The Fall Months

A small town in Germany (Bad Durkheim) throws a big party each September. Around a million people visit the Sausage Fair (Wurstmarkt). Essentially this is a wine festival of immense proportions, with sausage on the side. Bands, music, fairground rides, wine tastings, and firework spectaculars add to the fun and frolics. Held in a tented fairground over two long weekends, this is a hectic-paced party that keeps going through the night and into the early hours. We spent an afternoon there on September 8th, with our friends Edna and Chuck, but didn't take any pictures except for a beautiful garden we saw on the way to the fest.

The following Saturday (9/15) we went to a wine tasting sponsored by a co-worker of Edgar's. Everyone bought a bottle of red wine from a specific region of France and they were bagged to hide the labels and we tasted and rated. At the end, points were tallied and the winner of the favorite won a beautiful decanter. And the winner of the loser got a prize too...but I can't remember what it was! There were about 30 people there. Good food and drink!!

The next day (9/16), we did a picnic with our German neighbors. The weather was perfect...low 80's with a light breeze. We hiked about 4km (one way) with 12 or so adults, 10 kids and one dog (Schotzie, of course). The hike took us through numerous vineyards and portions were at a good uphill grade. I'm surprised the kids made it. We even had one in a hiking stroller!!



About 30 minutes in, we stopped for a rest (under the premise that the kids needed a rest). Out popped the wine bottles and we all had a glass (yes, a real glass...we hike in style here) and some snacks. Then off we continued to our final destination.

The view was gorgeous, overlooking the vineyards and the Rhine river. We ate and drank for about 2 hours. The best part is that Gabby's husband Peter was coming late (he was with his son Johannes at a handball game) so he drove there with 2 more coolers filled with more wine and drinks for the kids. I have no idea how much we drank and ate, but it sure was relaxing. Edgar bought a football and it got tossed around, to the chagrin of Schotzie, who ran back and forth barking, between the tossers.



Edgar set the timer on his camera to get a group shot. It didn't turn out as well as we hoped, but here we are....

Later on that night we went to a local show with Gabby and Peter to see the German version of Stomp. It was MUCH better than the one I saw at home. Less intense noise and just really good use of ordinary objects to make noise. There was only a short dialogue, so we didn't get lost trying to understand!!

This weekend (9/21-9/23) is a big bazaar on the Army Air Field where vendors from numerous countries come and sell their wares. I've heard it's a great time and lots of cool things are available for purchase.

The bazaar was excellent. I came home with a case of wine, cheese, clothing, Polish Pottery and a few Christmas gifts. On Saturday we went hiking to Loreley, about 40 minutes from our house. Edgar saw a castle that he wanted to explore. We drove into the town and then hiked up a pretty good sized hill with a lot of stone steps. The view along the way was gorgeous. That's the Rhine in the background.

The hike only took about 15 minutes but when we got to the top, it turned out that the castle is privately owned and doesn't accept visitors. Bummer!!! So then we just strolled around the town till we found a spot to sit down and have a beer. We took this pic of the castle from the town.

On Sunday, we had a big cookout with over 50 people. The invitees were a diverse group...some German neighbors (who speak only German), some German neighbors (who speak English too), co-workers from Edgar's work, and some friends I've made since we moved here. Everyone contributed a dish to share. Our neighbors brought over a self-cooling keg of beer (we need those in the US!) and I made a huge batch of ribs and brats. The weather was absolutely gorgeous....low 80's and sunny. It was a great party!!

I'm off to the States for a bit, so it will probably be quiet on the blog front for a while. Hope to see as many of you as I can while I'm home!!

Tschuss!!

(That means "See You!")

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

While I was back in the US, Edgar participated in the annual grape harvest run by his office. This harvest will actually become bottles of branded wine that his office can sell....and it's pretty good too!!

He also went hiking in the Austrian Alps. Here are some shots of that trip: