Day 20
Today we saw more poor weather, but we also saw country #5 – France!
We awoke in the Black Forest to gray skies, which quickly turned to fog, clouds and rain as we cruised into the mountains after breakfast.
By the time we descended from the mountains into the spa town of Baden-Baden, however, the weather had cleared substantially. So we parked and walked around town for a while.
Lots of old, limping people – since the town is known for its hot springs which supposedly cure rheumatism. We walked up and down the promenade, which is a narrow park paralleling the river through town. Passed the public baths but didn’t go in. We wanted to go to the ruins of the Roman baths, but they were closed from 12-1:30 and it was about 11:45 when we got there.
So we grabbed 2 sodas at McDonald’s (1) and headed out – next stop France!
We crossed the border into the Alsace region. This time we weren’t waved through, though – there was no guard at all. Must have been lunch hour.
Picnicked by the side of the road in the car – it had begun drizzling again.
As we were driving through town we noticed many signs for pottery. So we stopped at one and since they took Deutchmarks, we bought a few things – 2 small vases, a wine pitcher and a beer mug – all for about $75 – not bad considering it was all made on the premises.
Then headed back north into Deutschland – no one at the border their either. Drove north along the German wine road – noticed in the Michelin Guide that yet another of King Ludwig’s castles was located here so we decided to drop in for a visit.
From Jill’s interpretation of the Michelin Guide, we were to ride a ski lift to the summit where the castle was located.
So we paid our 12 dm and got on in a drizzle. The view was nice from the top, but we saw no signs for the castle. So we took a path into the woods, and walked, and walked – about 20 minutes. Not much sign of a castle or anything else. So we gave up and took the lift back down.
Got out the Michelin Guide and it turns out that the lift was only for the view! We had parked about 50 feet from the castle and didn’t even know it!
So we went in the castle, which was pretty unassuming as far as castles go from the outside. Paid our 4 dm and got giant slippers to go over our shoes so we wouldn’t harm the floors.
It turned out that all they had open was one wing housing an art exhibit by some unknown (to us) painter from the early 20th century. The rest of the castle was closed! We had fun sliding around the waxed floors in our slippers, though! As we peered into the castle from outside, it looked fully restored, complete with paintings. Wonder why it was closed? A disaster all around, but comical at the time.
We are now staying at the Deidesheimer Hof hotel in Deidesheim. It is one of the Romantik Hotel “chain” of family-owned establishments, which so far seems mainly distinguished by its high price – 148 dm.
The menu looks expensive, so we’re going to walk around and find a wine bar in town (this is the wine region!) Speaking of dinner last night, I had Mexican fire soup and venison, both of which were very good. Jill had roast beef, which she liked.
Day 21 >>>
We awoke in the Black Forest to gray skies, which quickly turned to fog, clouds and rain as we cruised into the mountains after breakfast.
By the time we descended from the mountains into the spa town of Baden-Baden, however, the weather had cleared substantially. So we parked and walked around town for a while.
Lots of old, limping people – since the town is known for its hot springs which supposedly cure rheumatism. We walked up and down the promenade, which is a narrow park paralleling the river through town. Passed the public baths but didn’t go in. We wanted to go to the ruins of the Roman baths, but they were closed from 12-1:30 and it was about 11:45 when we got there.
So we grabbed 2 sodas at McDonald’s (1) and headed out – next stop France!
We crossed the border into the Alsace region. This time we weren’t waved through, though – there was no guard at all. Must have been lunch hour.
Picnicked by the side of the road in the car – it had begun drizzling again.
As we were driving through town we noticed many signs for pottery. So we stopped at one and since they took Deutchmarks, we bought a few things – 2 small vases, a wine pitcher and a beer mug – all for about $75 – not bad considering it was all made on the premises.
Then headed back north into Deutschland – no one at the border their either. Drove north along the German wine road – noticed in the Michelin Guide that yet another of King Ludwig’s castles was located here so we decided to drop in for a visit.
From Jill’s interpretation of the Michelin Guide, we were to ride a ski lift to the summit where the castle was located.
So we paid our 12 dm and got on in a drizzle. The view was nice from the top, but we saw no signs for the castle. So we took a path into the woods, and walked, and walked – about 20 minutes. Not much sign of a castle or anything else. So we gave up and took the lift back down.
Got out the Michelin Guide and it turns out that the lift was only for the view! We had parked about 50 feet from the castle and didn’t even know it!
So we went in the castle, which was pretty unassuming as far as castles go from the outside. Paid our 4 dm and got giant slippers to go over our shoes so we wouldn’t harm the floors.
It turned out that all they had open was one wing housing an art exhibit by some unknown (to us) painter from the early 20th century. The rest of the castle was closed! We had fun sliding around the waxed floors in our slippers, though! As we peered into the castle from outside, it looked fully restored, complete with paintings. Wonder why it was closed? A disaster all around, but comical at the time.
We are now staying at the Deidesheimer Hof hotel in Deidesheim. It is one of the Romantik Hotel “chain” of family-owned establishments, which so far seems mainly distinguished by its high price – 148 dm.
The menu looks expensive, so we’re going to walk around and find a wine bar in town (this is the wine region!) Speaking of dinner last night, I had Mexican fire soup and venison, both of which were very good. Jill had roast beef, which she liked.
Day 21 >>>
