LITTLE TREASURES by SYLVIA

We were fortunate enough to be able to go to Ramstein, Germany and visit my son and his family. The 10 days went so fast. Besides perfect weather, our trip planner (my son) did a wonderful job of finding interesting places to visit in a short time. We flew out of Des Moines about 1:30 Aug 28, layover in Charlotte NC leaving about 8:30pm for an 8 hr flight. Arriving in Frankfurt about 11 AM ..7 hour time change. We were to be at Terminal 2 according to the internet and our flight schedule. But they couldn't unload there so we taxied to Terminal 1, it created a BIG problem for Jeremy in finding us after about an hour or more of waiting and then asking questions on where is Flight 706. Oh at Terminal 1 ...so I truly don't know what time he arrived. It was THANKFULLY the only mix up we had. We just waited outside hoping he'd find us. We had no way to communicate with him. And find us he did.

We spent the first day Aug 29th enjoying their home, his grilling, and some friends he invited over. Needless to say the 2 grandgirls were our best enjoyment. Their home is unique with 3 floors of space, a garage for a tiny car (he has a Yukon)so he has storage! and backyard patio and a small yard for the girls to play in.

This is a side view of his home, he is in the middle of a 3 row housing unit, with 3 levels above ground. Kind of like our condo's but a bigger scale .

We spent the 2nd day Aug 30th going to Luxembourg, visiting General Patton's grave at the American Cemetery and Memorial . What a tribute to all of the men who sacrificed their life.
That evening we walked a few blocks to a great little place, Hotel Anna's, owned by an ex IOWAN, and had Schnitzel, beer and an evening walking tour of Ramstein. Got a good nights sleep only to leave at 4AM for our first adventure.

He used the USO tour buses and how nice to meet so many friendly people and the wonderful tour guides.

The third day Aug 31, Saturday we toured Brugge, Belgium. as a walking tour of this quaint little town with cobblestone streets visiting the Church of St Elizabeth, Church of Our Lady, Vismarket, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Burg Square, the Market former commercial center of the city. We stopped at an outside Pub and had a few beers and cheese with a young couple from England. We arrived back in Ramstein about 2:30AM . Took showers, a quick nap, dressed for the day and left at 4AM for our next tour.

Then on Sept. 1st Sunday our 4th ( for our 8th Anniversary) he sent us to Paris on another USO Kaiserslautern Tour, the bus would take us to a specific place gave us some time to take pictures etc , we had time to visit the Eiffel Tower , Notre Dame de Paris (more than 700 yrs old, ) a HUGE beautiful cathedral. The Arc De Triomphe, this was like the arch in St Louis, over looked Paris and all their magnificent buildings and streets., we had a few hours free time for seeing the EXPENSIVE shops and had lunch at an outside eatery. with an evening supper in the Latin Quarter area, at Au Bistro de la Montagne, a 5 course meal with wine and beer and live Accordion music, waltz and polka's. Then we were treated to an evening cruise on the Seine, seeing the City of Lights at night was an awesome experience. Arriving back in Ramstein about 4:30AM. We were able to sleep in til about 8AM and prepare to leave for Garmisch, Germany. We were amazed at the architecture in Paris. All the buildings in these countries are stone, brick or mortar..You don't see many wood framed structures. And most all of these buildings are VERY OLD.

The fifth day Sept 2nd we packed up 6 of us about 9:30 AM and drove to Garmisch, about a 5 hr drive to spend 4 nights at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort,in the Bavarian Alps, that was equipped with everything you needed to relax. (A swimming pool, and playground for the girls seemed just what we needed to wear them out!) He had arranged for my husband and I go visit Griesbrau Brewery a few miles away,on a tour, entertainment in the beer hall and a lovely Bavarian supper were very much enjoyed. And quickly off to bed.

