Harvest Time

Today we took a two-hour hike through a local vineyard. It is grape harvest time in Germany and everywhere you look these big trailer full of beautiful grapes are headed for the wineries. The harvest is largely done by hand, and these tiny narrow tractors haul the hand-picked grapes to the waiting trailers. Pretty slick! Can't wait for the wine.

Nose To Nose

OK.... This image is a little out of order since it was taken several days ago by our friend Alex Benz who helped us out and showed us around in Austria. This is me, nose to nose with a cow. (The cow is on the right). If you look below a few photos (sept. 22) you'll see the view of the cow I got. Each year in the fall the Austrians bring their cows down from the high country for the winter. We were there to film it. Alex snapped this picture from another safer angle. Thanks Alex....

Hike To A High Mountain Ranch

We hiked to a place called the PinnisAlm. It is a very old farm high up in the Alps. It is still an operating farm but also serves guests at its restaurant. Above are two photos we took during the hike. Obviously fall has arrived as you can see in the one photo. In the other photo I can only say "Jule Andrews, where are you?"


The remaining photo is the small outdoor restaurant where we had lunch before we hiked back down.

Music On Top Of The World

We enjoyed a wonderfu lunch and some real Austrian music on top of the world. This is the top of the "Schlick 2000". We wimped out a bit here and just took the lift. We were pretty sore after all the hiking so this was a "down" day. Pretty high for "down" huh?

SennJoch Hutte

Our very good friend Alex Benz came to Austria for a couple of days to show us around. He lives in Germany and is Trixi's neighbor. This is a photo of the SennJochHuette (try to pronounce THAT one) where we hiked to. It was a long hike down but we were super-powered by the fuel at this great mountain restaurant. You want to eat here??? You hike!!

The Cows Come Home

During the fall of each year the Austrians have a festival where they bring their cows down from the high alpine meadows in preparation for the winter. The cows are dressed up, the Austrians are dressed up and it is quite a show. We were there to watch it, photograph it, video-tape it and really enjoy it. A full video, slide show and travel-book will follow when we have time to put them together. The above photo demonstrates what happens when you kneel down and get too close to a curious cow. Wait until you see the movie!!

Elferhutte Hike

Well my dear friends I just have no words to describe the Alps to you. Our hike to the Elferhutte (pictured above) is typical of the incredible beauty all around us. It only took us a couple of hours to hike there and the view was worth it. Once there we had an Austrian lunch (see our travel book link below) and then set out back down the mountain. What a day. Thanks for joining us...
Click For Our Travel Book Hike To The Elferhutte!

Stubai Valley

We spent most of the day hiking in the Alps. We came home sore and tired and with smiles that could not even be surgically removed. The beauty and majesty are beyond description. This is a photo we took of the Stubai Valley where we are staying. The view is from a hut we hiked to. Just incredible!

Austrian Alps

We just finished up our second full day here in the Alps. Austria is completely awesome. We are surrounded by just incredible beauty. It has been a little rainy and cloudy but today it cleared for a while and we went on a short hike. Here are a couple of photos we took just a stone’s throw from where we are staying..... Just breath-taking!

Austria

Click Here For Road Trip To Austria Book


We made it to Austria and it is awesome. There are more photos to come... Check our travel tour book link above.

Austria Trip

We are trying to get out of here for a little R&R. A friend of ours has made arrangements for us to stay at a little farm in Austria for a couple of days. It is only a few hours drive from here but knowing us and our cameras it will be considerably longer than that. After all, it is the journey that counts, not the destination. Anyway, it is in a little town called Telfas and is in the Stubaital area of the alps. Below is a photo of the area. It is just south of Innsbruck. We are planning on leaving tomorrow (Monday).

Rhine River Cruise

Not really much going on today in the way of new photography so I put together this movie of our last trip here. It is a rhine river cruise. I think you'll like it.... I sure did! Turn up the sound, the music is really nice.

LIttle Germany Movie (Turn Up Sound)

We created this little movie just to say hello to friends back in the United States. It's only about a minute long so don't worry about having to watch a family movie that will put you to sleep. Turn up the sound it has music. Then drop me a note and let me know how YOU are doing!

By the way, it's harvest time here in Germany. Your first clue might be the photo below. This cute couple along side the highway are made entirely out of hugh rolls of hay... pretty nifty! They are also about 30 ft. high.

German House

We saw this wonderful German house on a drive yesterday. It is just a typical home, nothing unusual for here but how amazing is that? We spent today doing yard work, sanding and painting and since there was no chance of anything that was worth photographing I decided on these nice images from yesterday. Who wants to see sanding, painting and yard-work anyway?

Breakfast

Yes, that's right "Breakfast". We went to breakfast today at a great old "coffee house". As you might be able to tell, ALL things in Europe just have a touch more class than in the United States. If you don't believe it, take a look at the above breakfast photos and then visualize Denny's. I rest my case.

German Saturday Night

Link To Latest Train Slide Show...(Turn On Sound)



OK dear friends. This is how a real German Saturday night begins. I don't really remember how it ends but everyone tells me I had a REALLY good time. I woke up with a lampshade next to my bed and it curiously fit my head perfectly. I don't want to know.

Wilhelma--The Zoo In Stuttgart

The zoo in Stuttgart is marvelous. Click the photo above for the full slide-show with music. Enjoy!

Of Castles & Haystacks

As you drive around here you feel mystical. The countryside is dotted with farms, haystacks, castles, vineyards. No wonder people love to live here. It really is like a little bit of magic!

Rain--Uggg

For all of our friends currently basking in the Southern California sunshine. I thought I would add some moisture to your day. I am here to tell you this is a beautiful, friendly, wonderful country here in Germany, but damn is it wet!! I think I could use some sunshine. Good Grief. Anyway, enjoy this little wet driive photo in Heilbronn Germany.

Railroad Museum

Click On The Train To View Our Museum Book (turn up sound)




Today we explored the railroad museum that is just a few blocks away, walking distance. It contains at least 25 fully restored steam driven locomotives and many more in various stages of being reconditioned. It was like stepping into a time machine and, poof, there you were in a world of trains from yester-year. The old baggage here just makes you want to step aboard the orient express and head off for adventure.

Click On The Train (above) To View Our Museum Book (turn up sound)......Bret

NEW!! Link To Latest Train Slide Show...(Turn On Sound)

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". :-)