Week Two - Germany

Arrived in Frankfurt - with luggage to explore a new, for me, part of Germany - The Black Forest.  I had been to the Frankfurt numerous times, but never left the airport. Years ago, London and Frankfurt were the only direct flights to Europe from Denver. Now we are lucky to have so many other direct flights out of Denver. I guess that means we are no longer considered a "cow town".

Picked up the car and got my first experience driving on the Autobahn. Let's just say I stayed out of the left hand lane and did not break any speed records.

First stop - Baden Baden - one of the oldest towns in Germany and known as the "summer capital of Europe". During the days of the Roman Empire it was already known for the therapeutic properties of its' waters. The colonnaded Trinkhalle is decorated with beautiful wall paintings portraying Black Forest legends. After many twists and turns through a maze of old and narrow streets, I finally found the funicular to the top of Mount Merker to take in the views of the city. Then it was on to the ruins of The Altes Schloss, a 12th century castle.

After two nights in Baden Baden it was on to spend three nights in Zeiskam at the Zeiskamer Muhle, a country-style hotel and restaurant in a former mill. Here from the balcony one could see deer in the meadows and watch a pair of juvenile storks getting ready to head South for the first time - their parents having left the week before. Spent the day meandering through a lot of small towns in Germany and France.

The second day in this area, the focus was Heidelberg Castle, which rises majestically over the town of the same name. Found a tiny parking space, somehow got the car wedged in and began the long steep climb up to the castle ruins. At the top we took a funicular down into the town square to walk around - turns out most people use the funicular to get to the castle - oh well. Enjoyed some people watching at a street side café, and a parade of weddings going on at the hotel across the way.

The third day in this area was rainy, so we went to the Technik Museum in Speyer, filled with an amazing collection of planes and trains and cars. I was in heaven, so many great automobiles - the Karmann Ghia made the cut since it brought back great memories of my baby blue convertible in college - oh how I loved that car. Followed the Rhine back to the hotel, stopping in Germersheim for an early dinner. Sixty plus years ago, this was one of the US Army's bridge building facilities after World War Two.  Felt lucky to find a place open, it seems everything pretty much closes up on Sundays in these small towns.

On Monday it was time to move on again, this time to Darmstadt. Spent two nights at the Hotel Jagdschloss Kranichstein in a hunting castle that was started in 1580, with numerous renovations and additions. Restoration began in 1988 and it was re-opened as a hotel in 1998. While in Darmstadt we visited the Odenwald Castle.

Got packed up and early the next morning headed to Frankfurt for some sightseeing. Took advantage of the Hop On/Hop Off bus tours since there was only one day to explore. Driving in large cities can be difficult, even when using a GPS, but so much easier than doing it in Ireland on the other side of the road.

Checked into the last hotel for this trip and decided to drop the car back at the airport before dinner. It was going to be an early morning and a long flight (10 1/2 hours)  back to Denver.  Made it home with my luggage!