German Road Trip!

The Teck

Vicar and boy, Nabern

Our first road trip in Germany took us north-east, through the ski slopes of the Black Forest to the town of Nabern/Kirchheim, outside Stuttgart.  Steve and Kathy will soon move back to Britain; we wanted to see their area before they go.

 Although we arrived just after lunch, Kathy had planned a full afternoon and evening.  The tour of their home brought us to the view of the Teck, a lovely castle on the hill above their town, which was obscured by fog.  We then meandered through Nabern and over the little town stream.  I am always amazed at the quaint homes and buildings in the small towns of Germany.  Dinner reservations awaited us at Hotel Stern ("Star").  Eating like that very often could be very dangerous to one's waistline!  The meal was not only tasty, but also leisurely.  In Germany once you sit down to a table it is yours for as long as you like!  We dropped into our bed at the Teckblick ("Teck view") Hotel relaxed, satisfied, and tired.

Castle gate, Schloss Lichtenstein

The next morning we arrived at our friends' mid morning to a small stack of presents and 5 large jars of peanut butter!  Smitty won't have to worry about peanut butter for a long time.  We then drove to  Lichtenstein, the town, not the country.  There, on the hill above the town, is the castle Lichtenstein, imposing yet precariously perched on the edge of the mountain.  We ate a delicious lunch of trout and potatoes not twenty yards from the stream where the fish swam and under the watchful eye of the castle. A post lunch drive took us up to the castle where we wandered until the cold wind chilled us to the bone.  We will have to return when the castle is open.

Steve and Smitty, not able to enter
the Hundertwasser apartment complex

Our next stop was the town of Plochingen to view the amazing apartment complex designed by Fredrichreich Hundertwasser.  Checking him out on Wikipedia explains a great deal, but the photos are the real deal.  A quick trip to Dehner, a local garden shop, for some post Christmas specials and we were  on our way to another leisurely dinner at the local Italian restaurant.  Yes, we ate internationally, and well, while visiting Steve and Kathy!

Smitty, Steve, Carolyn, Kathy in their
living room.

The next morning dawned clear, in contrast to the prior foggy day.  The view of the Teck from our hotel balcony was amazing.  I can never get enough of the bucolic views in rural Germany.  We drove back to our friends' for a tour of the larger city, Kirchheim unter Teck- "Church home under the Teck".  But first Steve drove us up the hill toward the castle for a magnificent view of the surrounding valley.   Our walk through Kirchheim included the old city wall, the farmers' market, and the Rathouse (city hall).  Again, cute, cozy, and many structures hundreds of years older than anything in the United States.  After a quick tour of the  local mall (we've only seen one other mall since we've been in Germany) we picked up Chinese take-out and went back to Steve and Kathy's to enjoy their view of the Teck and eat lunch before we headed back to Kandern.

We all agreed that the time together was delightful, but we need some down time before doing it again.  Next time, Great Britain!