Ravensburg Castle

We took a short drive today to a castle called Ravensburg. It was built in the year 950.... It was beautiful beyond compare. For a better look, click the photo above and make sure your sound is turned up. Join us for a quick look at the castle from the vineyards beneath it.

All Smiles

Hey, we went to the Stuttgart Zoo today (Wilhema). We were all smiles, as noted below.

On And Off

So, we were out driving around and we were very near a field where a farmer was putting bails of hay on his wagon to take them away. Below is a photo of how putting it on the wagon should be done.


Moments later we got a photo of the same wagon demonstrating how NOT to take them off.

Bad Wimpfen

Our good friend here, Michael, has been taking time off to show us the photo opportunities around Heilbronn. He is a good friend and a great photographer. We really appreciate him. He also shows us where to find the best beer.... VERY important!!

And this, is the famous Blue Tower at Bad Wimpfen. Michael helped show us around the medieval festival there. Don't miss the slide show below. What a trip!!
Click Here: Slide Show Of Bad Wimpfen

Out With Friends

Having some evenings free is great. We went out to a brewery, hoisted a few, had some dinner and then went to the ice-cream parlor shown here. I was much too full of good beer and great food for ice cream and so, along with Trixi, sipped a cup of cappuccino in the cool, moist German evening. What a treat!

Claudia's House

Click Here For Slide Show Of Claudia's House

We took a little trip over to Trixi's cousin's house. Claudia has a great house with a really lovely backyard. Check the slide show to meet Sandra and her boyfriend and, of course, a few of her pets. Thanks for some great food and a wonderful visit.

Vineyard

We had a few spare minutes this afternoon and went up to a vineyard on top of a hill near here. This is a shot of the vines as they slope up to the sky. They are heavy with grapes as the harvest time draws near. Trixi took some incredible panoramas from the top of the castle tower. They will be posted on her blog soon.

Click Here For A Great Shot Of Trixi's Back Yard

White Sausage And Beer

OK....Now we are tallking BREAKFAST. Our wonderful next door neighbors prepared a white-sausage and beer breakfast which is a kind of German celebration breakfast. Holy Smokes. Did we have a feast. Great neighbors, great breakfast and great friends. Check out the slide show below, for details!

Click Here For Slide Show Of Breakfast

German Outdoor Cooking

The food here was even better than it looks in this picture!

We were invited to a little barbecue at the home of one of Trixi's old friends. They went to school together and have stayed close for a long time. Her husband, Rainer, was a fantastic host and took us on a first hand tour of his incredible wine cellar (see the slide show below, the last few photos). The one making faces in the slide show is Lillly. What a card she is.

Click Here For Slide Show Of Barbecue

Well, of course we went out with friends again. This time to an old train station that was converted recently into the greatlest little restaurant. Here we are with our friends enjoying a good Bier and a good time! Trixi has so many wonderful old friends here and meeting them is a real treat. Some of them even speak English and Trixi gets a break from constantly translating.

Castles and Wine

Yesterday we went out to dinner with friends and I had one of the finest glasses of wine on the planet. I have included a photo of it here so you can at least know what it looks like. Sorry you can't taste it but then, oh well, you're not here now are you.

Recently we went to an amazing old castle containing a world famous bird sanctuary. Here is first, a photo of one of the old castle towers that rises up over the bird sanctuary. Second is a photo of one of the owls there. It was so beautiful and the show they put on was worth the trip to Europe itself.






And what little bird-show is complete without a buzzard? This guy was really a card and I was fortunate enough to get a shot of him in his classic pose. "I'm tired of waiting I think I'd like to find something and kill it".



Click Here For Slide Show Of Bird Sanctuary!!

Foot Park

Click Here For Slide Show Of The Foot Park



This photo was taken by a good friend of mine and fellow blogger, Rainer Oelze in Wiesbaden last week. This is me smiling and try to stay verticle in the slippery mud. We all went to a "foot park". It was great fun and wonderful on the feet. The part you see here is a stretch where you walk through the mud-bath. It really felt great. Look how muddy our legs are but fear not, later on you wade bare-foot through the river and you come out sparkling clean. Thanks to Rainer for the great photo.

Beautiful Fields

I just can't tell you how beautiful it is here. We took a short drive today and ended up on top of a knoll which was surrounded by vineyards and small towns. It was only a twenty minute drive from where we were staying. The food was delicious, the people were great, the little towns along the way were magic. This is a view from the top. Just amazing.

For a short slide show of the trip, click the link below.

Click this link to see our slide show!!

Castle Tower

This amazing place is surrounded by vineyards. At the top of the hill is a castle tower (above), a restaurant and lots of people having a good time. We visited there with our cameras, had some food and drink and enjoyed a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Below there is a link to more imagery....


Click this link to see our slide show!!

Today Trixi & I went to a wonderful, very old vineyard near Heilbronn, where Trixi's parents live. We wandered through the vineyards and the ancient pathways, through medieval forests. We photographed flowers, bugs, bees, grapes and a lot more.



Click this link to see our slide show!!

Wine!

When one thinks of wine, Germany comes to mind. We are in the heart of the German wine country and it is unbelievable. The Vineyards are something out of a storybook. At any moment I expect to see Hansel & Gretel scampering through the woods leaving bread crumbs behind them. Here is a typical bunch of grapes in a vineyard. This country, rich in history, was ancient before anyone other than indians even stepped foot in the United States. Amazining. It never fails to enthrall me when I visit here.

For a few trip photos (slide show) click here

Welcome To Germany

I think German food is among the best on the planet. Here is a tasty little plate our friends served us in Weisbaden.

Click on the food above to bring up a panarama of Heilbronn Germany where Trixi and I are currently working and visiting with Trixi's parents. The first few days here were beautiful. The last few have been constant rain. Oh well, such is Germany.

Just close the window when you are finished watching the panarama and you'll be back at the blog.

We have not had any time to travel but I guess that doesn't really matter since the weather has been so wet. We hope to finish up some work and have at least one weekend day to visit friends and maybe take a little trip to a beer garden...... Love that German Beer.....



Now, doesn't that look just dandy??

Dates

It is time to harvest the dates here in the Imperial Valley. Here are some dates just about ready to be picked. It is hot here, very hot. Upwards of 110 degrees and hotter. It gives a whole new meaning to having a "Hot Date". :-)