Above and Below is the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort

Entrance to main gate at resort and surrounded by photo below also

The 6th day, Sept 3rd we all left on a USO tour bus about 7:30 that took us to Mils Austria for Breakfast at a SUPER beautiful McDonald's...The one side was all windows looking towards the snowcapped mountains. The food was excellent and there was no trash or untidiness here!!! Spic and Span. on to Fleur Pass Switzerland. We had an outdoor lunch at Wolfgang Pass outside of Davos, with extremely HIGH priced food, I settled for soup and some special bread. Switzerland was very pricey. then we were en-route to Vaduz, Liechtenstein, time for some shopping and another stop in Mils Austria on the way back. This was a long bus tour and curving roads and high elevations and motion sickness got to little Sky Lynn and her mother. But Jeremy was quick to respond in handing out little buckets provided. These 2 countries were the most beautiful, with mountains, snow capped and lots of flowers decorating the homes on hillsides. Several small churches in every little town. . Back to Garmish about 5pm. We had beer and supper at the Sportsbar, wings and fries. and a little time at the Casino,while the girls enjoyed the pool.

Waiting peacefully for our food, The girls got bored and we went to the playground. Thank goodness for that.

The 7th day Sept 4th we all left on a USO tour bus that took us to Italy. Leaving about 7 AM for a guided tour in the foothills of Dolomite Es, Our first stop was a photo stop at the Europa bridge then to Bolzano for lunch, it was Italian PIZZA and beer! and free time, a Museum of OTZI a 5,300 year old iceman at the South Tirol Museum of Archaeology . . This compact little city had charming shops and cafes, bakeries, and awesome little buildings. Then we stopped at a medieval town Vipiteno, known for its Italian wine and leather goods . Italy was VERY reasonable priced. Arriving back at Garmish about 8pm. I loved the cobblestone streets and all the little shops in Italy. Our tour guide these past 2 days was the same fun gal and she had the other passengers give a round of applause to the 2 grand daughters for being so good both days. And they were.

Italian Pizzaa!!

OTZI the Iceman the story was featured in National Geographic and it is an unbelievable discovery. His remains even have a special team of doctors to keep them at a perfect temperature, and a hospital room if electric goes out or there needs to be attention paid to this find.

Daddy and Summer taking time to catch up on much needed sleep. The girls were so good on this trip.

Sky enjoying a little nap...most days there were some naps being taken. Had to have energy for the swim pool in the evening

A little red passenger train, touring thru the countries.

The 8th day Sept 5th we left about 8:30 AM and we went on a small bus thru the countryside of Austria and Germany to the Ammertal Wood Carvers Shop,what fun things to shop for and a beautiful view of the mountains. Then to the WieBkirche, a pilgrimage church built in the country,near Steingaden. The inside of this was spectacular. We had some wonderful homemade LARGE glazed donuts and gift shops to visit. Then off to The Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle,is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. Details of King Ludwig II's life. Over 300 steps on this adventure!!! We had lunch at an outside eatery, with the great beer or wine, and I ordered Potato Pancakes. truly awesome.

Beautiful view of the countryside, as we were about to visit the Wood Carver's shop

A Pilgrimage Church

Magnificent inside

This was a delightful country setting.

Totally awesome bakery, made special for your tour bus.

A break on the way to the top of the castle. I think there were 300 steps or so

Summer switched her ways to travel up the steep hill.

Little Sky our runner, kept a pretty good pace with her daddy.

Made it to the top and toured the inside of this huge Castle. A photo from above of small villages

Arriving back at Garmisch about 5PM That night we went downtown to a wonderful old part of town to a German Restaurant with a man playing an accordion and songs like the Tennessee Waltz, Arrivederci Roma, Goodnight Sweetheart. Brought back so many memories of my dad, playing the waltz's and polka's most of his life. The girls danced and we were entertained by 2 young men doing the Slap Dance thing. Our food was excellent. I had the pork and dumplings with a wonderful cabbage. We had fun window shopping on the walk back to the car. The little girls and I had fun looking in a "MINATURE SHOP". They knew the name of every pan on the little stove.

A delightful evening of German music and food in downtown Garmisch

Dancing to some waltz's

A family who enjoys food!!!! Variety at this table Fries and Hot Dogs...Pork Knuckle, Oxen, Pork and Dumplings, Fish. ALL was VERY good.

Window shopping by " TheLittle Miniature" shop, the girls just loved this. They tried the door several times to see if we could go in. They loved the kitchen items. Stove and all the little tiny pans. They knew what a fry pan, soup pot, teapot, and tiny dinner dishes all were. They were just so excited!!!

