things i have learned

4 cents from jim------there are a lot of things I have learned so far----
#1-the french yell at you when you get in their way---the italians yell at you before you get in their way--and the germans just go 120 mph so you never get in their way
#2 the french never smile at americans
#3 the french have small dogs --germans have big dogs
#4there are a lot of churches in europe
#5 the catholics spend more money on their churches than the lutherans
#6all churches are cool and quiet and a good place to sit
#7 churches are usually in the center of the town and are still in the center of their lives---maybe we should do that---
#8 three months is a long time
#9 you never hit your thumb if you don't have a hammer
#10and you never say never
mit mein luf to yuf all--jim

Dinkelsbuhl

Today was an easy, not do too much day. We had a nice breakfast and then drove into Dinkelsbuhl. Did the usual go to the information office and get a map of the city. We walked around the town looking in the shops and hitting the highlights of the historical buildings. We found another St. George's church--again very beautiful. Money to build these huge buildings didn't seem to be a problem back in the Medieval times. They all are very ornate and there are, sometimes, two or three in the bigger cities. We are now seeing more Lutheran churches, too. After our walk, we sat and had a cup of coffee and a sweet roll--yum, yum!!! Came back to the hotel(it's outside the city in a small village--I included a picture. It's the yellow building with me in front). After playing on the computer some more, we took a drive to look for a place to stay for the next 4 or 5 days. Great ride over the rolling hills and into small villages. Tonight is dinner here at the hotel.

I'm sure you're wondering if we ever wash our clothes--since all the pictures show us wearing the same things!! We packed very light and wash often. In our last hotel, Frau Plank let me use her washing machine and I hung everything on the line outside. It was great!! I think, however, these clothes can be burned when we get home!!

I know I've mentioned flowers before, but the German's just love their flowers and gardens. They are in every yard and are gorgeous. I included a pictue of one and have no idea what it is, but we both liked it.

Nordlingen and Schloss Baldern

This morning we checked out of the castle and Siegfried picked us up to drive to Nordlingen. It is a walled city with a walkway on top of the wall. It has a river running on the outside of the wall and a smaller stream running on the inside of the wall. I've attached a picture of the walkway--interesting to look down on the houses from the 1500's that are being lived in today. Lots of these homes have their own little garden with vegetables and flowers. We walked to the city center and visited St. George's church and then walked the streets backed to our car. We had a delicious Bavarian lunch and then, headed for Schloss Baldern--a true castle and the family that owns it also owned the one we stayed in last night. Siegfried dropped us back at our car and we said good-bye. We can't thank him enough for taking us under his wing and showing us the important sights of the area. He is so knowledgeable of all the historic sights. Many, many thanks, Siegfried!!!

We are now in a small town north of Wallerstein in a place called Sinbronn. We have a great room that includes breakfast and internet. I'll be on the computer all night!!!

Modern Technology from a Medieval Castle

I'm typing on my computer in Harburg Castle, an 800 year old complex!! We arrived here this morning at 9:00 AM and checked-in. We met our new friend Siegfried Schuster out front and then had a tour of the grounds. Now, you have heard of the "small world" thingy, well, this one is an extremely small world. I kept looking at this woman on the tour and I said to Jim she looks just like the mail lady from our house in Waterford, Michigan. And I thought to myself there is no way it could be her. Then, I looked at her jacket and it said U.S. Postal Service!!! It was her!!!--can't remember her name. All the way from Michigan to a small castle town in Germany--would would have thought???? She is in Germany to attend a nephew's confirmation. Anyway, the castle is an amazing place--to think this was constructed so long ago and is still being used. Our hotel room is in the turret portion of the castle and is very modern. We left here about 10:00 in Siegfried's car and traveled to Rain where we had lunch and walked around the town. The city is hosting a flower show which starts on Friday in their big city park. The sponsor of the show is Dehner Nurseries--a gigantic company that sells amazing flowers. We walked through the park and then we were back on the road to Donaworth to look at several churches--each very unique from the rest and OLD!

We are pooped! Siegfried will be back at 9:00 in the morning to takes us to Nordlingen, a walled Medieval town on the Romantic Road. We will be traveling north on the Road late tomorrow afternoon in search of our next hotel.

Regensburg, Germany

Sorry it took so long to post again. We are staying in guesthouse that does not have internet connection. It's a small town called Mainburg. Today, we are in Regensburg, another old town with lots of churches and old buildings. I'm in the city library at the moment and struggling with a German keyboard, so excuse the typos.

We toured Salzburg in one day. It was ok. Not as interesting as we thought it would be. We went up to the fortress(thanks, Kathy and Jeff for the tip) and enjoyed that, walked around town, went in an old church, that was beautiful. We ended up taking a boat ride--not so good.

We left Salzburg on Sunday and drove to Hitler's Documentation center and bunkers. We were there about 2 hours--listening to the history of Hitler's rise to power and seeing his underground bunker system. There are 4 miles of this underground enclave. Mind boggling how one man could wield so much power over the people.

We arrived at our Gasthouse about 4:00 pm and visited with the owner, Frau Plank. Great lady who owns this huge house with apartments and rooms. We have an apartment!! Jim was so excited that he could have bacon and egg for breakfast. We can cook!! Never thought I' enjoy sazing that.

Tomorrow we travel to Warburg Castle for a tour and spend the night in the castle. We meet a friend of a friend named Siegfried who will be with us for the day, along with his wife Magadelena. We will then be on the Romantic Road head North. Bavaria is lovely. Rolling hills and farm land.

Sorry no pictures today. I'm on a librarz computer--pictures are on my laptop.#
Will try tomorrow.