{"id":1441,"date":"2018-06-12T09:53:26","date_gmt":"2018-06-12T14:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/?p=1441"},"modified":"2019-01-04T20:22:17","modified_gmt":"2019-01-05T02:22:17","slug":"2018-european-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"2018 European Vacation, part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_5658.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1473 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_5658-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>Rick<\/strong> and <strong>Judy<\/strong> and <strong>Elise<\/strong> and <strong>Anna<\/strong> enjoyed a two-week excursion to <strong>Europe<\/strong> in May 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a (detailed) overview of our trip&#8230; (Click on each section to expand the text. [I am in the process of compiling this, so entries with fewer than 50 words have not yet been completed.])<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Background:<\/strong> Fall 2017\u2014Spring 2018<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease00-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease00-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease00', 1441, '(click to read 500 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease00-toggle-1441\">(click to read 500 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease00-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease00-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\">Judy applied for and received approval for a <strong>sabbatical<\/strong> from her teaching job during the 2017-2018 academic year. During the fall of 2017, she announced her intention to go to Europe to reconnect with her family there, taking advantage of her sabbatical.<\/p>\n<p>Rick asked pathetically, <em>&#8220;Can I come, too?&#8221;<\/em> To which she replied, <em>&#8220;Sure.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>At that point the trip was a nondescript intention. No immediate action was taken.<\/p>\n<p>Rick expressed a desire to include the girls in the plans. Alas, as it appeared spring or early summer were the ideal times for Rick&#8217;s and Judy&#8217;s schedules, they demurred. [Anna&#8217;s husband <strong>Alex<\/strong> would still be working, and she did not want to go without him. For Elise, it was too far away to consider, since she and <strong>Matt<\/strong> were planning a move to Chicago, and they had no idea where or when that would be, or what they would be doing.]<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward to <strong>February, 2018<\/strong>. Upon hearing about forthcoming fare increases, Rick began to investigate dates. And flights. And the availability of cousins we intended to visit.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1501\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopper.com\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1501\" class=\"wp-image-1501 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/hopper-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"65\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1501\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hopper uses big data to predict when you should book your flights &amp; hotels.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>The general target timeframe of late May or early June was acceptable to German family (in principle). Using the app <strong>Hopper<\/strong> (a recommendation from Elise) Rick booked two tickets for a roundtrip to <strong>Frankfurt<\/strong>, and texted the girls about the plans.<\/p>\n<p>Two days later, we were surprised to receive a call from Elise asking whether it would be okay if she came, too. Without much consideration, we said, <em>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;<\/em> She immediately clicked &#8220;Submit&#8221; and booked her flight\u2014WHILE we were on the phone! (It seems she was looking at an itinerary when she called, and was all set to commit, pending a positive word from us.)<\/p>\n<p>Anna was taken aback. You might be able to imagine the outline of her case: <em>&#8220;She can&#8217;t just invite herself on your trip, Mom and Dad! This is your time for you&#8230;. I wish I could go but don&#8217;t want to without Alex, and he has to work&#8230;. I&#8217;ll be finishing up grad school, and we might be moving, and I&#8217;ll be looking for a job&#8230; That&#8217;s not fair.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We offered to include her on the trip, and as it turned out, Alex was supportive of her going. So we added her to the itinerary. We would be making a swan song adventure for the four of us, perhaps never to be repeated.<\/p>\n<p>We created a Google doc to share ideas, plans, details, and suggestions. We scheduled a FaceTime<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> meeting with Elise (in Texas) for careful negotiations. We ironed out our itinerary, in consultation with the cousins, and proceeded to pack.<\/p>\n<p>We would meet Elise in <strong>Germany<\/strong>, as she had booked a flight one day ahead of ours. We would spend two nights in <strong>L\u00fcdinghausen<\/strong>; two in <strong>F\u00f6kinghausen<\/strong>; and three in <strong>Wasserfall<\/strong>. Then we would fly to <strong>Ireland<\/strong> (a &#8220;MUST SEE&#8221; recommendation from both our girls based on their independent, previous trips there) for six nights in <strong>Dingle<\/strong>, before returning home.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Travel to Europe:<\/strong> 8-9 May<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease01-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease01-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease01', 1441, '(click to read 390 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease01-toggle-1441\">(click to read 390 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease01-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease01-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\">Rick&#8217;s itinerary unwittingly had Anna on different flight numbers, but it turned out they were the same aircraft with different booking designations. His oversight, however, also allowed only a <strong>forty-five minute layover<\/strong> at <strong>Washington Dulles<\/strong>. We had people praying we would make our flight, and we were prepared for a sprint to catch our connection.<\/p>\n<p>We arrived at <strong>MSP<\/strong> airport in plenty of time, courtesy of our neighbor, <strong>Frank<\/strong>. Our flight was scheduled to leave on time, so we waited at the gate. Mindful of our tight connection at Dulles, we monitored the United app carefully for updates. One thing it told us was that we would be arriving at gate D24 (right below) and departing from gate C1 (left below)&#8230; a distance\u2014we were soon to discover\u2014of approximately 0.7 miles.<\/p>\n<p>We pulled back from the gate almost on time. Then we sat in a queue of waiting planes on the runway for twenty minutes.<\/p>\n<p><i>Our margin of error for making our connection had shrunk by nearly half!<\/i><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1461 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap-1024x320.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"183\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap-1024x320.png 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap-300x94.png 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap-768x240.png 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap-500x156.png 500w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/dullesMap.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We sprinted off the plane at Dulles as soon as we could, and lumbered down the concourse, dragging our luggage, Anna in the lead. We arrived\u2014hot, sweaty, and out of breath\u2014with mere seconds to spare before they closed the aircraft door. We found our seats, buckled in, took a few breaths, and prepared to settle in for the overnight flight to Frankfurt.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, we needn&#8217;t have hurried. The loudspeaker came to life almost immediately. <i>&#8220;Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. It appears this plane requires service. We will now ask you to <strong>deplane<\/strong> and await another aircraft to take us to Frankfurt. Please gather at gate C14 until it arrives. We apologize for any inconvenience.