We left Garmish Sept 6th about 9AM on our return home we stopped at a Burger King for lunch! Again another SPIC & SPAN eatery, and to let the little girls play at the playground. Our next break, an IKEA store, which I have never been to here in the states. Upon returning to Ramstein, we freshened up, repacked our suitcases, and went to the IOWA mans little restaurant Hotel Anna's, up the street for mostly beer and a good pizza. Our walk home showed we were all a bit tired. Upon returning home we went to bed early to be ready for our departure the next day Sept 7th to the Frankfurt airport about a 2 hr drive NW. Our flight left about 12:30 to return home. The airport was nice. Very easy to get in and out of.

A fun part of going home a stop at Burger King SKY LYNN

I can spend a lot of time in all these bubbles and you can't get to me!!! Summer Rose

On the downhill going to Hotel Anna's for a little libation.

Hotel Anna's for food and drink and a fun visit with an IOWA owner.

A TOAST OF THANKS to JEREMY and HELEN for inviting us and showing us a wonderful time.

The countryside was beautiful, lots of hills and mountains. Little farming communities, raising corn and hay fields. Scattered about were sheep, goats, and a variety of cattle. Quaint little homes and lots of neat and tidy areas. Flowers were always in abundance. Very FRESH air. Weather was very similar to Iowa's , 70's while we visited and that was great as there is no air conditioning.. Mostly all little cars. Mercedes, BMW's , VW's , Mini Coopers. with gas at 8.00 Euro so small is the only way to go!~ We saw small passenger trains, and over 22 tunnels. One was 10 miles long. Their lives seem quiet and peaceful. Except on the Autobon...no speed limit in most areas...100 mph is nothing, people in Porsche's passing at 130 mph. But yet not many accidents. Maybe cause no one is Texting, Using Cell Phones, or Having Lunch. Just paying attention to the highway.

A deep breathe and trusting your driver.

Farming is on a small scale. I think the hay fields and corn fields we saw were used by the farmer for their animals.

I don't believe there are any 2000 or more acres of farmland owned by 1 person here.

Probably not even 500 acres. We saw no BIG farm equipment like here in the states.

Cattle here, sheep, goats are pretty much higher in the mountains, but come down before snow sets in, with a party held to celebrate a good year. A few horses here and there. Everything was neat and tidy.

Yes a few wind generators

SKY loves to pick flowers....ever since she was in the stroller.

SUMMER taking a little walk in the back parking lot of their home area. 3 homes connected and J is in the middle. His Yukon is TOO big for the garage. Which serves as storage.

Jeremy informed me when he called that the Hotel Anna's man from Iowa had a stroke that following week. Only in his 40's, he is doing okay. But is taking time off and going on vacation. We wish him well.

I can never thank my son and Helen enough for letting us stay and showing us around. Jeremy is always so encouraging on us doing things, and traveling to wherever he gets assigned. I miss them so much and I miss seeing the girls growing up and visiting, but we've learned to cope. Thanks for SKYPE it keeps us updated a little.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed the photos. Over 1000 to sort thru. If not familiar with blogging you can leave a comment in the comment section below, by clicking on it and typing in the box.

I've been enjoying being creative. I've a special friend (and old classmate) who is having a birthday. She was so gracious last year to entertain 6 of us in her home for 2 nights and 3 days. Then blessed me with a visit the other day while visiting here with a fun Aunt of hers.

It's a long story but I had just returned from salvaging my dads sweaters from a church donation box and really needed someone to talk to!!!

I saw this idea about making things from sweaters and I remembered dad had so many nice ones. My sister had just gathered up his clothes when seeing in our church bulletin a Men's Shelter needed items and thought it the perfect time and place to dispose of them. When I called her about the sweater idea she had already taken them to a near by rural church for pick up. My heart just sunk.
I didn't sleep all night thinking about them and how nice it'd be to create something from dads sweaters. SO early the next day I asked my hubby if he thought I was being crazy about trying to retrieve them. And he kindly said if you want them go and see if they are there.. so I did.
A little nervous about it I parked my car and said a little prayer asking if I was really crazy doing this. But as I walked inside there they were sitting right in front all neatly packed in 1 box, just like they wanted to come back home. I breathed a sigh of relieve and said a thank you prayer, took the box and hurried away.

Only to get the phone call my friend was in town, could I meet her shortly!!" Wow what a great surprise" I said and " I'm on my way." And I told her the story...We all laughed and kidded about how crazy things happen and just tend not to go away from our little minds. So this little creation is being sent to her for making me feel so good, so many times.