September 24th, 2016

Happy Fall! Leaves are changing and falling in the streets, there is a crispness in the air and still plenty of sunshine. We love Autumn! Hopefully, it will last as LONG as possible. Please…

Summer in Germany was wonderful! I’m thankful for how it balanced out the grey/rainy winter and helped to replenish our vitamin D. As summer was wrapping up, our backyard pool continued to get good use. The boys figured out how to make a wave pool by one of them shaking the side while the other rode the waves with their goggles on! Adi checked out the pool, standing up on her hind legs. However, she had NO INTENTIONS of taking a dip!

 

They also loved doing a run and jump move into the pool. Here’s a quick video of S perfecting his Superman moves!

Our last weekend before school started for E, we added a few new experiences to our memories. On Saturday, we drove to the Kurpfalz-Park in Wachenheim. This park, like others we have experienced in Europe, seemed to put the emphasis on play and not purchasing. We didn’t see kiosks around each ride or attraction selling toys, trinkets and souvenirs. Instead, there was one gift shop near the exit. Also, though we found a couple of food stands, many visitors brought their own food. Large areas were set aside with picnic tables and outside grills for guests to use.

With a park that emphasizes play, we found plenty of opportunities to do JUST THAT!

Warthog greetings and funny mirrors

 

Slides…

 

Motorcycles and Swan Rides

 

The Kurpfalz-Coaster

S especially LOVED this ride we individually controlled with brakes. We were pulled up on rails and then released at the top to control our ride down. Of course, Daddy gave more of a thrill ride than Mama! E was pretty adamant about not riding but later let Mama talk him into it. The last picture is with him and the view ahead as we were taking our slow ascent. He really liked it too and wanted to go again!

 

 

The AWESOME playgrounds (of course!)

 

 

  

The Bumper Boats

 

The Petting Zoo and Wildlife

 

The Bird Show

We sat under a large tree in an open field and watched eagles, hawks, falcons and other surprising fowl do various tricks. This bird, with the trainer, was one of the stars of the show!

Walking/Running the Maze

Even on a hot day, this park was fun for all!

On Sunday afternoon, we drove to our landlords’ home in another village for lunch. Their adult son, Florian, was home this summer from college and they wanted to have us over for a barbecue and some extended time to spend together. They are such kind-hearted people! We spent hours in their backyard. They have a small garden house, complete with a covered porch. This is separate from their main home. The German meal they prepared for us was DELICIOUS!!!

The boys LOVED their pond filled with large goldfish. The fish, Fabian’s tool sharpening lesson, and the remote controlled fountain kept the boys pretty entertained for hours. E did try to pet one of the fish and fell in, thus the costume change in the photos. He got to wear one of Fabian’s shirts!

 

 

We have heard horror-stories about landlords. Thankfully, we have experienced both kindness and prompt attention to the requests we bring before them. They are thoughtful with the boys, enjoy teaching us about German culture and share their lives with us. Our afternoon barbecue was a sweet way to end our summer vacation before school started. We are so grateful for them and the home they rent to us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 16th, 2016

On a cloudy Saturday in mid-August, we grabbed our rain coats and drove to the quintessential city of Heidelberg.  Being one of the few German cities that survived World War II, Heidelberg’s history is preserved within its architecture. It is home to the oldest university in Germany (founded in 1386), a medieval castle, a late-Gothic church and a wonderful Altstadt (old town). We only spent an afternoon there, but left with a wonderful taste of this lovely city.

After finding a parking garage that we hoped was somewhat close to the downtown area, we took off on foot. We walked through a part of the university grounds on our way to the Altstadt. Here is a short video showing our youngest in classic form!

We strolled along the main pedestrian walkway, enjoying little window displays. It didn’t take long for us to find a café that served both kaffee und eis (coffee and ice cream). A great combination for our family!

 

Fueled up and caffeinated, we were back on our feet! Our next stop was the Heiliggeistkirche, (Church of the Holy Spirit). Per our tradition, we lit candles and prayed. Something unique about this church was its Prayer Wall. A nearby table had colorful pieces of paper and pens available for visitors to write out prayers and then affix their papers to the wall. What a beautiful visual of the words spoken through the hearts of so many.