&#8221;<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1456\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4703-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>So we retraced half our steps\u2014 albeit at a much more leisurely pace; gathered at the gate; and waited. <strong>One-and-a-half hours later<\/strong> we boarded (again) for the transatlantic leg of our journey. Fortunately, we didn&#8217;t have a connection to make in Frankfurt, as<span style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal;\">\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0many of the other passengers.<\/p>\n<p>The Frankfurt airport is huge, and that&#8217;s an understatement. We eventually found our way to the rental car (<em>&#8220;Mietwagen&#8221;<\/em> in German) agency; trekked to the parking garage; got assistance from the attendant for converting the car&#8217;s GPS to English; and began our two-hours-and-forty-minute drive to L\u00fcdinghausen.<\/p>\n<p>We hadn&#8217;t realized it was a holiday week. That drive ended up taking nearly four hours in stop-and-go traffic!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Germany:<\/strong> L\u00fcdinghausen Farm, 9-11 May<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease02-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease02-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease02', 1441, '(click to read 851 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease02-toggle-1441\">(click to read 851 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease02-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease02-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1476\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/FrnakfurtToLudinghausen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1476\" class=\"wp-image-1476\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/FrnakfurtToLudinghausen-231x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"194\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/FrnakfurtToLudinghausen-231x300.png 231w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/FrnakfurtToLudinghausen.png 662w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1476\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Frankfurt airport to L\u00fcdinghausen<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>With our rental car, we followed GPS navigation through the intermittently crawling holiday traffic to the Pr\u00f6bsting farm in <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/L\u00fcdinghausen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">L\u00fcdinghausen<\/a>.\u00a0Reinhild and her dad Bernhard (whom we will see later) had visited Minnesota in 1999, so it was a thrill for Judy and Rick to see her again, and to meet her family. Our girls had both visited them on their travels.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1481\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1481\" class=\"wp-image-1481\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144-768x577.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144-1024x770.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144-399x300.jpg 399w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0144.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1481\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elise and Reinhild <em>en route<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Elise had arrived a day earlier, and was there to greet us. <strong>Reinhild<\/strong> had driven the five-hours-plus roundtrip to the Frankfurt airport to bring Elise to the farm. We discovered that she had graciously done this <em>on her birthday!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1484\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1484\" class=\"wp-image-1484\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0145.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elise with Greta and Johann<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Elise wasted no time re-introducing herself to the family, and had great fun with the kids, especially <strong>Greta<\/strong> and <strong>Johann<\/strong>, whom she had met on her previous trip. As evidence, the driveway and sidewalk were fully decorated in chalk, and the trampoline was in full service mode.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1485\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1485\" class=\"wp-image-1485\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193-300x298.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"149\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193-300x298.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193-768x764.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193-302x300.jpg 302w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0134-e1528833015193.jpg 993w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1485\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ida<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>When we arrived, Anna had a grand reunion with the kids, as well. (Unlike Elise, she had met <strong>Ida<\/strong> on her previous journey.) It took no time at all for the four girls to become almost a single entity.<\/p>\n<p>Johann, on the other hand, often sought solace in his Lego<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> kits. With incredible foresight, Judy had brought a Lego book for him as a gift.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1486\" style=\"width: 230px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1486\" class=\"wp-image-1486\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_4715-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1486\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trampoline troupe<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1487\" style=\"width: 230px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1487\" class=\"wp-image-1487\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1-400x300.jpg 400w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0015-1.jpg 1534w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1487\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Johann with Legos<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><br clear=\"all\" \/>As we found throughout our time in Germany, the families warmly welcomed us into their homes and lives. We ate what they ate; we explored their surrounds; we chatted like cousins do.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1453\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1453\" class=\"wp-image-1453 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007-1024x767.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007-768x575.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0007-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1453\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our welcome meal on the patio, with (clockwise from bottom left) Ida, Judy, Greta, Elise, Reinhild, Max, Johann, Anna, and Rick<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1458\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1458\" class=\"wp-image-1458\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4731-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1458\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Original family home<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><strong>Max Pr\u00f6bsting<\/strong> runs the family pig farm, which was deeded to him upon his father&#8217;s retirement, under German law. He has some 3,000 pigs, and an intricate, computer controlled feeding and nutrition system for managing them. On the surrounding farmland, there are cows whose owners rent grazing space. The original family home (right) has been renovated and rented out.<\/p>\n<p>The newer home sits across the driveway (below right) was subdivided to accommodate both his parents and Max&#8217;s family. There is a great combination of the old and new. For example, one of the barns is completely covered with a solar array.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1459\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4733.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1459\" class=\"wp-image-1459 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4733-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1459\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The new Pr\u00f6bsting home.