Edersee, our travel plan for this year 2020

 

Hi everyone

 

So this year has been a little different for us all.  Here in Germany, we have been very good at wearing our masks, social distancing and washing our hands.  Because of this, we are allowed to travel.  We have chosen to only travel within Germany.  This year we traveled with our friends Rosi and Günther to the Edersee, the Eder Dam, here in Hessen.

The Edersee was built between 1908 and 1914.  It was blown open by a torpedo bomb in 1943 by the British.  It was repaired and is still working today.

There were three towns that were flooded when the dam was made.  When the water is low, you can visit remnants from those towns.  Very interesting.

It is a recreational dam area complete with swimming, boating and bike paths all around the lake.  It also has a Castle because we are in Germany and castles are everywhere. Castles, I believe, are the original proof of German engineering.

So we traveled there and spent two nights at a family run hotel.  Definitely German in style.  The view from our rooms was fantastic and we had a lovely time.  A great break from the reality of life right now.  Three days of no TV or news!

All right, so here we go...

So this is the dam.  While we were there the dam was only 50% full.  This year has been a very dry summer so they have used the water from the dam to fill the Weser river which is used for shipping.  The folks around the Edersee are not so thrilled with this.

Here is the group using the selfie stick.  We are just so "hip".  The beautiful dam in the background.

Here is a pic of Rosi and me on walkway over the dam.  Beautiful old stone dam.  Yep, my hair is now filled with "natural" highlights.

A picture of Wolfgang in the viewing area on the dam looking below the dam.  

The little white flecks are swans.

Wolfgang and Günther were the president and vice president of our local bird and nature club for years.  I have no idea why this momument is here but I thought a picture by the biggest nest was appropriate.

 

OK, so this dog was truly an original breed for me.  The owner said he is a breed that comes out of Mexico.  I have never seen anything like him.  No hair and black as coal.  Of course, we are in Germany, dogs get to go everywhere and they are ALWAYS well behaved.  I always say that in my next life I am coming back as a dog in Germany.  It is a fabulous life.

 

We were driving around the lake and came to the End Station.  It is the last location for the ferry that cruises the lake.  You can take your bike on the ferry and get off at one of the stations and ride the rest of the way on one of the wonderful bike paths.  If you love to bike, Germany is made for you.

So as I said, the dam is only 50% full but that does not stop the ferry.  They just load and unload on the dirt because the real location is no where close to where they can boat.

Afternoon break at the End Station.  The ladies had cappuccino and the guys beer.  I would have rather have had a beer but I was the driver.  That first swig of beer is always the best.

As I said, the Edersee has a castle, Schloss Waldeck.  You can take a cable car up to the castle or drive.  The castle is a restaurant and hotel.    The view is wonderful.

One thing I have learned about castles is that the first gate is never the last gate.  Usually there are two or three and the climb to the top is usually steep.  The cobblestone streets are beautiful but can be a little slick on the walk back down.

 

 I love cartoon board pictures.  You know the things where you just show your face and take a picture.  I think this is what this is  for because I have no idea other than someone like me yelling "oh take my picture in this".

 

So I am not sure if this needs a caption.  Big Guns!

OFF WITH HER HEAD!

A view of the dam from the castle.  You can see how low the water level is because usually the peninsula is not there.

A benefit of the low water table is the fact that we could visit the Asel bridge.  Usually it is under water and is from one of the three towns that was flooded when the dam was made.  Amazing that is still standing perfect.

You can see the path we took from the side of the dam.  It is so strange to think that we were walking where usually it is full with water.

 

 

 Well we thought we would do alittle paddle boating but hey, where is the water?

 

OK, so there was some water and our pal here was having a fabulous time.  Just so you know there was a definite line between the white fur and the muddy fur below but hey, he wasn't getting in our car!

Günther did not have an interest in hiking over to the bridge so he unpacked his camping chair and enjoyed some time in the sun.

Well here is a little American fun in Germany.  This is a Motel that is old west theme.  We had lunch here.  Tex Mex Fries - chili fries.  It is a huge meeting place for motorcycle riders.

