Sunny Fall Days

Mia's one week fall vacation started with blue skies and sunshine so we tried to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.
First we used the last day of the boat service on the Neckar for a ride to the "Alte Brücke" - the old stone bridge.

On the other side of the river we went up the Philosopher's way with its famous view

The next day we did a little road trip. First stop was Mchelstadt - an historic town in the Odenwald about 60 minutes away in Hesse

Then it was only a 30 minute drive to Miltenberg on the river Main and already in Bavaria

The green building could be the oldest guesthouse in Germany: The Gasthof "Zum Riesen" was first mentioned 1158 and today's building is from 1590. Parts of the Gothic predecessor remain in the building.

It housed guests from Emperor Barbaossa, Wallentein to Elvis Presley

Mia was more interested in a round of miniature golf  by the river

Fall colors on the drive back

We arrived back in Heidelberg just after sunset

A visit by Barbara

About one and a half year after meeting Barbara in Washington DC we saw her again in Heidelberg. After having finished her last project in Ghana she now stays with her brother in Frankfurt while looking for the next job opportunity.
We picked her up at the train station and then took her on a little boat ride that left not far from our place and went to the old town - which was free for all with a job ticket

After a walk in the old town we had lunch in an old restaurant

Barbara had developed a taste for beer in Africa

In the afternoon she joined us when Mia met some friends at a playground not far from her school

 The river was just a few steps away - the island is where the Romans had build a bridge about 80 AD

Halloween Party at School

The last day of school before the one week fall break ended with a big Halloween party in the evening that the nice ladies from the after school care program had organized.
Mia dressed up as a pirate

Fair in Speyer

When we went to Spery for "Türöffnertag" earlier in October we saw the announcements for  big fair which we wanted to check out.
After a very long bus ride from Heidelberg we first had some fresh Reibekuchen (potato pancakes( for lunch

Then Mia wanted to try the jumping

 She manages some flips

There was a great view from the ferries wheel

Mia also liked the simple rides

There was a music performance for kids in the beer tent

Mia likes crepes - simply with sugar and cinamon

The last ride befor heading back to Hiedelberg

Wine Tasting in Deidesheim

After buying some good Gewürztraminier from Deidesheim - a village in the Palatia (Pfakz) region across the river Rhine - at a store in Heidelberg we decided to go to the source and sample some wines in Deidesheim. Thanks to the "Job Ticket" the whole family can go for free on the weekend.

One can sample the wines at the 130 year old building of the local wine co-op.

The lady there recommended the local Riesling.

After some sampling we bough five bottles of different wine for about 5 Euro each.

Then we headed for a small park next to an old castle with exotic trees and a little playground

Mia also likes to balance when we are not on a playground

An old mansion was turned into a restaurant

The center of the village was nice as well and had some gourmet restaurants and fancy hotels

The trip ended on the huge Alla Hopp playground which we know from an earlier trip