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>We stayed in a dormer bedroom above the parents&#8217; side of the home. It was lovely! There was even a box of chocolates on each of our pillows! We felt not unlike the Von Trapp family. Each of four beds was in a corner, with lots of open space.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1457\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1457\" class=\"wp-image-1457 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777-1024x497.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"283\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777-1024x497.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777-300x145.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777-768x372.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4729-e1528842697777-500x242.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our dormer room<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1455\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1455\" class=\"wp-image-1455\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0015-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0015-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0015-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0015.jpg 1537w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1455\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Breakfast fare<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1508\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0140-e1528842963569.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1508\" class=\"wp-image-1508\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0140-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nutella and Ida<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Each morning Reinhild went to the store to pick out a selection of rolls, to be served with a wide variety of meats, spreads, and cheeses. (The kids\u2014especially Ida\u2014favored Nutella.) We also had juice, milk, coffee, and tea. We discovered we like <strong>Quark<\/strong>, a type of cheese we had never had before, made from soured milk fermented with mesophile bacteria. She also offered hardboiled eggs if we wanted, though admitted they normally only have the eggs on Sunday mornings.<\/p>\n<p>The next day, we went for a bike ride around the <strong>town of about 25,000<\/strong>, which is located about 25 km southwest of <strong>M\u00fcnster<\/strong>. The terrain is fairly flat in L\u00fcdinghausen, and as a result it is a popular destination for bikers. On our tour we learned about some of the history of the area (the town was founded in the <em>thirteenth century<\/em>); saw the three local castles and learned about their history; and toured the Catholic church in downtown.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4886\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4886-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1555\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1555'>\n\t\t\t\tBackyard, complete with trampoline.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4724\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4724-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1545\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1545'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8220;Hey, Anna, isn&#8217;t that an electric fence?&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0035\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0035-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1538\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1538'>\n\t\t\t\tBiking together on the country lanes.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4759\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4759-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1546\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1546'>\n\t\t\t\tBiking past a castle under restoration.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4781\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4781-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1547\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1547'>\n\t\t\t\tKing of the hill\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4802\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4802-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1548\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1548'>\n\t\t\t\tCastle selfie\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4845\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4845-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1551\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1551'>\n\t\t\t\tCastle drawbridge\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0150\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0150-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1543\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1543'>\n\t\t\t\tCastle viewpoint.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4815\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4815-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1549\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1549'>\n\t\t\t\tCastle data\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4823\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4823-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1550\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1550'>\n\t\t\t\tCastle posing\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4849\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4849-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1552\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1552'>\n\t\t\t\tPolenz factory\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5778\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5778-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1557\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1557'>\n\t\t\t\tPolenz produced walls in place\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0112\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0112-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1540\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1540'>\n\t\t\t\tDowntown L\u00fcdinghausen.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0106\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0106-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1539\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1539'>\n\t\t\t\tSt. Felicity Catholic Church in downtown L\u00fcdinghausen.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0113\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0113-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1541\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1541'>\n\t\t\t\tA banana split?\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0114\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0114-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1542\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1542'>\n\t\t\t\tSpaghetti ice cream?\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4866\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4866-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1553\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1553'>\n\t\t\t\tFun with ice cream\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4877\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4877-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1554\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1554'>\n\t\t\t\tReward after a long day of biking.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>On our bike tour, Reinhild thoughtfully pointed out a local business (read about Polenz Metall Design Manufaktur <a href=\"https:\/\/translate.googleusercontent.com\/translate_c?depth=1&amp;nv=1&amp;rurl=translate.google.com&amp;sl=auto&amp;sp=nmt4&amp;tl=en&amp;u=http:\/\/m.wn.de\/Muensterland\/2017\/01\/2648627-Polenz-Metall-Design-Manufaktur-stattet-Apple-Stores-weltweit-aus-Apple-Design-aus-Luedinghausen&amp;xid=17259,15700019,15700043,15700124,15700126,15700149,15700168,15700173,15700186,15700189,15700201&amp;usg=ALkJrhglix2prt5XB6xB1X6O0ivSFSSigQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>) which manufactures the white walls used in Apple Stores around the world. Rick was excited to see this and learn how the company had lost the brushed metal work which Apple had previously employed in their stores. The owner then competed to win the contract back for the white walls, partnering with a Belgian company to create the ideal product to meet Apple&#8217;s exacting specifications.