 

 

 Each room has a name.  I have no idea who Old McSvenson was but he got a room.  The bikes are available for renting.  On the weekends there is usually music and BBQ but not this year.

 

Finally, a picture board.  Now the vacation is complete.  Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty.

Günther found the best seat in the house, the Jack Daniels rocking chair.  Of course, I am not so sure if you should be in a rocking chair after drinking Jack Daniels.

The highlight of our trip was the rental of an electric boat for a cruise around the lake.  It was so quiet because it was electric.  The weather was perfect and there was a lovely breeze.  We just needed a little Frank or Dean singing in the background.

 

 

 Our driver.  Look no hands!

 

The back seat crowd just enjoying the ride.

Me with my sun visor and wrinkles.  Just forgot to iron my neck this morning.

The fabulous four enjoying the day. 

 

 

The dam from water level.  The water was warm and there were lots of swimmers.

 

Voted most original.  Sailboat towing two Unicorn floats!  I should have taken a video of this because it was so funny to see the two unicorns riding across the water.

This is one of the ferries that travel around the dam.  It has a restaurant and bar onboard.  Of course, every afternoon there is coffee and cake.  In Germany, there is always coffee and cake available somewhere in the afternoon.  Kind of like beer is available EVERYWHERE!

A swan with one foot out of the water.  I think he was flipping us the bird!

 

 

 When three people sit together on a log, this is just a natural picture.

 

Our wonderful hotel, Seehotel Andree.  It was great.  A direct view of the lake, breakfast included with the room.  Every room with a balcony and a complete restaurant for dinner.  Of course, coffee and cake.

The blog would not be complete without a picture of a nice refreshing beer. Hmmmm...

 

 

 Edersee Forelle (trout).  Was absolutely delicious but just reminded me of a hammerhead. 

 

 

 

Our room at night was incredible.  There are no lights around the lake so the stars are everywhere.  We watched the moon rise over the mountains.  We also saw 3 comets and watched satellites heading over. 

 

 

The morning before we left to head home.  What a view.  Edersee was a great place to visit.

 

 

So that was it for this year.  A lovely, calm three days to enjoy the beautiful weather and a beautiful lake.

 

Be good to each other, wear a mask, no hugging, and always remember to WASH YOUR HANDS

 

Love to all

 

Wolfgang and Sarah

 

Finally got to Ireland

Hi everyone,

Well, better late than never right.   This year, we finally got to Ireland and like everyone else that has ever visited the Green Isle, all we can say is that it was fabulous.  The land, the food, the people and just the experience of being there was as good or better than we have heard.  We did a seven day bus tour with Troll Tours (love the name) and visited a great deal of the country.  Our bus never took a freeway and we wandered through the countryside every day.

We got to Dublin the day before our tour started and also had extra time at the end so we had time to enjoy a Guiness at the Guiness store and everywhere else along our journey.  So here we go with a million pictures.  Not all with captions but if I think you need a little "splaining" I have done so.

Our first section is from Dublin.  What a wonderful city.  We were able to take a guided tour through Trinity College, including the library.  Our college tour was great because they are given by the students of Trinity.   A great way to see it all through the eyes of a student.   Dates and times were not as important as who did what scandalous thing and where.  Of course the library was the highlight.  I was just impressed by the books and the wood while others were impressed because it was used in the Harry Potter movies.  Something I have never viewed and probably never will.

A visit to the Temple Bar district is a must.  Had great Irish stew and great live Irish music at the Oliver St. John Gogarty bar.  We got to keep the fabulous hats!

Our favorite door

Beautiful Cathedral and gardens.  Notice the sky was blue!

Well we went to the Guinnes Store.  Truly a memorable experience but I cannot say it was in a good way.  Too loud, too many people and maybe we were just too old.  Did receive a free beer so a small plus.  I personally think they should sell T-shirts that say "I survived the Guinness Store".  I would have purchased it.

Stopped on a Sunday morning at the Temple Bar.  Perfect time to go.  Live music but no lines.

