We are spending our last week in Europe on our old stomping grounds of Ramstein Air Base and Etschberg. After almost 3 months in Europe it felt pretty good to be back on a little bit of American soil (in Germany!)
Coming through the main gate of Ramstein
New Ramstein Hotel. This isn't really "new", but it wasn't here when we were stationed at Ramstein. There is also a nice B-X, large shopping center, and movie theater.
We are staying with our friends (who were our Landlords) Werner (pronounced Vanna) and Gabi Theiss. This is the view of Remigiusberg Castle from their balcony.
These are our neighbors Edgar and Hedi; our kids spent many days in their house. Such great people live in this village!
This is a photo of Inge and Emil. Emil is not with us anymore, but Inge is and gave us this picture.
Emil has been gone for 2 1/2 years, but Inge is doing well
Werner reading the paper
This was our old house. There were no tenents living in it so we were able to see inside.
This is a bird house Werner made for his garden
On Tuesday we took a drive to the Mosel River. Below are many views along the way.
We drove along the Mosel from Mehring to Traben-Trarbach and stopped to get a run in
We had lunch in the village of Traben
We drove up through the vineyards and even got to taste some of the left over grapes
On Tuesday evening we met up with a few of Linda's friends from where she worked while we were in Germany. Good food, great friends!
On Friday, November 13th, we drove the Rhine River from Bingen to Saint Goar to see some familar sights and a few castles.
This is the village of Saint Goar on the Rhine
Schonburg Castle
View of the Rhine River from Schonburg Castle
Village of Oberwesel
Kranenturm Hotel in Bacharach. We stayed in this "Tower Hotel" 16 years ago while stationed in Germany.
We took a ferry across the river from Bingen to Rudesheim
Had to stop for our favorite dessert of Apfelstrudel and cappuccino
Rudesheim is one of our favorite villages in Germany
They were getting ready for their Weihnachtsmarkt
On Saturday afternoon we went for a run on one of the many paths through the forest
We came across these Scottish Highland bulls
Just a few of the many meals and cakes we ate this week. This is why we have to keep running! The top left photo is kasekuchen from Hedi and the top right photo is Gabi's apfelkuchen!
Dinner with our good friends Karin and Winfred Rech. They also live in Etschberg.
We had such a good time this week in Etschberg.
Many thanks to our host, Werner and Gabi Theiss.
We leave Germany in the morning to start our journey back home for the holidays.
Until next time...