<\/p>\n<p>Along the way we stopped at a World War memorial, honoring local men who died in both World Wars.<\/p>\n<p>We also stopped at a\u00a0charming ice cream parlor in the downtown area for a &#8220;snack.&#8221; After our snack, we biked to an inn where we had a real dinner. It&#8217;s a good thing we were biking all day so we could justify (or at least rationalize) all those calories!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1544\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1544\" class=\"wp-image-1544\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153-400x300.jpg 400w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0153.jpg 1835w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crashing a wedding reception.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1563\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1563\" class=\"wp-image-1563\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887-300x222.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"111\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887-300x222.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887-768x569.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887-1024x759.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4887-405x300.jpg 405w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1563\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Saying goodbye to the Pr\u00f6bsting farm<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>On 11 May it was time to move to our next destination, but not before heading back into town to &#8220;crash&#8221; the wedding reception of one of Reinhild&#8217;s friends, and to collect momentos from the local tourist bureau. Then we said our farewells and set out for F\u00f6kinghausen, following our trusty GPS.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Germany:<\/strong> Waldhaus F\u00f6ckinghusen<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease03-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease03-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease03', 1441, '(click to read 846 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease03-toggle-1441\">(click to read 846 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease03-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease03-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1578\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1578\" class=\"wp-image-1578 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus-300x179.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus-300x179.png 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus-768x458.png 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus-1024x611.png 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus-500x298.png 500w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/LudinghausenToWaldhaus.png 1487w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">L\u00fcdinghausen to Waldhaus<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Our destination was <strong>Waldhaus F\u00f6ckinghausen<\/strong>, a &#8220;forest inn&#8221; run by <strong>Ute and Antonius Knippschild<\/strong>. Even with GPS, it didn&#8217;t take us long to miss a turn. Due to construction on the highway, several exits were closed, so we had to travel miles out of our way in order to turn around and return to our original route.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4892.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1569\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4892-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4892-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4892-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>Our arrival was anticipated, as indicated by the welcome sign in front of the hotel. It was exciting to see Ute excited to see us. (She had stayed with us when we lived in California ages ago; Rick and Judy had not seen her since her wedding in 1999.)<\/p>\n<p>They had set aside two rooms for us, which were darling. Again, the many novel (to us) features, such as heated towel racks and\u00a0magnetically-sealing shower doors, fascinated Rick, and made the space efficient and charming.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1593\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4907-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1583\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0160-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<br clear=\"all\" \/>The Knippschild family lives in an apartment on the second floor of the hotel. There is a deck on the roof of the entryway (above, left) which lets out from their living room. Upon our arrival, Rick and Antonius assembled a grill in the garage, newly purchased for the occasion (their old one had stopped working). We delivered the freshly-assembled grill to the deck, where a cookout was being prepared. Antonius is a bonafide chef (as we knew from the wonderful food at their wedding reception) and the barbecue showed it.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1590\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0288.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1590\" class=\"wp-image-1590\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0288-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0288-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0288-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0288.jpg 1537w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1590\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Antonius at the grill<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1584\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1584\" class=\"wp-image-1584\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0161-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Watching the chef at work: Judy, Ute, Anna, Suzanne, and Elise<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>It was a wonderful meal (and only a foretaste of what was to come). For the occasion, <strong>Heiner and Suzanne Schulze Uphoff<\/strong> (Ute&#8217;s sister) drove up from their home just south of Bonn. They would be with us for several activities, which was nice, since we wouldn&#8217;t be able to visit their house.<\/p>\n<p>We got introduced to the kids (Anna and Elise had already met them) and had a wonderful meal together. Suzanne and Heiner&#8217;s kids are <strong>Franseca<\/strong> and <strong>Christoff<\/strong>; Ute and Antonius&#8217; are <strong>Karl-Anton<\/strong>\u00a0and <strong>Johannes<\/strong>. We would often be without our girls, and would find them in demand for soccer (in the front yard) or trampoline activities (in the back yard).<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1585\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1585\" class=\"wp-image-1585\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0163-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Delicious food &#8220;from the barbie&#8221;: Judy, Heiner, Ute, Antonius, Elise, and Anna<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>We made plans for a forest walk the following day, along with some sightseeing. The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bestwig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bestwig<\/a> area is apparently popular as it is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hochsauerlandkreis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hochsauerlandkreis<\/a>, a district that includes the two highest mountains in the German state of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_Rhine-Westphalia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Rhine-Westphalia<\/a>\u00a0(NRW).<\/p>\n<p>We drove about 30 km to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winterberg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winterberg<\/a>, a town very popular with snow skiers. There are trails from Winterberg along the Sauerland Mountains. We hiked a portion of the trail, as far as a restaurant near Hoheleye district (about 7 km each way).