 

Our boys both added their own prayers. E wrote his out while little S dictated to his Daddy his prayer. Love!

 

 

The church was beautiful! It dated back to 1398. It has been used by both Catholics and Protestants, sometimes simultaneously when a partition was inserted allowing both congregations to hold their services without disturbing each other.

 

 

The Marktplaz (Market Square) was just outside the church. Several vendors had souvenir stands set up to allure tourists. We are learning to navigate these ongoing traps a little better with the boys. Sometimes, we simply avoid the stalls all together. However, this summer, we started our allowance system which is divided into three categories: giving, spending, and savings. Now, if the boys want a souvenir, they get to use their own money to purchase it. It’s amazing how this seems to curtail their desires for just anything. Go figure! While I was waiting for one of them to make up his mind on a purchase, I saw this sign with my Dad’s name. It made me smile!

Here are a few more of the surrounding sites…standing in front of the Rathaus (where the city council meets), a restaurant that reminded me of my PopPop, and Schloss Heidelberg looking over the city.

 

We walked up a steep, cobbled-stone road to Schloss Heidelberg. We heard there was some sort of funicular (a railway on a cliff) but missed the entrance and instead made it up to the castle on foot. About half-way up, the boys began to lose steam. Snacks always help!

 

The views from the top were beautiful! The building with the tall dome in the second picture is the church of the Holy Spirit with the prayer wall. We paid our admission fee and explored the castle (circa 1214).

 

 

We walked down to the wine cellar and saw the world’s largest wine barrel called the Heidelberg Tun. It was built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor to house the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers of the Palatine. Its seven meters high (22.9659 feet), and eight and a half meters wide (27.8871 feet). It holds 220,000 liters (58,124 gallons) of wine!  We walked up stairs to the dance floor built on top of it.

 

We also walked through the Pharmacy Museum. We took a sniff test of various herbal treatments in a children’s display.

It started to rain but that doesn’t seem to faze people here. Out come the umbrellas!

 

 

On our walk back down, we passed the funicular. “So, that’s where it was!” On foot, we miss things but also unexpectedly come across some wonderful places. I love traveling with these feet alongside mine!

This kid’s park was one of those fun finds. The boys REALLY wanted to take the slide but the rain was coming down hard, we didn’t have a change of clothes and still needed to eat dinner somewhere. Our alternate route across rope bridges was still a treat!

 

We ate a delicious dinner in the Marktplatz. Our clothes dried as we dined. Eating out at a quiet restaurant felt a little easier that evening with the boys. We timed their hunger and exhaustion just right! We walked back to our car with full tummies and relatively dry clothes. Of course, the boys managed to find every rain puddle on the walk back to the parking garage. I need to be on the lookout for rain boots this Fall!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 11th, 2016…Our 17th Wedding Anniversary!

Back in March, S found a picture of an AWESOME park in a newspaper and showed it to me. There was an article written in German that went along with the picture. The one thing I could understand was the location: Deidesheim. I ripped out the article and put it away in a folder I keep for places to visit…someday.

On August 13th, we boarded a train to Deidesheim. Not only was it a beautiful day to check out that park, there was also a wine festival going on. We hadn’t been to a wine festival before but had been to this quaint town last winter for a Christmas festival. We figured there would be something for everyone to enjoy.

The boys received a “ticket” from the train attendant who validates these fun little drawings with the date they were riding the train. Children often ride for free and don’t have their own tickets to show the attendants when they walk the aisles checking. Now they do!

As usual, the park did not disappoint! We are continually impressed with the thought and creativity put into creating children’s playgrounds. Europeans definitely seem to foster playtime for kids! This park had an outdoor workout area for adults alongside the climbing structures, sand pits, and crazy slides. Mein Mann knocked our five-year old’s socks off when he conquered one of the climbing poles and reached the top. If you click on the picture, you can zoom in and see his expression!

 

 

After enjoying a picnic lunch at the park, we navigated the roads on foot to the wine festival. We passed some fun sights along the way.

