Now for the vacation. Normally, we try to do a family vacation once a year for around a week. This time, though, due to Wayne not having any extra vacation, we had to squeeze it all into just two days, but we did make the most of it and had a wonderful time.
We started out at 7:30 AM for the one destination on our List of Places to See Before We Go Back that our youngest requested: Europa Park. It was a really great park and was a cross between something like Carowinds (or a small Six Flags, for those not from the Carolinas) and Epcot. Actually, it was kinda amusing how many things in the park were somewhat like a Disney park. It featured many different European countries with appropriately themed rides, for the most part.
Park entrance
Looks suspiciously like the big ball at Epcot. Inside, is a ride very similar to Space Mountain - a roller coaster in the dark.
Despite my hopes that the "common" language for Europa Park would be English, the only two languages featured were German and French. Since the park is on the border between the two countries, I guess I should have known. We got a kick out of this sign, though, that in English means "Antique Car Drive."
The ride in "Switzerland" - the Bobsled Run. Parts of this went over a set of icy pipes without being attached to a track - thrilling indeed!
This was in "Russia" and definitely had the feel of the "It's a Small World" ride at Disney. The kids were mortified that we went on it, but there was no line, and it was a chance to sit down. :-)
The last ride of the day (after many others that we didn't take pictures of) was the Log Flume ride in "Austria."
A little damp and a lot of fun!
That evening, we stayed in the hotel where hubby and I first came to Germany in a town called Rottweil on the edge of the Black Forest. There, we met an old friend and had dinner with him. It was great seeing him again! We will most likely get together again with him in November. I am really looking forward to that.
The next morning, we had a nice breakfast at the hotel, and then set out for the many sites of the day. Our first place was Triberg, a town in the middle of the Black Forest that is known for a couple of biggests and highests I have previously featured in my blog. Our first stop in Triberg, though, was to the House of 1000 Clocks, where after a 2 hour debate, we finally got our one big momento that we wanted to bring back from Germany - a cuckoo clock. It is said that if it weren't for the American tourists, though, these clocks would long ago be extinct. Just like going to Neuschwanstein, Germans see it only as a tourist item, and personally don't buy these clocks. But for us, it is something special, particularly since we found one with a working hiker on it to represent all the good times we have had hiking here.
After the clock store, we went to the highest waterfall in Germany. It is actually a series of cascades that goes for quite a distance. There is also some debate as to whether this is indeed the highest, or if a more remote one is higher, but since the sign says it (in a tourist area,) it must be right, no? At any rate, it is a beautiful fall, none the less, and the trails up it were easy to climb.
Along the main entry way into the falls area
A view of the falls at the lower end
Views up the falls and the many paths that cross over it
Kids (all three of them) at another site along the falls
View from the top to the valley across the way - very nice
One of the bier gartens at the entry to the falls
The spot we chose to take in the scenery and have that all important piece of Black Forest cake
Boy did he enjoy this!
After touring the town, we headed a little north (by about 5 minutes) to come to the world's largest cuckoo clock. I wrote about this back in September. The clock is a working clock with an actual cuckoo that comes out, and it is the entire front of the whole building. The brown wood item below the clock is the part that swings back and forth underneath a clock. And it does swing, but the kids pointed out that it took more time than two seconds to go back and forth.
After Triberg, we decided to fit one more item into the day - a drive over to another castle that is actually complete with furniture and jewels, etc. on display. The castle is Castle Hohenzollern. This particular castle has seen ruin twice before. The current castle is the third one to sit on the site. It is of the Royal Family Hohenzollern, of which Queen Victoria is related.
The first castle was built in the 11th century, but all plans and information about the castle have since been lost. What is known is from accounts written in 1267 describing it as a significant castle outdoing all others in Swabia. The lines of the Hohenzollern families had two aspects, those that stayed in Swabia, and those that were in the region known as Franconia. The Franconian line eventually led to Frederick III as King of Prussia in 1701 and then on to William I, who was the German Emperor in 1871. Unfortunately, the Swabian side did not prosper so well since infighting took over. Through family disputes, the castle was destroyed in 1423.
Another family member took up the mantle and began to rebuild the castle in 1454. Family fortunes eventually changed and they were considered official princes as of 1623. The castle was further fortified during the Thirty-Year's War, but afterwards, it became more of a retreat to the family members, who had taken up residence elsewhere. Eventually, the upkeep proved to be too much, and the castle fell into ruin by the 1800s.
It was to be rescued once again by a history loving member of the family, Crown Prince Frederick William (IV) of Prussia. Through a deal with both lines of the family, the castle was restored with costs going one-third to the Swabian line and two-thirds to the Crown Prince. Construction began in 1850, but was not completed before Frederick William died. The third and current castle was completed in 1867 and was never intended to be used as a residence, rather it was a tribute to the Hohenzollern dynasty, although the king's bed chamber was used by Crown Prince William in 1945 as a place to stay until he moved into his new residence. Many of the family members are also buried on the grounds. Costs for upkeep of the castle today are still borne by the family. At times, this can be quite costly since the castle actually stands on a fault line. As recently as 1978, a significant earthquake caused millions in damages.
Castle viewed from a side road as we neared it
Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg (1371 - 1440) over the front gate. It was really impressive. After passing through the gate, you wind up the entry ramp which is actually a series of alternating spirals to ease the steepness of the ascent in a limited space.
One of the two chapels on the grounds - one for Catholics and one for Protestants.
These bronze statues are a part of the Berlin arsenal and depict the Brandenburg-Prussian rulers.
It was an incredible day with views that seemed to go on forever.
Within the main courtyard
Inside the smaller protestant chapel, Christ's Chapel.
It was a wonderful vacation only marred by the one hour long stop&go traffic on the way home due to construction. Thankfully, we had just stopped for one last little treat for supper, Burger King, so we weren't starving.
September is looking to be a very busy month. In addition to school starting up for the kids on September 15th and my beginning an intensive German immersion course on the 21st, we plan to take a couple more hikes, watch football (finally!!!), attend a wedding in traditional dress, see an auto show in Frankfurt, and have a visit from my aunt and uncle at the end of the month, so I should be writing at least once a week at that time. October also looks to be exciting with visits from my cousin and in-laws. We are really looking forward to it all.
Love,
Amie