<\/p>\n<p>We had a meal, then began the return hike. The interesting thing about the meal was that the restaurant was very busy. Ute and Antonius know the people there, and Ute undertook to be our server. She got menus and turned our orders in; then brought out the food and beverages when they were ready. Along the way back, some of our group elected to ride back rather than continue the trek, so Antonius took off at high speed on foot to collect the car and pick them up. The rest of us strolled leisurely back to the parking lot.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/20180514_winterberghike\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/20180514_winterbergHike-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1645\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1645'>\n\t\t\t\tOur route through the Hochsauerland\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_4958\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4958-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1566\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1566'>\n\t\t\t\tSetting out with Antonius as the leader &#8212; er, guide\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_4956\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4956-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1573\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1573'>\n\t\t\t\tWe follow the &#8220;R&#8221; route&#8230; logo for the trail, fashioned after the trail and hills\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0309\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0309-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1592\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1592'>\n\t\t\t\tBeautiful forestland\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0304\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0304-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1591\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1591'>\n\t\t\t\tBeautiful hikers\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0181\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0181-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1589\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1589'>\n\t\t\t\tSuzanne and Christoph.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0177\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0177-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1588\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1588'>\n\t\t\t\tFlower children\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_4974\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4974-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1572\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1572'>\n\t\t\t\tRest stop for the feet.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0173\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0173-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1587\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1587'>\n\t\t\t\tRick was smitten by the wildflowers\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0167\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0167-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1586\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1586'>\n\t\t\t\tSisters!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_4981\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4981-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1603\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1603'>\n\t\t\t\tOur restaurant destination\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_4983\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_4983-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1607\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1607'>\n\t\t\t\tWe passed the 100 km &#8220;milepost&#8221; along the way\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>From the carpark in Winterberg we drove to the summit of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kahler_Asten\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kahler Asten<\/a>, the second highest mountain in NRW. It&#8217;s not an alpine peak, more like a high meadow, but it is beautiful and has a lovely view, even from ground level. (If you want to see above the trees, there is a building\/restaurant you can pay to enter and use the observation deck.)<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1610 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0192-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1611 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0193-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1613\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5006-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>We ended our day back at the Waldhaus, where Ute and Antonius had planned a particularly festive feast. We were treated to a four course meal, which\u00a0was truly amazing!!<\/p>\n<p>We each had a white asparagus starter with a delectable sauce. This was followed by a platter with four magnificent meats to try, each better than the next, and a big bowl of potatoes. It was all topped off by trio of delicious desserts: rhubarb cream; fresh fruit; and strawberry parfait.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1612\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5005-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>Judy was so excited, she hopped into the kitchen to test the boundaries of propriety, and upon approval (and aproning) from the chef, she helped Ute deliver desserts.<\/p>\n<p>WOW! It was all wonderful.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1614\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5008-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><strong>Joseph and Margaret Dickmann<\/strong> (Suzanne and Ute&#8217;s parents) were able to join us for the meal, which was truly special. After dinner, Antonius emerged from the kitchen to sit with us, and insisted we have &#8220;one more beer&#8221;\u2014three times!<\/p>\n<p>The next morning was &#8220;moving day&#8221; as we prepared for the next stop on our sojourn. We had a leisurely morning; Ute and Antonius had some 120 &#8220;Mother&#8217;s Day&#8221; reservations to manage! Still they made time to get us on our way our next &#8220;cousin accommodation.&#8221; The &#8220;kids&#8221; enticed Elise to enjoy the trampoline with them one last time; and we sat in the shade to relish the lovely landscape.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5017\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5017-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1618\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1618'>\n\t\t\t\tOne last bounce&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5015\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5015-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1617\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1617'>\n\t\t\t\tGardens at the back of the Waldhaus.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0342\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0342-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1621\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1621'>\n\t\t\t\tOne last lemonade in the shade.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_5012_mod-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_5012_MOD-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1625\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1625'>\n\t\t\t\tWe can see you from here!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Germany:<\/strong> Ferienhaus Wasserfall, 13 May (Mother&#8217;s Day)<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease04-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease04-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease04', 1441, '(click to read 1,310 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease04-toggle-1441\">(click to read 1,310 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease04-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease04-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\">For Mother&#8217;s Day we received an invitation to visit the Dickmann home in <strong>Andreasberg<\/strong>, basically across the <strong>Ruhr River<\/strong> valley to the south. We had been there in 1999, and were pleased to return.