 

The wine festival was held in the Altstadt (old town). This fountain commemorates a medieval story/tradition from Deidesheim’s history. It has something to do with a peace-offering of a goat from the neighboring town of Lambrecht. The goat is delivered each year by the youngest married couple in Lambrecht. In exchange, the couple receives a “kasebrot” (a piece of bread with cheese) and a good “swallow” of the famous Deidesheim wine. Notice the German man behind me riding the goat!

We enjoyed walking around, stopping for food and wine and walking some more.

 

 

Here’s a short video clip I took as we were strolling through the streets…

Many of the altstadts that we have visited have pedestrian walking zones which gives them a more relaxed feel. We still need to step aside for cyclists though!

 

Marching Bands, jugglers in the streets and carnival rides added to the festive feel.

 

 

Near the rides, we passed this sign. I think it went with one of the games because “Sammeln Sie” translates to “collect them.” Here’s a little German lesson for the day. The pictures and words depict family members…father, mother, son and daughter.

E got his customary hotdog for dinner. He would eat them three times a day if we let him! The rest of us branched out a bit with the culinary options. We shared a German dessert called Dampfnudel. It’s a steam fried dumpling that resembles a sweet bread roll. We ate ours with vanilla sauce. Yum! It was recently featured as the challenge on the show, The Great British Bake Off. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37306054/great-british-bake-off-what-is-dampfnudel-and-why-is-everyone-obsessed)

 

I’m glad S found the article about the park in the newspaper! If you know of interesting places to visit here in Germany, we would love to hear them. My Mom recently sent me a newspaper clipping from her home paper with a suggestion. Thanks Mom! We are all ears and I’ll add your ideas to our travel folder. =)

Auf Wiedersehen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 10th, 2016

We have been a one car family for almost a year now. Living in a village with a train station has helped tremendously! Mein Mann purchased a year train/bus pass for our region for his daily commute. He has become quite familiar with riding the rails and navigating public transportation with the help of an App. on his phone. One evening, the boys and I walked to the train station to meet Daddy on his commute home. It was fun to greet him when he stepped off the train!

 

Though hubby is getting quite proficient at riding the train, I still feel like a newbie. I have yet to take the train by myself or with just the boys. However, back in August, I rode the train three days in a row. Since I wasn’t alone, they all felt like practice sessions but the cumulative effect was a confidence boost. Mein Mann also added the train App. to my phone which is a big help too!

One morning, Amy and I decided to venture with our boys to the Dino Park by train. We had five boys, three bikes, one scooter and a push bike/stroller. We were Super Moms in Action!

 

I was so proud of us when we made it to the Dino Park after catching our connecting train downtown. This was no small feat! Everyone was excited as we approached the entrance. Then, to our utter sadness, we were turned away at the gate. Turns out, you can’t take bikes into the park. What??!! No!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are the Super Moms feeling not so super anymore.

 

We let the boys play at a little playground nearby before we caught the next train back. On the way home, we misread where to catch our connection and had the crazy adventure of going up and down flights of stairs at the train station, carrying bicycles and shuttling children. We hustled and boarded our next train just in time without loosing any of the boys. Phew! Though our trip wasn’t a success, it taught me a few more tidbits about riding the train while making a new memory with my friend. “Hey Amy, remember that time that we took five boys, three bikes, one scooter and a push bike/stroller on the train?”  

The following evening, our family hopped on the train to go to an Italian festival at the Dino Park. When we walked in, massive flower pots were filled with blooms of every color. The yellow daisies were my favorite. Gorgeous!

 

It was a perfect summer evening to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, listen to music, eat Flammkuchen (flat bread pizza), and mingle amongst the locals.

 

 

 

Many families brought picnic baskets and ate a home cooked feast.

 

A few hours later, we caught the train back home.