Just loved this

Oh that Sweet Molly Malone.  Alive, Alive Oh!

Just hanging out on one of the bridges

Our guides for our Trinity Tour.  These are suppose to look like the robes that all had to wear early on but I think you really had to imagine that.

The Irish Harp is the symbol of Ireland.  Now they say that Guiness had to flip theirs backward for their brand symbol' but Guinness will tell you that Ireland had to flip theirs backward.

There is that Irish Stew.

A little fun everywhere.

The shortest I have ever been!

Bachelor party.

Guiness store souvenirs

Fish and Chips

Love the pubs!

Onto the next area to visit Kilkenny.  Of course the ride there was wonderful and the castle was beautiful.  The town was adorable.

Hey, it's me, can't go past the animals!

Riding along the Ring of Kerry.

A lunch place along the way.  It was delicious!

The Rock of Cashel.  Cold and windy.  Perfect way to see ruins!  Had apple pie in a little hole in the wall with a lovely garden.

Quite a color don't you think!

Loved the Thatched Roofs.  Not too practical in California.

Lovely little gardens everywhere.

OK, so I tried Guiness once in the US and did not like it.  Here, the drink of choice!

Heading to Connemara area of Ireland.  We visited two wonderful places.  First the homestead of Dan O'Hara and then Kylemore Abby.  So Connemara is famous for peat bogs and we visited a peat bog farmer owned by a "poor" Irish farmer named Martin.  Martin created a wonderful fictious story of a guy named Dan O'Hara who had to leave Ireland with his wife and seven children because of the English.  Martin built a little cottage just like the home Dan O'Hara would have had.  Martin told his story in a lovely Irish accent and added songs throughout.  He then served us all "Mountain Dew"-White Lightening.

Kylemore Abby is well known for its picture perfect location.  I had a poster of Kylemore Abby in my office for years.  Always wondered where it was and if I would ever see it.  Could not believe when I found out that it was a stop on our tour.  What a beautiful place.  Not just the Abby but lakes and hills all around.

We probably needed this on the bus.

Martin's tour bus for the ride up to the peat and Dan O'Hara's homestead.

Our Guide and Martin with the peat behind them.  Thank God I understand English because the wit of the Irish just cannot be translated.

Martin told us that he is just a poor Irish peat farmer.  He owns the land from where we are all the way to Galway.  I love his version of "poor".

Dan O'Hara's homestead

OK, so Martin asked if I was Irish.  I told him no but my first husband was Irish.  Now, my first husband past away at 54 years old so I told Martin that the Irish men don't seem to last long so the second husband is a German.  Martin suggested that maybe he could be my third husband.  I informed him that I was not interested in a "poor" Irish farmer!

Kylemore Abby.  Recognize it?

Wow the Cliffs of Moher.  Really high up!  Really windy! Really Beautiful.  I could hardly move when we were at the top of the cliffs and loved every minute of them from the boat tour we took.  The boat tour was great AND there were puffins.  You know the cute little bird that looks like a parrot can opener.

Do you see the Puffins?

Of course, lunch in a Pub!

Next stop on our tour was the oldest Distillery in Ireland, excluding Northern Ireland.  What a wonderful old place.  Of course, it included a tasting.  Always fun!

Our tour group.  Really a great group of people.  Everyone was fun.

Heading into Galway.  Our last stop on our tour before heading back to Dublin. Just an evening of wandering around.  Really a great tour.

Opel car.  I believe my sister had this in gold and black.  Wolfgang worked for Opel for 42 year!

Along the Way.  The following are just pictures from along the way.  Sometimes photos don't fit into a category but need to be included.

My knight in shining armor!

Had to take a ferry up to Galway.

The Burren Region.  

A couple of foxes!

Irish Coffee!

Rock walls from here to there!

Our favorite picture on the trip.  This is lake we hiked to outside of Dublin by Glendalough.  It sums it up perfectly!

 

So on to other places in the world to see but Ireland will ALWAYS be one of our favorites.  

So Top of the Mornin' to Ya!