Germany

We are finally back from our trip and it seems like I was away forever. Matt and I, along with Jake and Nicole, went to Europe and traveled around Germany, Austria and Czech Republic for a week. It was so much fun to go back to Europe and see the amazing scenery there. I would have to say that Germany is probably the most beautiful country or place I have ever been to. Vermont resembles it a little bit but it seems like they have been able to preserve the simpler times and as you drive throughout southern Germany it is just green hills and thick forest with little small "village" looking towns with a church built high on the hill. It was so pretty. We had fun, especially with Jake and Nicole, even though when Jake and Matt get together it's like they morph into 12 year olds and Nicole and I suddenly have to babysit. But they made us laugh with their "basic" humor. This trip we decided to rent a car and do all the driving. It was fun to be able to stop anywhere and not have a train schedule to keep, the only hard part is people drive in Germany at lightning fast speeds and it also makes things a little hard when you have no idea what the road signs mean. We figured it out but we still did not hit the top speed that most of the cars around us were going and that was about 180 km's. We did get lost almost everyday but usually an hour later and a stop at the local gas station where the boys filled up with candy and drinks we would get back on track.

Some of the places that we went to were the Black Forest, Fussen - Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich - Dachau concentration Camp, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, Prague, and Rothenburg - a piece of the "Romantic Road".

I am so glad that I am home now. I missed Preston so much. I would look at his picture everyday and wanted to give him a big hug so bad. It is a little weird getting back into "mom" mode once you have been away from it for a week, but I am adjusting. Preston seems a little confused as to what is going on but he will get back into the groove of things. Thanks again to Mom and Kathleen for helping out and watching him while we were gone!

These two castles were were King Ludwig the second  the upper was his family's and the bottom one he built but it was never finished completely.  They are in Fussen which is in the Southwest part of Bavaria.  It boarders the German Alpes.  The surrounding area was so beautiful.

 A city in the Black Forest.  We enjoyed some bratwursts that had Matt and Jake mouths watering and wanting more.  The forest was absolutely stunning.  The little town was full of koo koo clocks and little shops.

Driving into the Black Forest outside of Frankfurt

Dachau Concentration camp outside of Munich.  It felt somewhat weird walking into this historic landmark.  It was full of gloom and despair yet had a peaceful feeling to it.  To read about all the horrific things that took place here made me so grateful for my country and the liberties that we have.  The most astonishing thing to me is that this camp is right in the middle of a city.  People were living right outside of the gates living ordinary lives while the torturing of innocent human beings was taken place inside the gates.

Guard tower

Bunks for the prisoners

the cement foundations shows how many rows and rows of cabins that were at this camp.  When the Nazi's came to the realization that the war was coming to an end and U.S. troops would be marching in they burned everything they could.  Prisoners were either killed or taken to other camps.

Salzburg, Austria. Above is the Festung Hohensalzburg or Fortress.  Built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard. It was so cool walking around in the fortress.  It had artwork to depict what life was like.  You also took an awesome mountain train that goes almost vertically up the mountain.

Mozart's Birthplace

 Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.  I thought the colors here were outstanding.  It is this little walled city that had a river surrounding it.  It was incredible walking around and just feeling like you were walking back in time.  We even ate at this restaurant that was in a basement and they were roasting pounds of meet over an open fire.  You were served this pile of roasted meat and potatoes with metal plates and all.  It was fun, and I think the men in the group thought it was the best thing in the world.

Prague, Czech Republic.  I would have never guessed that a city so big would feel so old, and preserved.  They had cobblestone streets and amazing structures and then walk a little further down the river and you see amazing modern structures that are now part of the business district.  

 Rothenburg, Germany on what is called the Romantic road.  This is a cute little walled city close to the Rhine River.  It was our last stop on the way back to Frankfurt.  It was such a cute little town that you would expect a little Pinocchio to run out in front of you or a little Hansel and Gretel.