 

The next morning, we boarded the train again for another adventure that I’ll write about in my next blog post. Riding a train still feels like such a novelty. Then again, so does getting to live in Europe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 9th, 2016

Fall is in the air! Though the days are still warm, the nights are cooling off and the leaves are starting to change colors. I’m still working on trying to catch up on our summer adventures here on the blog. I need to work on my editorial skills because there is just sooo many pictures and so little time. =)

The last Sunday before Terri left, the two of us went on a Genusswanderfung Im Zauberwald which translates to “a Relaxing Hike in the Magic Forest.” I came across a little advertisement in our village newspaper of this event. The pictures caught my eye so I used my Google Translator to learn more. It was a culinary hike involving five food stations, a lovely trail and over 100 various sculptors carved out of natural elements. Count us in!

Mein Mann was more than happy to relax at home with the boys after our Koblenz trip the day before, so Terri and I headed out with our GPS and the little newspaper clipping in attempts to find it…not always an easy feat. Thankfully, we managed to park right at the start. We followed the signs to the forest and the first food station. Time for lunch!

 

 

Then, off we went into the woods. At first, we stopped where others were gathered and noticed a woodland creature or two. Then we started finding them with our own eyes. It was like a scavenger hunt along the trail. We had to keep our eyes peeled or we would walk right by one.

 

 

 

The trees were watching us!

 

There were also very artistic creations. Can you see the man holding the child carved into the bark in the second photo below?

 

There was even a nativity scene with the three wise men and the shepherds nearby.

 

We stopped at another food station for a snack of magic fries and apfelschorle (apple juice with mineral water) before finishing the 5 kilometer loop. We both enjoyed the hike immensely!

I’ve been told the art work stays in the forest year-round. Next time, I’ll bring Mein Mann and the boys. We can pack a few treats and enjoy our own culinary hike!

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 26th, 2016

During Terri’s visit, we drove to the ancient city of Koblenz to see the Deutsches Eck and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Also known as the “German Corner,” the Deutsches Eck is the name of the headland where the Rhine meets the Moselle River. Dating back to 8 BC, Koblenz was one of the military posts established by the Roman politician and military commander, Claudius Drusus.

We hit the jackpot with beautiful weather that day. Summer in Germany can be a real treat with the blue skies, warm sun and low humidity. One of the benefits of the rain is the lovely gardens and the lush green everywhere!

 

After finding parking, we followed the Mossel River as we walked to the Deutsches Eck. Along the way, we passed cruise ships and a monument containing three sections of the Berlin wall.

 

You can’t miss the Deutsches Eck! It is marked by a colossal equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I. The original statue, erected by the Rhine provinces in 1897, was destroyed by US artillery in WWII. The one we saw was the replacement. We climbed up the stairs to take in the view. Don’t worry Mom, the boys were not sitting on the horse…just my shoulders! =)

 

 

 

The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress sits on the opposite side of the Rhine. To get to this fortress built back in the early 1800’s, we rode by cable car over the Rhine river. What a fun way to travel, if you don’t mind heights and enclosed areas!

 

 

The fortress is massive! Due to our limited time on our parking meter, we only had about an hour to walk around and see a few of the sites.

 

 

Our favorite was a hands-on exhibit where we got to dress up in costumes. The armor was heavier than we expected. Knights must have had very strong necks!

 

 

The view from the top was beautiful! You can actually see the difference in color between the two rivers.

 

We traveled back down again by cable car, filled up our parking meter again and strolled around Koblenz on foot to take in a few more sites.

 

The boys begged to take their shoes off and play for a few minutes in one of the fountains we found. The setting was a perfect place to sit back and relax while we watched them enjoy themselves. We eventually moved on before they got TOO wet!

 

 

We came across a fountain in the Altstadt (old town) depicting the city’s history with a sign explaining the different time periods. The Roman settlement, the Crusades, times of prosperity, the French Revolution and WW II are a few of the sections artistically displayed.

 

We stopped in a café and ordered a few coffee drinks for the adults. When I asked the barista if he had any flavors to add, he told me that Starbucks has ruined coffee with their flavors. Their coffee didn’t need any additional flavors. He turned out to be right…to my surprise!

 

We liked these tables and benches outside a restaurant we passed by…perhaps a home project some day.

 

Koblenz definitely gets two thumbs up!