WOW! I would love to have seen all of those old paintings and articles. What a shame they are live anymore so you could view the greenhouse in the glory days of growing.

continuing -
our days were always filled with some fun stuff, walking, exploring the neighborhood, swimming, later on kneipping ( you ask what is THAT? More later ) and more. At the day of the festivities for the main event, the 75 birthday celebration, we had a choice. Visit the so called Feengrotten, or go on a hike of ca 8 km. Klaus and I chose the Feengrotten, since we hadn't seen these since we were young Children. BTW I just loved how we came together as group and happily did these activities together. The best Birthday celebration ever!
On to the Feengrotten-
these are colorful grottoes of a former Alum shale mine near Saalfeld in Thuringia and the Stalagtites and Stalagmites are fascinating to look at. You will be outfitted with cape and a hat to avoid getting your clothes ruined by the still present drips from the ceilings inside the caverns.


I love the reflections in the shallow water.

Those hats and capes remind me of a meeting of the Druids or something of that ilk.

Well, a Fee translates to Fairy....

So then it is the Fairies' Grotto? Lovely name, and beautiful pictures.

Elaine, it is! For some reason it was always called that. There is also a beautiful play park mainly for children, attached to it in the forest slopes around it. We walked it and found it to be totally charming. (And when you are done walking, you can have a super delicious Thueringer Rost Bratwurst from the outside grill! )

Great pictures, Ursula. I am enjoying this.

Jim

Thanks!
And now on the "kneipping"
Imagine these two shallow pools connected by running water, one is around 40 degr F and the other slightly below that. You are supposed to walk through them in the manner of a large Stork and this is supposed to be good for your circulation.
Well, I compare it to hitting your toes with a hammer and rejoicing when the pain goes away.
Now weirdly enough it actually did feel pretty good afterwards and we did a few more passes through the cold water, it was fun in a warped way.
You can see there is also a basin for your arms. I lasted about 5 seconds in it.

Polar bear club stuff. I will take my swimming pool temperature around 85F.

I think your hammer analogy is about right.

Jim

I am really enjoying the photos of your trip! I have waded in some pretty cold streams in my lifetime, and I think I could handle that...as long as I don't have to go above the knees. That Polar Bear stuff could stop the heart!

Thanks Carol!

I have always liked the so called "Fachwerk" homes in the former East Germany. The first one included a former dilapidated barn. Lots of work went into that one.


Next - we took the train to visit my brother and and his growing family near Koblenz.
- taking a boat ride on the Rhein and visiting the Deutsche Eck where the Mosel flows into the Rhein.
My Brother's oldest Grandchild got stuck trying to climb the statue as his little brother looked on. One could take a nice walk at this complex, there was a pretty park. and we took the Gondola to the other side of the river, which was great!





I will conclude my trip report here! I had a good time going through my pictures with you!!
It was a fun visit!

Lovely photos, Ursula. Thanks for sharing. I had the same color of hair as your nephews when I was there age.

The second building you showed look like it was in the town center. Is it a private home? It looks huge.

Jim

Jim, this one is a hotel!

And Ken, thanks so much for the acorns!!