The trip is over, but I haven't given up on this thing yet! (Written by Karen)

OK, so we've been back since Sept. 21.  But that doesn't mean I can't still finish this thing.  So if you're still interested in hearing about our late, great trip, let's continue where I left off a month ago.

Tues. Aug. 31:  A Dutch Open-Air Museum, and then on to Bacharach, Germany

Before we crossed the border from the Netherlands into Germany, we stopped at Arnhem to visit a Dutch open-air museum,  which displayed antique houses, farms and factories from different parts of the Netherlands.

 

While we were there we were treated to very robust pancake lunch.  We sat at tables of four people, and we had three courses, each consisting of a pancake about the size of a large pizza, which we divided into fourths.  By the time we finished the dessert (pancake number three), we each had had the opportunity to eat the equivalent of 3/4 of one of those things.  I must say that not everyone at my table stepped up, but I certainly did!  I can't speak for Tom--he was at a different table--but I'm sure he gave it his best shot.

I wish Tom or I had thought to take a picture of one of those delectable monsters.  You'll just have to use your imagination!

At about 6PM we arrived at Bacharach, Germany, a beautiful old town on the Rhine River.  Castles, castles, everywhere-- even our hotel was in an 800-year-old castle!  And Tom and I scored the most amazing room, with views of the Rhine out one window, and the town--with yet another old castle on the hill above--out the other.  Beautiful!

Karen in front of our hotel--in a castle!

The Rhine River from our window.  And more castles.

The view out our other window: Bacharach--and a castle!

Wed. Sept. 1:  Tours of Bacharach and Rheinfels Castle

This morning we were privileged to go on a guided tour of Bacharach, led by one of its own sons, Herr Rolf Jung.  This was to be Herr Jung's last tour--at the tender age of 79 going on 80, he has decided to move on to other things.

Herr Jung grew up in Bacharach, and he shared his memories of World War II as seen through the eyes of an adolescent boy.  There were times during our tour when many of us were close to tears.

After showing us around his town, he took us on an uphill hike to a very old watchtower that has stood sentry on a hill above the town since about the 14th century.  On the way, we passed Riesling vineyards clinging to steep slopes.  The grapes are basically growing in slate rock, which apparently suits the Riesling grapes just fine.

This contraption helps harvest grapes on hills!

The view of Bacharach from the tower.

 At the end of our tour, Herr Jung read us a passage from a book called German Boy, A Child in War, which was written by an acquaintance of his, Wolfgang W. E. Samuel.  Again, misty eyes all around (in particular the lady in the lower right corner wearing the green jacket.)

To sum up, we all agreed Herr Jung is a class act.

After our Bacharach tour, we loaded into the bus and drove downriver to St. Goar.  After lunch, we were scheduled for a guided tour of Rheinfels Castle, which sits atop a hill overlooking the town.  Another uphill walk--this one a bit longer--and we arrived at the ruins of what was once a magnificant castle.  What happened to it?  Well apparently a company of Napoleon's soldiers invited themselves to stay there, enjoyed their stay very much, and then destroyed it when they left.  Yay.

 

Tom is in the green jacket behind the person in black jacket and scarf.  Daniela, our tour guide, is behind him.



View of the castle ruins from the tip top.





View of St. Goar from the tip top.

After our tour, we all boarded a boat to cruise back up the Rhine to Bacharach.

Beautiful scenery--castles, castles, castles-- remnants of feudal times.



Sharing a strudel en route.



Bacharach--you can see the tower we visited with Herr Jung just to the right of center.

Back at our hotel, Daniela invited us all to join her on the terrace to visit with a German gentleman who was very knowledgeable about German and European Union economic and social issues.  Nice evening, good wine, great conversation!

Thus ended a very busy day!