Good Morning Frankfurt! Today we have a quiet, catch-up day...yes, we are learning to travel in at a slower, stop-and-smell-the-roses manner rather than driving like mad demons from place to place and not savoring each.
We hesitantly said 'goodbye' to wonderful Rothenburg (until next time) on Thursday morning after investing in a outrageously beautiful cuckoo clock. We set the GPS for "avoid freeways" and drove many miles through beautiful German countryside on winding, narrow, two lane road,s passing through little villages, many of which were very picturesque and a few, not so much!
We picnicked again by the roadside and enjoyed the spring weather. Unfortunately, even though Germany is generally incredibly clean, roadside stops are not. Trash everywhere and not a rubbish can to be seen.
Our first goal was Marnheim, where some of the Staats family emigrated from. The town was so-so
and the graveyard that we found had no stones with 'Staat's on them. We did learn from a friend of Wayne's that most graves are only maintained in original form for 30 years unless someone from the family tends them, so most likely the old Staats graves are long hidden. We do have an email address for the church near the graveyard and hope to email to see if their records contain any information. The German churches have traditionally be exemplary in keeping records a long way back, even prior to 1600.
The countryside is full of grape vineyards, acres and acres!! The various fruit trees are in bloom, especially what I believe to be pear trees...absolutely gorgeous. The only thing that disappoints are the many gigantic modern windmills that often splotch up the views. Bright yellow mustard fields stripe the farmscapes interspersing the barley fields, vineyards and other crops.
We have been amazed at the number of signs along the road promoting fresh "spargel" which is we found out is asparagus!! Tis the season for both white and green spargel. We tried to order some last night, but our hotel didn't have it.....annoying!!
We passed through Worms and hope to visit this city someday as it looks very interesting. We arrived in Frankfurt at our hotel around 7 p.m., had dinner at the hotel and called it a day. Today, we reorganize, do a little hand laundry, enjoy some down time relaxing a looking at the little lake and fountain just beyond our balcony. Tonight, we have dinner with old friends of Wayne's, and, Horst, one of the friends, has many things planned for Saturday and Sunday.
Until later....auf Wiedersehen.......
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