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1628\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1643 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop-1024x317.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop-1024x317.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop-300x93.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop-768x238.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop-500x155.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bestwigArea02_crop.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1631\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1631\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1631\" class=\"wp-image-1631\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg-300x152.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"101\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg-300x152.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg-768x388.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg-1024x518.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/fromAndreasberg-500x253.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1631\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking north-northeast from the Dickmann home, after the weather broke.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This was the only day we had any &#8220;weather&#8221; to speak of. It poured heavily, blasted thunder and lightning, and pummeled our car with hail. We were glad to be inside and cozy, sharing memories with Joseph and Margaret&#8230; and the delicious cakes from Margaret&#8217;s magical, miniature kitchen. We had marveled at its efficiencies when first there nearly two decades earlier.<\/p>\n<p>From there we continued south a few more minutes, past the <strong>Fort Fun<\/strong> amusement park (foreshadowing alert; stay tuned), to <strong>Ferienhaus Wasserfall<\/strong>, the vacation home run by <strong>Ruth Metten<\/strong> on the family property. Judy and Rick had met Ruth, along with her sister Reinhild (our L\u00fcdinghausen hostess) and their parents, <strong>Bernhard and Marianne,<\/strong> at Ute&#8217;s wedding in 1999. Anna and Elise had met them on their travels as well. Now we were blessed to spend some time with them.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1633\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/by-rick\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0256\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1633\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1633\" class=\"wp-image-1633 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864-300x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864-300x160.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864-768x410.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864-1024x547.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864-500x267.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0256-e1530740210864.jpg 1833w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1633\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Historic family farm<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>The family farm has been there for hundreds of years. Literally! When Bernhard reached retirement age, German law required that he deed the land to a descendant, in this case, Ruth. She took over, though he still works the land, managing the trees in their forest. When a big storm came through and blew down a lot of their trees, they had to sell them all at once. With the proceeds, Ruth built a vacation home on their lot, which she manages. The area has a lot of tourism, especially from the Netherlands, and the Ferienhaus is heavily booked.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/by-rick\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0278\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1634\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1634 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278-1024x389.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278-1024x389.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278-300x114.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278-768x292.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278-500x190.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0278.jpg 2035w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a>The vacation home (<em>left, above<\/em>) accommodates ten people easily, and has many modern gadgets and efficiencies typical of what we saw throughout the trip\u2014and with which Rick was particularly struck all along the way. For example, there are towel warmers in the bathrooms. What a great idea! We used them to great effect, drying our overnight laundry along with our towels. (This may be a good idea to investigate for implementation in Minnesota, where warm winter\u00a0towels would be welcome.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/by-rick\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5161_mod\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1635\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1635 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5161_MOD-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5161_MOD-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5161_MOD-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5161_MOD-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5161_MOD-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>The family farm (<em>right, above<\/em>) is where Bernhard and Marianne live. Ruth built a home between the original home and the barn. Her home attaches and has a separate entrance (<em>right<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>We were welcomed and given a tour, then sat to visit and catch up. It was fun yet we had to keep on our toes to be sure everyone was able to understand. Anna doesn&#8217;t speak German; Rick and Judy speak a fair bit of German; Ruth is strong in both languages, as is Bernhard; and Marianne speaks only a little English. She had shared privately with Ruth that she was concerned about being alone with us and unable to communicate (Ruth would be away working during the day). However, our living room chat was enjoyable for all, and she was at ease, especially with her dictionary for tough words, and our rudimentary skills in German.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0279\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0279-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1666\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1666'>\n\t\t\t\tWelcome to Ferienhaus!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5050\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5050-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1669\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1669'>\n\t\t\t\tThe entry&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5047\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5047-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1667\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1667'>\n\t\t\t\tThe kitchen&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5048\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5048-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1668\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1668'>\n\t\t\t\tThe sitting room.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>After settling in, Ruth invited us to her quarters for dinner. She prepared a white asparagus pizza and salad, which were spectacular. We sat around the table over drinks (also a special creation) and heard stories of her home&#8217;s conception and creation. We made plans for a tour of the family forest the next day, and retired (although the girls stayed up later, chatting with Ruth).<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0318\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0318-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1649\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1649'>\n\t\t\t\tWhite asparagus pizza!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0316\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0316-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1647\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1647'>\n\t\t\t\tA special cocktail creation that was delightful.