On Thursday, April 20th, we left Switzerland and entered Germany near the Black Forest. We saw a tourist sign for the town of Villingen and decided to check it out.
17th Century Cathedral
Cobblestone streets lined with shops and pubs
We stopped in the village of Calw where we did a Workaway a year and 1/2 ago to see Josef and Irene. We let them know we would be driving through to see if we could meet for coffee and they invited us for dinner. Josef made blood sausages, fresh liverwurst sausage, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes! Wow! That was awesome! After our meal Josef served us his "aprikot medicine."
We couldn't drive through Germany without stopping in Etschberg to see our German neighbors. This is Inge. She is 86 years old now. We also got to see a few others but didn't take photos. While visiting we realized we first got to Germany 20 years ago (in 1997). Erica was 11 years old and Lindsey was 8. Now we have 4 grandchildren and our oldest grandson is 11 and our next granddaugher is 8. How is that possible?
We got to see some more friends who we knew in Italy but now live in Germany. This is the Shiptons. Sandra played softball with Lindsey in 2001 when we lived in Germany and then met up with her again when we lived in Italy where they played volleyball and soccer together. It was great seeing them again too.
We toured a few old villages on Saturday. This is the "Saturday" market in Mainz.
Had to stop for a coffee and Germany's famous "apfelstrudel"
Our next stop was the town of Limburg. This cathedral dates back to the 11th century.
Over-looking the village from the cathedral
The village was lined with crooked, old, timber-style buildings
Limburg was having a small saturday market as well. Lots of fresh sausages, dried meats, cheeses and fruits and vegetables.
Our next stop was the village of Braunfels where a huge schloss overlooks the town
Climbing up to see the castle
Great scenic views everywhere we go!
We spent the night in the "Schloss Hotel" in Braunfels
Wetzler Square
This is Wetzler's Saint Mary's Cathedral dating back to the 12th century
The Lahn River in Wetzler
Our next stop was Bad Homburg. This is an Evangelical church built in 1908 called the "Church of the Redeemer."
Schlosspark
Beautiful tulips lining the walls in the park
Schlosspark gardens - this is the view of the white tower from across the pond in the garden
Our next and final stop was Frankfurt. We lived in Germany for 4 years and never toured the city of Frankfurt until today. What a great city to spend the afternoon! The photo above is in the Romerberg square.
We stopped in the square for lunch where we had fresh white asparagus soup along with brautwurst and pommes!
Above is St Bartholomew's Cathedral in Frankfurt's Alt Stadt
On Frankfurt's Old Bridge looking toward the new city
Saint Paul's Cathedral
Castle Tower in Frankfurt's Alt Stadt
Opera House
This is Germany's Stock Exchange - The DAX
We are on the Eiserner Steg Pedestrian Bridge, also known as "The Frankfurt Love Lock Bridge".
All the locks on the bridge - thousands!
Frankfurt's Main Train Station
This was our view from our hotel in Frankfurt - Overlooking the train station.
We fly back to Iceland tomorrow for 2 nights before flying back home to OK!
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