germany (october, 2005) 
As I write this, it's December of 2007, and my folks have just gotten back from a week in Germany. Their trip reminded me of our excursion there two years ago. 

I'm originally from Germany--born in Heidelberg, but moved to the States when I was a baby. It was the second time that Joni had gone: the first time was our honeymoon, in October 1988. It was the first trip for our daughters Beth and Ally. We went with my mother and her husband Nick.

Click on each thumbnail to see a larger version.


The reason for our trip in 2005 was to celebrate the 60th birthday of my Aunt Waltraud,
 my mother's older sister, who still lives in Germany. A week before we arrived, she
fell and injured her arm. After a short stay in the hospital, we got together for her birthday party


While we were there, we visited many places, including Heidelberg and the Zugspitze. We also visited the 
gardens at Schwetzingen Castle. The garden is a huge place that includes a building meant to mimic the 
appearance of a mosque.


Walking around the "mosque." It's just for decoration, and not really a place of worship


We also went to Neuschwanstein. On our way there, we passed...


...Hohenschwangau, the childhood home of King Ludwig II,
who built Neuschwanstein


Here we are at Neuschwanstein. Impressive, nicht wahr? If it looks familiar,
it's because it was one of the inspirations for Cinderella's Castle at Disney World


Up on the wall at Neuschwanstein


Sunset on Neuschwanstein as we left




Posted December 2007