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0317\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0317-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1648\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1648'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8220;Prost fur alles!&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>We had heard rumors of a surprise happening on Monday afternoon, but were given no clue, and so contented ourselves with a morning walk. We drove down the long hill into the town of <strong>Ramsbeck<\/strong> to purchase groceries. It was very picturesque. Rick was enchanted by the juxtaposition of the word &#8220;circus&#8221; with the family name &#8220;Trumpf&#8221; &#8212; given the current political climate in America. Who knows if the foibles of the current US administration helps or hinders the success of this circus. After breakfast and while Ruth was at work, Bernhard and Marianne showed us around the family land, introducing us to the trees Bernhard manages. We saw where the lumber is gathered after harvesting; a hunting stand and hunter&#8217;s cabin; and went wandering over the hill on our way back to the house. Marianne left before the hike, taking the car home.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0319\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0319-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1652\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1652'>\n\t\t\t\tRamsbeck for shopping.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5052\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5052-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1655\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1655'>\n\t\t\t\tPoignant and prophetic&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0320\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0320-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1653\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1653'>\n\t\t\t\tBeginning our tour with an overview.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0321\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0321-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1654\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1654'>\n\t\t\t\tBernhard enjoyed showing us his &#8220;office.&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0216\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0216-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1651\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1651'>\n\t\t\t\tAnna enjoyed the breeze and the view from the hunting stand.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5059\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5059-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1656\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1656'>\n\t\t\t\tThe woods beckon.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5062\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5062-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1657\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1657'>\n\t\t\t\tActing out at &#8220;Des J\u00e4gers ruh&#8221; &#8212; The hunters rest&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5071\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5071-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1658\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1658'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8230;But no hard feelings!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5073\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5073-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1660\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1660'>\n\t\t\t\tWind power was evident everywhere.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5080\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5080-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1661\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1661'>\n\t\t\t\tAnna and Elise recreated a photo from childhood.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0322\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0322-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1662\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1662'>\n\t\t\t\tElise revelled in being with baby trees.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0324\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0324-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-1664\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-1664'>\n\t\t\t\tThe farm and the Ferienhaus are heated by wood (duh!). *\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: 11px; margin-left: 40px; margin-right: 40px;\">* The sticker on the door to the furnace room reads: <i>&#8220;Holz. Und Deine Welt hat wieder ein Gesicht.&#8221;<\/i> Which is translated: &#8220;Wood. And your world has a face again.&#8221; I don&#8217;t know if that&#8217;s idiomatic or not, but basically, it means <b>it&#8217;s renewable!\u00a0<\/b>And <i>nobody<\/i> wants a world without a face.<\/div>\n<p>When we got back we had a wonderful lunch, prepared by Marianne in our absence. We learned that it is high praise to say about the meal, <em>&#8220;Well, one can eat it.&#8221;<\/em> After eating, we got ready to head back to the Waldhaus for our promised &#8220;surprise.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1663\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0323.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1663\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1663\" class=\"wp-image-1663 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0323-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"779\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0323-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0323-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0323.jpg 1537w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1663\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elise appreciated the results of the trees&#8217; eventual harvest in this roadside bench.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>When we gathered at the Waldhaus, we noticed two things: there was a large bus (think of a party bus, but built for off-road driving); and there were many people there. Bernhard had arranged for a local touring company to transport us through town and up into a mountaintop quarry (not accessible to the public). The invitation included many other cousins in the area, so we got to meet some of the extended family.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1673\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1673\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1673\" class=\"wp-image-1673 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0228-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1673\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The &#8220;Berge-Bus&#8221; (mountain bus) preparing to take us on an adventure. Elise, Reinhild, and Anna loved the idea, and each other!<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>It was a fun and hair-raising ride, as we lumbered through town; past the huge gravel trucks and mining facilities; and onto the top (well, it is currently the top, but a good bit of it has been ground up and hauled away) of the mountain. The view was amazing, though you had to watch your step. The mineral dust from the mining process does not wash out; and the edges of the scree piles are rather precipitous.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0345\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0345-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1693\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1693'>\n\t\t\t\tGathering to load the &#8220;Berge-Bus.&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0349\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0349-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1694\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1694'>\n\t\t\t\tNew people to meet.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0229\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0229-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1684\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1684'>\n\t\t\t\tGetting settled.