April 20,2012 Rhinestein Castle

On our way to Baded-Baden we stopped at another castle called Rhinestein.This castle is still in tack in was very nice. Prince Fredrich and his family lived here as used this as there summer home.Fredrich died here and is buried in the family crypt.This castle even had there own church.Some of the rooms are furnished as they were in the time that they lived there.They had a nice cafe overlooking the Rhine and Sam and I decided to have a glass of wine and enjoy the view.We also ordered some salami,cheese and grapes and this is what we got. A small pizza. it was very good though. We certainly are enjoying our time along the Rhine.Sorry but I'm having posting my photos to my blog. Will try and get it figured out somwhere down the road.

April 19,2012 Castles

Today we took the scenic road down the Rhine and saw many castles.We stopped in a small town called St.Goar.They have a castle here called Rhinefels.In it's time it was the largest on the Rhine and was built in 1248.In 1797 when the French Revolution came about it was destroyed.We stopped to explore the ruins.

After touring the castle we continued on to the town of Bacarach.Bacarach is known for their vineyards and they have a lot of good wine.There is still part of the old wall and gate entering the town.In the town they have the oldest house dating back to1368.Altes Haus is a red and white house that is tilted.It's amazing it's still standing.

April 18,2012 Gothic Cathedral

This morning we went to Germany's largest Gothic Cathedral begun in 1248. In the square in front of the Cathedral there is the original Roman gate.

The Nave of the church is huge with a 140ft ceiling with lots of stained glass to cover 3 football fields.For hundreds of years it sat unfinished.The stained glass windows in the front are medieval.

Geo-Crucifix -chapel of the cross features the oldest surviving crucifix from north of the Alps.If you would like a great view you can climb 509 steps to the cathedral's south tower.We declined.

April 17,2012 Koln

This morning after we got up we went back to the camping store and spent another 3 hours.So much for getting a early start.We finally headed for Koln,Germany.Koln is Germany's fourth largest city and sits on the Rhine.It also has Germany's largest Gothic Cathedral.We arrived at a camperstop on the river and it's rainy and cold.Tomorrow we will go into town and see the Cathedral.

April 13,2012 Van Gough

Today started out bad on Friday the 13th.First I misplaced my train ticket and had to have someone by me another card. Then I decided to ride my bike to the train station and fell off it. Not once but twice.This may not be a good thing this bike.We finally got into Amsterdam and Sam wanted to go to the Dutch Resistance Musum.This museum shows how the Dutch resisted the Nazi occupiers from 1940 to 1945. When the Dutch were liberated they used the Nazi helmets as bedpans.We walked all over to find this museum.It's not as well known as the others.There are many museums in Amsterdam and it would take more than a week to see all of them. The next place we went was the Van Gough Museum.We got to see over 2 hundred of his original paintings including the well known Sunflowers,Potato Eaters,And the Bedroom.Vincent killed himself at the age of 37.Sorry no pictures allowed in the museum.We didn't get back till late and will see the rest of the sights when we come back in October.

Old Church                                                                             
                                                                           

Van Gogh Museum

April 12,2012 Amsterdam Day 2

As usual we got a late start today into Amsterdam.We had a better plan than yesterday and decided to go to the Amsterdam Museum.The weather turned out sunny today and made for a more enjoyable day.This town is so full of people that you can hardly move down the street.I think mostly tourists.There is a famous wooden house near the museum that dates back to 1528.It is the oldest building in Holland with a wooden facade.The Amsterdam Museum is housed in a 500 year old orphanage.It takes you through the beginning of Holland to the present day.Holland is a city of freedom. Prostitution is legal as is marajuana.There are coffee shops all over as well as sex shops.Everyone seems to congregate at Dam Square.This is the center and everything spreads out from there.The City Hall is located there and was built in 1648.It was the finest in Europe at the time. Having a good time.