Germany's Romantic Road

After a night in Regensburg, we set off to travel the middle part of the Romantic Road, our first goal...Nordlingen.

First though a few notes about the Czech Republic...It is a country still recovering from the terrible years under Soviet rule...the people often seem a little bleak and untrusting.  The country  has lots of disrepair and sadness to overcome.  The Communists are a major party there and many fear their resurgence.  Those things being said, it is a country of great possibilities and one that could and should have foreign investments to aid in their recovery.  Opportunity is there.

A couple of other observations....there are an inordinate number of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in the Czech Rep.  We found that rather amusing.  Of course McDonald's and
Burger King are there too.  And there are SO many trucks on the streets and highways moving goods everywhere.  It is not uncommon to see up to 50 trucks traveling in the right lane of a freeway  one after the other.  This is true in Germany too.

On our way into Germany, we came upon a railroad crossing where the crossing gate was being lowered manually by a woman cranking big wheels to move the gate down into position...she must have some big muscles!!!

The ancient medieval towns along the Romantic Road are  out of Grimm's fairy tale books, so quaint, beautiful and totally wonderful.  We passed through Nordlingen, wandered through Dinkelsbuhl and landed for the evening in Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, truly a special end to the day.  We plan to do a walking tour tomorrow of this magical place.

We are staying the night at the Burg-Hotel, an absolute treasure in a building in the old city wall that was once a monastery in the 1400s.  It is top notch while remaining historic and  enchanting.  We are on the 3rd floor and there are no elevators.  The owner said the building was constructed in the 9th century and "there were no elevators then".  The climb is worth it, believe me.  The views are lovely.

The owners have a restaurant across the street that serves wonderful food and delicious desserts, all in a beer garden that is really a lovely flower garden.  What place to finish the day.

Finally, we had a clear, warm blue day and the landscapes were as pretty as pictures all the way. Tomorrow will be a treasure too and we will stay here one more night because we like it so much!