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0237\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0237-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1686\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1686'>\n\t\t\t\tOur trusty steed atop the quarry.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0357\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0357-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1696\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1696'>\n\t\t\t\tIt must be a universal guy thing to stand by a vehicle with hands in pockets.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0351\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0351-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1695\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1695'>\n\t\t\t\tSlag heap views.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0332\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0332-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1690\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1690'>\n\t\t\t\tWattmans in the wind.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5138\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5138-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-1681\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-1681'>\n\t\t\t\tJudy, Anna, Reinhild, Ruth, and Elise endured the wind as well.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"float: right;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yDij26zU-N4\" width=\"280\" height=\"157\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>After exploring the quarry for a while, we were rounded up and taken to our next destination: the back side of <strong>Fort Fun<\/strong>. At the end of a winding service road we reached the hilltop extremity of the park, where there is a tower (not unlike a fire lookout) with yet another breathtaking (in more ways than one) view of the Sauerland. Some undertook the climb; some preferred the shade below; and the younger kids did both: running around, up and down the stairs, and all over the play equipment.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-8' class='gallery galleryid-1441 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_5145-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_5145-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1700\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1700'>\n\t\t\t\tThe quarry, where we had been, from the tower.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0335\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0335-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1691\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1691'>\n\t\t\t\tAnna and Elise at Fort Fun.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0241\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0241-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1688\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1688'>\n\t\t\t\tLooking toward Wasserfall.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_0239\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0239-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1687\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1687'>\n\t\t\t\tLooking toward Andreasberg.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_5148\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_5148-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1683\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1683'>\n\t\t\t\tLooking down on those who preferred not to climb. (Antonius [red shirt, right] tried his hand at the climbing wall instead.)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/img_0243-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_0243-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1705\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1705'>\n\t\t\t\tWattmans &#8220;on top of the world&#8221; at Fort Fun.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/gasthof-nieder\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_0339-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1692\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1692'>\n\t\t\t\tGasthof Nieder\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/attachment\/white\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/white-150x150.gif\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/img_5110\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/IMG_5110-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-1697\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-1697'>\n\t\t\t\tMeat and potatoes and cabbage!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>We were again herded back onto the &#8220;adventure bus&#8221; for our ride to a dinner reservation at Gasthof Nieder in <strong>Heringhausen<\/strong>, after which we were delivered back to the Waldhaus for the end of our day.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Pl\u00e4sterlegge<\/strong> (as the waterfall in Wasserfall is known) is the highest natural waterfall of the Sauerland and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The word is apparently a dialect formation of the Sauerland Platt and means something like &#8220;raining schist rock,&#8221; composed of the terms blaring (&#8220;crackling, cloudbursty rain&#8221;) and legge (&#8220;schiefriger rock&#8221;). It falls about 700 m, first about 20 m almost vertically over a rocky outcrop of the shale into a gorgeous basin, and then flows about 500 m as a torrent over the remains of a debris glacier. Luther, a district nature conservationist for Bestwig, wrote in 1938:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>South of the fall, a towering structure crowns the rock. Behind this breastplate lead was smelted. The molten metal was then poured over the drop. As it fell, round globules formed, which then cooled rapidly in the water. Even now you may find such pellets.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the Sauerland region, preservation of the relics of this &#8220;ball foundry&#8221; (<em>\u201eKugelgie\u00dferei\u201c<\/em>) is viewed as important for national heritage reasons. The fragile surrounding ecosystem is also being protected.<\/p>\n<p>There is a chapel<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Ireland:<\/strong> Dingle Airbnb<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease05-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease05-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease05', 1441, '(click to read 3 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease05-toggle-1441\">(click to read 3 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease05-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease05-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\">Text for Ireland&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Travel to USA<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 20px;\">\n<div id=\"pressrelease06-link-1441\" class=\"sh-link pressrelease06-link sh-hide\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"showhide_toggle('pressrelease06', 1441, '(click to read 5 words)', 'Close'); return false;\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span id=\"pressrelease06-toggle-1441\">(click to read 5 words)<\/span><\/a><\/div><div id=\"pressrelease06-content-1441\" class=\"sh-content pressrelease06-content sh-hide\" style=\"display: none;\">Text about the trip back&#8230;<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rick and Judy and Elise and Anna enjoyed a two-week excursion to Europe in May 2018. Here is a (detailed) overview of our trip&#8230; (Click on each section to expand the text. [I am in the process of compiling this, &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/journal\/2018-european-vacation\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1441"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1441"}],"version-history":[{"count":119,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1441\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1742,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1441\/revisions\/1742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wattmans.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}