The rest of the trip...

In the end, we tried to get our feet into as many countries as we could.  Being that we were right near the German-Austrian-Swiss border, it worked well for us.  After Neuschwanstein castle, we drove to Austria to stay the night.  And those three sitting in the back seat were MOSTLY a joy to have a long on the ride.  Believe me, we had a ride--1300 kilometers in 3 days!!!

We were kind of nervous to try another hostel after our Paris experience, but this hostel in Austria was wonderful.  You can tell by Annie's face that she is greatly relieved.  it was this really cool remodeled building--Miranda thought maybe a train station?

.Jon and Ian figured out how to get us into Switzerland without having to pay the toll (something outrageous like 100 Euros).  So we did it.  

How would you like to have this for a backyard? 

Can't help it, everytime I see this picture I think..."the hills are alive, with the sound of music..."

 

Those tiny Swiss roads were just as you can see, narrow, winding, and rarely ever level, with hardly enough room for two cars to pass each other.  And It seemed that we were always going up or down.  Now picture this road in the towns, with tall homes, and walls built right up next to the road.  Sure glad Jon was there to do the driving!!  Thanks Jon!

We followed Lake Constance on our way back around Switzerland, Austria and Germany.  It was gorgeous.  The lake is huge, and the town were like seaside resorts.  There were vineyards everywhere, and I can't imagine how beautiful they would be when the leaves are all out.  If I ever get back there, a town called Fredrichshafen is on my list to visit.  It looked so inviting.

Here's me at this overlook, admiring the villa, amid the vineyard, right by the lake.  If I could pick somewhere to spend the remainder of my days, this place would make the short list.  Ian had said that Germany had a lot of Italian influence, and after seeing this countryside, I totally believe it.  This is what I would imagine an Italian countryside to look like.

One of the last stops.  The Black Forest near Triberg.  Well known for cuckoo clocks and black forest cake.  

This was the waterfall that we came to see.  It said that it's one of the biggest waterfalls in Germany.  Sorry to say, Idaho probably has Germany beat there, but a short hike, and fun stop nonetheless.

We stopped for an authentic German meal in a Heidelburg.  We probably could have spent some good time exploring this city as well, with the river, and the castle, but passed on through anxious to get back to Miranda's.  We tried spaetzle, and jaegersnitzel at this cute place, and it was really good.  We had worried if the kids would branch out to eat, and Jake stressed if he would find something he liked--it was opposite here tonight while Jake cleared his plate, and Josh would hardly try a single bite.  (It might have been becuase he really wasn't feeling well at this point.)

Back to Miranda's that night, and off early for the airport in the morning.

All smiles.   

Jon said that this trip was, 

"one of the highlights of my life."  

It really was so great to see such wonderful things, have spectacular weather, and to be able to share it with our kids.  Thanks Miranda and Ian for living there so we could come and visit!