of my own my friend & neighbor, the beautiful Andrea Cooper let me barrow one of hers.  Still have to do a little work convincing Daniel to wear lederhosen.  I haven't given up yet. We still have two years of fests to attend.
 

Eine große Deutsch Brezel

Kaesespaetzle - warm, cheesy deliciousness.

The tallest attraction at the fair was the 47 meter Ferris wheel.  Daniel & I opted to go find some crepes while Andrea & Brendon rode the monster.  I don't do well with heights.  Another successful German experience.

Thanks for continuing to show us the ropes.  Always a good time.  Can't wait for our trip to Barcelona!!

Heidelberg mit meinem Onkel und Tante

I was very excited when my Aunt Tammy sent me a Facebook message several months ago, telling me they were in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Germany.  Germany - my now home!  And about two weeks ago . . .   they arrived.  Our first house guests here in Germany.  I was so excited to have them here.  They have had several adventures on their own in Berlin & Paris, and a few with us... including many German dinners at some of our favorite local spots.  It's been fun playing tour guide in a country we've come to love & appreciate in so many ways.  

Our first adventure entailed a trip to the famous Heidelberg Castle.  One of my friends also joined us for the day {loved it!}.  Heidelberg is a quick drive, just over an hour from our Village.  We thought about taking the train in for an even easier trip, but it just so happened that the German trains were on strike that week.  Mine Auto it was.

  

When we emerged from the underground packing garage, we turned around and BAM, there was the castle, sitting high on the hill above us. Thanks to some research my Aunt Tammy had done, we were able to learn that our 6 Euro Castle ticket was also good for a round trip tram ride up to the castle.  Something Daniel and I did not know the first time we visited Heidelberg.  Instead, we ventured up the extremely steep hill on foot, never knowing that not only did the tram existed, but that it was INCLUDED with our Castle Ticket.

The tram to the top of the hill.  No 45 degree incline for us.  

  

Aren't they cute?!  So much fun having them here.

Thanks for joining us Karis.  Getting to know you & becoming friends has been a huge answer to prayer.  Can't wait for our adventures in Poland in July !

The barrel Karis & I are standing in front of is not even the largest barrel there.  Just a little baby in comparison.  The world's largest wine barrel {yes, you read that right - world's LARGEST} build in 1751 is pictured below.

Let me give you some perspective   . . . you can't see the stairs in this picture, but we had to climb dozens of stairs to walk around/over the barrel.  The entire thing was seriously larger than the entire downstairs of our home.  

Church of the Holy Spirit. 

Inside the church.

Climbing & climbing AND climbing to the top of the church tower.  So. many. stairs.

  

View from the top.  We could walk completely around the steeple.  360 degree view of the city.  

The Carl Theodor, "Old Bridge"

After crossing the bridge, we hiked Philosopher's Way.  This is the view about mid-way up the steep hill leading to the thought-provoking path.  We found a nice spot with some stone benches & set down to enjoy the views & much needed breeze beginning to blow across the water.

We hiked back down, did a little more exploring, stopped in at one of the two gummy bear shops and then hit the road.  Thankfully, we didn't hit much traffic on the drive home.  Day well spent.