Who, What, When and WHY

[Smoke4320]

as I have posted several times now I was born in Germany. Raised mostly in the states, to a German mother and an American father (whos Grandparents and as far as we can trace are German).
In either case my mother is 83. She has lived in the states since the early 60's and knows her time is limited on earth.
She asked me If I would drive her around the lower west side of Germany for her last time..
We flew in Frankfort on 4/10. Rented a BMW 340I and drove for 918 miles. As much back roads as possible to Mainz, Schwetzingen, ULM, Aselshofen, Fussen. Then into Ruette (Austria) over to Switzerland, Up to Schoenwald (in the Black Forest) Then over the Rhine into France (following the Rhine till back into Germany, then up to Boppard Germany and back to Mainz and then Frankford.
8 days of driving .. stopping at many little towns to look at houses and walk the streets. visit the old churches and castles..
Most of the places we stayed were 200 to 400 plus years old.
We visited the Graves of my Grandfather and Grandmother in Koblenz layed her last set of flowers and said some prayers

when my head returns to normal I will share some pics .. suffering a little jet lag for sure

First 2 pics are the main square in Boppard .. Pay special attention to the shot down the street in the first pic .. That's a reg size street in MOST towns especially in the old sections of town.. there are tables chairs people ect and the street could be as little as 8 ft -12 ft wide and handles 2 way traffic
The last pic is in Mainz old part of Town 9 streets come together in the old main square
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[62chevy]

Awesome job of honoring your mother's request.

[bedbugbilly]

You followed the commandment that unfortunately, many do not nor do many even know .. . . "honor they father and they mother" . . . . I'm sure that your mother was so appreciative of you taking her and you will always have that memory of those special moments with her. I'm sure there were a lot of "heart tugging" moments, as well as tears, along the way. The photos are great - hope you'll post more as it's really interesting to see the things you point out. One thing that really sticks out to me in your photos is how clean the streets are (i.e. no trash, etc.) and how well kept the buildings are . . . . some places here could sure learn from that! You're a good man . . . . .

[Smoke4320]

OK have to share a funny story
as we are in the landing descent 30-40 miles out still over Belgium, sky is crystal clear, I am looking out the window at the farm land.. All the fields are normal shaped .. IE whatever the borders are that's what gets plowed and planted. As soon as we hit Germany I started laughing. every field was cut into perfect squares or triangles. The irregular borders are left and cut as lawn field or border.. THERE MUST BE ORDER... Oh how many times I have lived that in my life

OH there shall be NO trash in the streets..
Even spookier is to be in a Hotel with 20-30 rooms and NOT a SOUND will be heard. other than the very occasional bag wheel rolling down the hall. You are EXPECTED to be quiet at all times inside.. Even at breakfast if talking you WILL BE in a hushed tone as to not disturb the other guests at the next table
now in the Evening at a "beer garden" we are talking a different story

NOW for pics of the Rhine Again NO trash to be seen

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[popper]

It's pretty, spent a couple weeks in Melsungen several years back. Quaint and the old part of town was from the 11th Century. Construction was interesting. Kassel was very interesting, much old and new combined. And good phieffersteak too.

[Echo]

Ditto! I could not have said it better!

Plus One...

[Smoke4320]

heres a couple of a very old fort in Koblenz that's been made into a WW2 war memorial inside
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[Smoke4320]

And here is another town street pic .. Again see tables chairs and even trees in the way of 2 way traffic and very narrow street
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Heres a good one Look closely over the door is placard . House was built in 1776
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[Smoke4320]

the ALPS up close and Personal
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my view out the Hotel Window in Fussen Germany Bordering the ALPS
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and the crazy kings castle at the base of the ALPS
He tried to build 3 castles almost bankrupting the state of Bavaria till the money keeper drown him
Neuschwanstein Castle Fussen Germany
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[Petrol & Powder]

Smoke4320 - You are to be commended for honoring the wishes of your mother. I'm sure that trip meant more to her than you will ever know.
Germany, particularly Bavaria, is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I have a deep admiration and respect for the German people.

"We must have Order" is often used as a comical line when describing the Germans but it is a way of life and not a bad one.

[kenyerian]

Thanks for sharing.

[Hickory]

He tried to build 3 castles almost bankrupting the state of Bavaria till the money keeper drown him.

Oh, if we could only do that here in the US!

[Tom W.]

I had a friend and his wife from England whose son was a place kicker for The University of Alabama. One day she told her husband she had to get back to England to see some kind and look around. Mr. Trodd bought tickets and made reservations and such and they went. She must have known something, as she passed away just before they were scheduled to fly back...

[Smoke4320]

One more for the day
I tell people about this and they always think I am lying
In a hotel kids play room .. anyone can come it and purchase any age anytime
Look closely and you will see beer .. 2 kinds for 2.50 euro .. current exchange rate makes it is approx. $3.25 for a cold beer anyone anytime
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PS water with gas means with carbonation

[Maven]

Been to Fuessen and Neuschwanstein with my son years ago. Beautiful country and excellent beer! Btw, you can get King Ludwig Hefeweizen [beer] on occasion here in NY + it's not a bad beer for the money.

[reddog81]

Look closely and you will see beer .. 2 kinds for 2.50 euro .. current exchange rate makes it is approx. $3.25 for a cold beer anyone anytime
Attachment 218861

PS water with gas means with carbonation

I was in Germany for the first time last year and in some stores you had to hunt for water that didn't contain carbonation. We bought the carbonated water a couple of time on the trip and ended throwing it out. I can't imagine drinking that stuff. One thing odd about the drink pricing is that beer is relatively cheap and pop is fairly expensive. There were some places where they cost the same. Works out well if you don't mind a beer with each meal.

[MT Gianni]

On the recommendation of a friend I walked into a McDonalds in Rome to see the menu. It also had the most ornate bathroom in a McDonalds. Yep, two beers on tap or soda with your meals. I had better things to eat in Italy than US fast food.
Great thing to do for your mom.

[Smoke4320]

Been to Fuessen and Neuschwanstein with my son years ago. Beautiful country and excellent beer! Btw, you can get King Ludwig Hefeweizen [beer] on occasion here in NY + it's not a bad beer for the money.

Hefeweizen s good when you can see the wheat floating throughout the beer and COLD

[osteodoc08]

What an awesome and heartfelt story. Just got off the phone with my mother. Thank you for reminding me family should be the most important part of our lives.

[lightman]

Awesome job and cool pictures!