Trick or Treat in Wintery Europe

Although our Fall vacation did not turn out as planned, we enjoyed our four day loop through Germany.

I am sure there are many folks where we live in the US who would have loved what we did the last four days.

The snowy Black Forest was something that you only dream about in the warm southern states. And the beautiful cathedral in Strasbourg, France was more beautiful than a decorated wedding cake.

The bakery fresh hard and soft bread rolls and delicious cheeses and ham for breakfasts are difficult to find where we live in America.

Fields freshly ploughed and waiting for cold weather and then an early spring decorated our views as we drove along the lazy country roads. And the cows were still grazing in the grass fields enjoying the last rays of sun and warmth before a gray, cold winter in the barn stalls.

And today before making the last scarey drive back on the German and Dutch autobahns, we visited the Birkenstock outlet store and the Villeroy and Boch outlet store to buy a few souvenirs. 

The weather in Europe may have tricked us and no snow tires changed our vacation plans, but we came home with the treats.

No Cuckoo Clocks in the Black Forest

While driving through powdered sugar coated monster Christmas trees in the Black Forest of Germany today, we actually thought we would see a shop that sells cuckoo clocks. Maybe those types of souvenirs are really extinct.  (We tried to find shops that sold cameos two years ago in Italy. They do not exist anymore either.)

Our morning drive in the sun was enjoyable, but then the temperature warmed up and the skies became gray around 3:00 pm. Then the rain drizzle started, and the fun was over. We did take a quick walk through the center of Strasbourg and saw the beautiful stone carved cathedral. And the underground parking garage was even an experience for me.

Tonight we are staying in Hotel Saarblick in Mettlach, Germany. This was my idea, since I remembered that we had visited a Villeroy and Boch outlet store here many, many years ago. Now there is an even larger store, plus other outlets. I even saw a Birkenstock shoe outlet that I plan to hit tomorrow after breakfast. So we have plans for tomorrow morning, but then we are heading back to The Netherlands.

There are plenty of touristy things we haven't done there in over 20 years!

Changed Directions

Rules, regulations, and SNOW for Halloween! Instead of heading to Croatia, we are driving across Germany. Our nephew warned us that we probably needed winter/snow tires on our rental car after November 1 in Austria. Rental company did not!!!!! So no risk taking this trip, and we are changing plans.

Today we drove in and out of snowy, winter landscapes that are not common at this time of year. The roads were reasonably clean, but the highway department around Stuttgart was busy cutting down many snow-laden fallen trees.

We especially drove to Stuttgart to visit the Mercedes Museum, and of course Monday is "rest" day for most museums in Europe. We should have known that!!! (and No, Son, we are not going back tomorrow.)

Now to sleep in Hotel Krone in Wildberg tonight and travel across to Strasbourg tomorrow. Just winging it from now on!

At the Red Horse Inn

Since the winter time began here this morning, we decided to make our evening stop around 5:00 pm (German time) just outside of Nurnberg.

Tonight we are sleeping and eating in Heroldsberg at the Rotes Ross Hotel (alias Red Horse Inn). This establishment was granted hotel/inn permission way back in 1600.  In 1856 it became a member of the Hotel-Gasthof im Familienbesitz. Now the Sorgel family owns and manages the hotel/restaurant.

We have the feeling that there aren't too many people sleeping here this Sunday night. We have the largest room on our floor with a king size bed with real down duvets, a luxurious bath/toilet, desk, couch, chair, coffee table, luggage shelf, clothes closet, television (with CNN), and internet access. What else do you need?

After my hub takes his beauty nap (driving on the German autobahn is not the most pleasant thing in the world), we will try out the restaurant. I just read that a specialty is "Wild." My Dutch father-in-law always loved this time of year so that he could eat venison, pheasant, etc. Bet my youngest brother would like that, too. I'll just have to see what else is on the menu before I go "Wild." 

Time to Vacation

For the last six months we have sweated and worked hard inside and outside of our homes, so now is finally the time to go on vacation.

Bet you think that is strange to hear in late October, but tomorrow we are off to Croatia. Now you know we must be crazy, right? Who goes to Croatia on vacation? Lots of people, but most go during the summer. We had some things to do here first, so that means our vacation is a little later than what you would expect. Or maybe it is a little earlier than what you would expect. I guess it is how you look at it.

The temps in Croatia should be pleasant, but we have to drive through the cold weather first to get there. There was snow in Munich last night! Tonight here the temperature is already freezing. So our suitcase is full of warm clothes and plenty of socks.

No more bare feet and short pants!

That was last Monday ;)))

Dogs Welcome and Free WiFi at McDonalds in Zwolle

Of course, I mean Zwolle, The Netherlands where the McDonalds has a dog eating and drinking station (inside the restaurant!) and the WiFi is FREE!

This afternoon we were out Kringloopwinkel (secondhand goods) shopping when we decided to eat lunch at a new McDonalds in an shopping area outside of Zwolle, The Netherlands. Although the restaurant was brand new, it was very small. Any woman over an American size 18 would have trouble turning around ( or sitting down!) in the restroom toilet stall.

Other than that, it was huge in extras. We ate a really good fresh Tasty hamburger that reminded me of a Burger King Whopper, but it was better with strips of bacon.

Then I checked to see if  WiFi was really free and accessible. It was! 

Then I noticed the dog feeding station near the entrance to the restaurant. What a surprise at an American restaurant (but in a very pet friendly country).

Carpet Cleaning

Since most of  the furniture is out of the apartment and on its way to a new home, we decided to try to clean this old carpet floor before we rip it out. Early this morn my hub went out to get the machine and cleaning fluid, and I attacked the spider webs. Luckily we have saved most of the cleaning supplies in the pantry/ storage room. Until we sell this thing, we still need to keep it presentable  for potential buyers and livable for our visits.

I found a really long cleaning rod with a very dirty cloth attached to the head. After I took off the cloth, I added a clean towel and attached it with rubber bands. Then I attacked the web collections on the 13 foot ceilings. I can still see a few that I missed, but the majority are gone or attached to the cleaning cloth.

Then I vacuumed the whole apartment and tried to stay ahead of the hub who was busy with cleaning solution and vacuum wand. We were busy from 11-3, and now know for sure that we are going to replace this azure blue carpet with a hardwood floor sometime in the future.

Now to return this apparatus to the Dutch version of Home Depot and to get on with our vacation.

Cleaning houses, bah! Not fun on any continent!