Heidelberg for the Weekend

We had a great time in Heidelberg last weekend. The city was beautiful and we even did a little geocaching while we were there. Geocaching is something that I have always been interested in and I was thrilled when Phil presented me with the directions to a few containers. It is basically a treasure hunt using GPS coordinates to find secret containers at various locations. These containers contain a book to sign your name and usually various trinkets left by others.While we were hunting for containers I kept thinking about how much fun this would be to do as a family someday.

We decided to start out with an easy container located in a very public place. It was fun to try to find it without other people seeing us. We ran around the corner with the container to sign our names before returning it.


We had a great first experience with geocaching and plan on hunting for others when traveling to new places.

So now onto exploring Heidelberg.

Our walk along the Neckar river.


We walked around the Bismarkplatz, one of the main shopping/pedestrian areas.




After walking for a while we decided to stop in for a snack. We were pulled into Big Pommes by the delicious smell of fries. Not very healthy but it hit the spot.
Twister fries and a hot dog europa.


After our snack we continued walking through town on our way to Heidelberg castle.


The Market place and Hercules Well


Another snack stop to share a delicious chocolate cookie ball. I can not remember its real name but it is amazing. We visited a shop that offered you the choice of 21 glazes and fillings. I would compare ours to a chocolate graham cracker that is rolled into a ball and then dipped again into dark chocolate.


We saw the first signs of Heidelberg castle when we arrived at the Old Town's Market.


Eager to explore the castle we started the long climb up to the castle base.


The view from the top.




The castle itself was damaged during the 30 Years War, rebuilt and then damaged again by lightning in the 1800's.




Father Rhine guarding the entrance to the Great Grotto.


At this point the temperatures had dropped significantly so we decided to head back for a warm meal near our hotel.

We had a wonderful time exploring Heidelberg and we were so happy that we were able to fit it in before heading home.

Before closing this post I must leave you with one of my favorite pictures.

Happy Valentines Day!

As I am typing this buckets of snow are falling from the sky. This weather makes me want to curl up by the window with a great book until Phil gets home from work. It is a beautiful white Valentines day.
We both decided not to go out for a fancy dinner since we had such a full week ahead of us. We have a lot of fun activities planned that include a doctors appointment that might reveal the sex of our little one!!!! I am not holding my breathe because it is still a little early. Besides seeing some friends and a big group dinner, Phil and I will also be traveling to Heidelberg this weekend. I realized the other day that all of our trips over the last 2 years have been with other people. Although I love traveling in groups, I am excited to be exploring this new town, just the two of us.

We will be staying right on the Neckar river so I hope to return with beautiful pictures of this historic German town.

Now off to run a few errands and try to stay upright in the slush.


Happy Valentines Day!

A Little News

We have some exciting news to share on our travel blog. We are pregnant and expecting around the first week of August. This is the main reason for our early departure home. Although we are sad to leave Germany in May we are thrilled about what awaits us this summer. We are so excited about this edition to our family and loved being able to tell our family while we were home for the holidays.

This news also means that the travel posts will hopefully increase since Phil and I are trying to travel as much as we can before our little one arrives...or it is too late for me to travel.

Our time in Germany has been so rich with blessings. We are so grateful!

Bike Rides in the Snow

Well it finally happened this weekend. We woke up Saturday morning to an inch of snow on the ground with a steady snow shower that lasted most of the day. After having breakfast we decided to ride our bikes into town to take pictures and enjoy the white stuff. We tried to soak up every minute of this winter wonderland.



Our ride to the park


Enjoying the Schloss Garten






Where we made the "final decision" on our HHI show




Snow covered church




After throwing a few snow balls we decided to try the new fad in Erlangen, bubble tea shops. We rode to one of the three newly opened shops and thoroughly enjoyed a Mango milk tea with tapioka bobos.

It was a great Saturday!

The Next Four Months.

We are finally back in Germany after a wonderful time at home with family and friends. While we were home we spent time catching up with family and announcing our new return date. Although we originally planned on going back to the States in July, we are now planning on moving late April/early May. This means that we have four months left in Germany. This is so strange to think about. There is still so much to see, do and plan before the movers arrive.

One thing that we finally accomplished was having Phil's frisbee team over for a spaghetti dinner last night. I wish that I had taken pictures of the evening because we had a great time. I prepared a few types of pasta and 5 cheese sauce, meatballs in meat and marinara sauce and a vegetable bolognese. The pasta combined with bruschetta and garlic bread ended up being a hit. It was great to be able to thank the team for welcoming us into their group when we first arrived in Erlangen.

We are in the planning process of having family over to visit in March. We may even meet up with them in Copenhagen, which I am really excited about, before heading to our neck of the woods with everyone. It is so much fun to show off our little town and Bavarian living.

We also just planned a trip to Vienna over Easter break. This will most likely be our last trip in Europe before heading home.

Just in case all of this is not enough we will also be heading back to the States at least once to celebrate the marriage of some dear friends in Orlando.

Lots to do and a lot to blog about. I look forward to capturing these last four months and recording all of the memories so that I can re experience it all years from now.

As it all winds down and I am so grateful for this incredible adventure.

Counting down the days

In four days we will be getting on a plane headed home to see family and friends. We have A LOT to get done before Saturday including somehow getting all of our bags under 50lbs. We will be flying into Charlotte to see friends and pick up a few last minute gifts. After a few days in North Carolina we will be getting back on a plane and flying down to Florida to visit Phil's family to celebrate together. After visiting with all of them we will then spend a few days with my family in South Carolina.

Although Phil has to head back to Germany for work before the New Year, I will be staying stateside for another week or two.

I can not wait! I am also really grateful to be able to live in Germany and still get the chance to spend time with family over the holidays.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Christkindlsmarkt

Upon arriving in Nuremberg we were greeted by the Christmas angel.


We had to make way for the carriage rides.


We are here! After battling the crowds we eventually made it to the center of the market.


I love the variety of crafts and treats being sold at the Christmas market. This along with the delicious smells helps to create a very warm experience.

A few of our favorite vendors.







We even saw the famous fig people.



After several hours at the market we decided to head back into Erlangen to get off our feet. On the way to the train station we passed a women selling roasted chesnutts.


We also passed a few street performers and beautiful lights on our way home. It was a great evening and I am so glad that we still have the rest of December to enjoy the Christkindlmart.