Day 19 - Stuttgart , Germany - Europe 2022

Day 19 - Stuttgart, Germany 

Spent the morning finding lodging for a rather impromptu weekend trip to the Black Forest. It took quite a long time and we hoped the accommodations we picked would be ok. There weren’t too many choices available.

After lunch Vanessa and I headed to Stuttgart. We drove about 15 or 20 minutes to a train station. It offers all day parking for just 1 euro.

Vanessa bought tickets for our trip on the transit app. The train company is trying to get rid of all physical ticket machines, but due to pushback from tons of folks, they have postponed the ticket machine removal.

The train ride was a straight shot into downtown Stuttgart. 

We got off at the station near the Markthalle Stuttgart and the pedestrian shopping area.

There was a church on the way to the market and we wanted to check out the inside. From the outside we could hear organ music. Once inside I realized it was the most amazing and unusual church organ music I had ever heard. It lasted just a few exciting and resonant minutes, then abruptly ended. As we exited we saw a poster announcing a summer organ concert series by internationally-renowned organists. Apparently we had caught a warmup session.

Just before entering the market we passed a public bathroom. That was open and free. It was very unusual but appreciated.

It was interesting and enjoyable to “window shop” at the booths in the market. There weren’t many obviously vegan baked good options, but I did get a pretzel for a euro. This was one of my “to-do in Germany” items. Even better, it was softer, fluffier, and more delicious than I expected.

We wandered toward the palace and spent the afternoon wandering up the palace grounds, essentially urban green space. There were flower gardens, fountains, ponds, and playgrounds. There was an excellent zip line that was perfect for adults as well.

Construction and random closures of the pedestrian walkways (for a special event that evening?) caused problems getting to a train station in that area. We wandered getting more frustrated as seemingly every way we could go was eventually blocked. We did make it to the station eventually and caught the train back to the car.

At home we made dinner, ate, and showered, excited for tomorrow.

Days 16 -18 - Althütte, Germany and Surrounding Areas - Europe 2022

Days 16 -18 - Althütte, Germany and Surrounding Areas

Edon had to work this week, so only did one activity with me. He joined our friends (minus Kyle) and me to find the mysterious second arm of the Strümpfelbachtal. We did not succeed. He did accompany Kyle to the gym a couple of times. Kyle stopped on the way home after one gym trip and got a cooked, hot pizza from a vending machine. 

The rest of the week, I kept busy doing a variety of activities close the house. Vanessa, Miles, and I made a short shopping trip to Baywa in a nearby town. Bayway is like Lowes + a little bit of Walmart + a liquor store. Miles got a filter for his fish tank and a sundew. I picked up 3 bottles of cheap wine to use for cooking.

Next, we headed to Kaufland. It is a giant grocery store.  Unfortunately, we went during lunchtime, so I ended up shopping  hungry. It is very common for there to be food trucks outside of stores here to help people avoid this problem. I didn’t get anything at the food truck, so I ended up buying way too much food at the grocery store. I also bought a bottle of Havana Club 7 Rum, as requested by Edon.

Also this week Kyle brought me on a walk to his favorite spot, a nearby hill with 360 degree views of the area. It has benches, including one with a handle you can use to spin the bench. It offers especially gorgeous views at sunset. 

Miles and I went on a bike ride around town and to his lake. Trying to show Miles how easy it was to ride a bike down a small set of stairs I fell off my bike and tumbled right into a raspberry bush. A thorn went into my thumb and my legs received quite a few minor scrapes.

That evening Miles and I tried again to find the missing branch of the Strümpfelbachtal. No success again! On th way back we lost the path and ended up walking through a field of tall grass. It hid the stinging nettle from our eyes, but not my legs or Miles’ arm. Ticks were also in the grass and found Miles. My legs were quite the sight that evening!

Vanessa, Miles, Kyle, and I went to Murrhardt Falls, by car this time. We parked further downriver than I had walked the other day and planned to hike toward the waterfall. Vanessa read the warning sign posted, similar to the one I couldn’t read the other day, and it informed us the barefoot path was closed. It was not exactly clear which path that was, but we had boots and shoes and weren’t walking up the stream, so went on our hike. The hike to the waterfall was muddy in places, but beautiful - running along the stream and surrounded by towering trees. Kyle and Miles opened the gate for the waterfall. Then, we headed back to the car. After dinner I went for a walk to the scenic hill and caught a bit of the sunset before the rain clouds rolling in sent me home.

It was a full and enjoyable 3 days!