Amy & Adam's European Highlights

On Thursday we decided we needed to go outside to take advantage of the few lovely Fall days we have remaining. We went for a couple hour hike through the Naturpark, right behind our apartment. Although we experienced some passing rain showers, it was a lovely afternoon. We feel very fortunate to have ended up in such a beautiful town that embraces, values and maintains its natural resources.

THESE senf (mustard) fields are located near our apartment on a farm adjacent to the naturpark. See, senf really is a perfect plant: it's lovely to look at when it's growing and it tastes fabulous to eat!

YESTERDAY, we went on a field trip to the Hohenzollern family fortress, Burg Hohenzollern. http://www.burg-hohenzollern.com We took a local train to the town of Hechingen and then hiked the 4 KM (of which 2 KM is straight up)! to reach the fortress. Although it was dreadfully cold yesterday, and I was in a dreadful mood, I was happy to finally reach our destination and had to agree that the view was well worth our effort. We had a German tour of the inside of which Adam translated most of the information to me. I was happy that I was able to understand the tour guide ask if we had any questions! We didn't get home until after 9 p.m. last night which made our dinner of sauerkraut, weisswurst (a local sausage), potatoes and a white whine from the Rhine river taste even better than usual.

They had dog bowls out with a sign "hunde bistro." Notice all my layers...and I was still freezing. (I'm hoping that I'm going to make it through the winter).

THIS MORNING, I woke up to gently falling snow and I had to wonder if I was hallucinating. I'm pretty sure that I've never experienced snowfall in October before. Happily, this afternoon it has already melted. I hope this isn't an indication of how serious a winter we will experience! (I am told that winters here vary considerably). Here's photographic evidence of this morning's weather as I experienced it from the warmth and safety of our apartment: