On this trip we flew into Frankfurt were focusing on the central part of the country and visiting my family roots this time. Just outside of Frankfurt is the Wiesbaden US Army Airfield and this place is special to me because my grandpa Dick Schafbuch was stationed here for about a year and half while he served in the US Army. He and my grandma were not married yet so she couldn't join him, so I was hoping to take a bunch of pictures to show her what it all looked like but we ran into a bit of a snag.
"Jane" ended up bring us in the back way into the base so we got a really nice drive around it and finally ended up at the front gate. The kids had just fallen asleep, but I really wanted a picture of all of us in front of the base's sign so they would know where their great-grandpa served. As we were walking to the sign with camera in hand, a guard started walking towards us and said were weren't allowed to take pictures of the base. Totally bummed out we walked back to the car. All I wanted from this place was my picture in front of the stupid sign. So Kevin being the wonderful husband that his is offered to drive me around the round about so I could take a picture of the sign, but before we did that we drove up to the guard station and asked first. The guard informed us that he is required to tell us that he couldn't keep us from taking any pictures of any parts of the base but if we did he would be forced to call the military police. Well, I was pretty bummed, but I didn't want to get us in any trouble at the beginning of our trip. Again, Kevin be the world's greatest husband, he drove down the road about a mile and told me to get out the zoom lens and try to take some pictures back of the base. So this is the best I've got.
We continued on our trip to drive along the Rhine River Valley. Pictures honestly don't give these scenes any justice. The day was beautiful and sunny and around each bend was another breathe taking view with vineyards, castles and quaint little villages along the water. In all honestly you could spend 2-3 days in just the little area we drove through.
We did make a long stop in St. Goar to visit the Rheinfels Castle which was once the largest castle on the Rhine. It was built in 1245, but was almost completely destroyed by the French in 1797. 
The other side has great views of the Rhine River. The castle does stick out from the side of the big hill but no castles were ever built higher than the tops of the hills to keep hidden from enemies.
After dinner we headed on the fastest route from where we were on the Rhine River to Cochem which was on the Mosel River. Our drive to Cochem was very interesting to say the least. I just had to take a picture of where "Jane" was taking us... a little on the curvy side.
Along the river valley there were two pretty common sights - vineyards all along the hill sides and lots of camping right next to the river. The Mosel and Rhine River valleys are prime wine country and they utilize some of the steepest parcels of land I've seen anything grown on. The camping is crazy too. The tents were so big that they looked like permanent tents, but I think most of them were tents built on to campers. Kevin and I both agreed that it would be amazing to come back and do some tent camping here.
In Cochem our hotel was right on the river and we had a balcony that we sat out on and enjoyed an amazing bottle of wine and got to sit and talk for the first time in a really long time. It was really nice.
One side of castle gives a great view of the hilly country side again with loads of vineyards and walking paths.
The other side has great views of the Rhine River. The castle does stick out from the side of the big hill but no castles were ever built higher than the tops of the hills to keep hidden from enemies.
We visited Heere Strass, the main street in St. Goar to check out the local stores and found some pretty interesting things like... the World's largest beer stein.
World's largest free hanging cuckoo clock... all hand carved and painted.
I love German food!!!! Here I ordered a pig knuckle with sauerkraut and potatoes. Kevin had an amazing breaded pork loin. Addie ate french fries and apple juice.
After dinner we headed on the fastest route from where we were on the Rhine River to Cochem which was on the Mosel River. Our drive to Cochem was very interesting to say the least. I just had to take a picture of where "Jane" was taking us... a little on the curvy side.
The Mosel River Valley is so beautiful and another area that should have 2-3 days devoted to it as well. We took a pit stop and got some beautiful views at the top of the hill before winding down into the valley.
Along the river valley there were two pretty common sights - vineyards all along the hill sides and lots of camping right next to the river. The Mosel and Rhine River valleys are prime wine country and they utilize some of the steepest parcels of land I've seen anything grown on. The camping is crazy too. The tents were so big that they looked like permanent tents, but I think most of them were tents built on to campers. Kevin and I both agreed that it would be amazing to come back and do some tent camping here.
In Cochem our hotel was right on the river and we had a balcony that we sat out on and enjoyed an amazing bottle of wine and got to sit and talk for the first time in a really long time. It was really nice.
2 comments:
Hi Corrina,
Looks like you guys had a great time in Germany. I visited St Goar back in 2004 and it brought back so many memories...especially the worlds larget cuckoo clock and the beautiful Rhine River...I Love reading you blog to see what you guys have been up to...keep posting more...
sounds like a fabulous time - especially being able to spend time on the balacony, looking over the river, with a good bottle of wine, and good conversation!
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