Cafe Grether, Badenweiler GR

Another rainy day leads us back to Badenweiler to trek through wet streets and window shopping. We returned to our now favorite Cafe Grether where good kaffee and fresh homemade cakes are the specialty. Today was our third visit, and our third cake to try. We had a chocolate cherry tart. After sampling their candies on our last visit, I knew exactly which were my favorites, and made sure to stock up on candied fruit and champagne truffles.

I'm inspired by this simple, classy cafe, and hope someday to be able to create confections that rival their creations. Luke said the founder of Starbucks was also inspired by the European cafes he visited, but what he found enticing was the atmosphere and tranquility. Cafes here are an oasis from the hurry of daily life. Once you sit down to enjoy your coffee with friends or a good book, you're entitled to stay all day if you wish. That's a sweet welcome if you ask me.

Ruine Neuenfels, Schweighof

We hiked to the Neuenfels Roman Ruins Tuesday. It was 3 km up the mountain behind where we are staying. We didn't have high hopes for what we would find and I have to admit we were absolutely blown away. The view was phenomenal; 180 degree view of the German-French border. But the view wasn't even the best part!

The ruins were not just pillars and foundations as we'd expected, but a still standing fortress, which you could enter, and even mount the walls. So this phenomenal view was taken in from the top of the fortresses exterior wall, which was approximately 25 feet high and 5 feet deep. This fortress was built to stand the test of time. Luke liked climbing the walls, and I even got in on the action as I climbed into the windows. They were about ten feet high, and although I tried to climb up on my own using the rocks that jutted out, I only ended up falling on my butt in a briar patch. I finally made it with a lot of help from Luke. We had wanted to return to a cabin we'd passed on the trail for a picnic on Thursday, but the weather didn't permit and we grilled our Bratwursts at home, which was still tasty. The quietness here is amazing. During the hike, we were really able to get lost in the serenity of the mountains here (not lost in the mountains.)

Here's the map of our hike. You can even zoom in on the "B" to see the ruins, even though the imagery doesn't do it justice. But play with the map and you can see what we saw in aerial view.


View Larger Map

Schweigof, Germany

We arrived in Schweighof, Germany, Friday afternoon. I haven't had a chance to update b/c A. our host works from home so the computer is usually in use, or B. just plain busy.




Here is a map of the actual home we're at (zoom in!):
View Larger Map

It's very pretty here, and from some of the higher mountain look outs you can even see the alps in the far distance. We really haven't done much sight-seeing since arriving; Sunday we spent the day in Badenweiler visiting the castle (shown to the right), Roman bath ruins, and having lunch. The other time has been spent enjoying the view from the front porch while playing cards or just enjoying each others company. Today we spent the day at an Irish-Roman bath. Very refreshing!

We still plan to go hiking in the surrounding mountains (we'll make sure to bring bread crumbs to find our way home) and visit Scott's very extended family and the winery they own in the Alsace region of France. We're definately enjoying a rest in the mountains after our busy week in Paris. Pictures of the area will hopefully be uploaded before we leave for Berlin Friday.

Rainy days in Paris

A few odds and ends before I collapse into bed...

Today was spent making train reservations and hunting down the scenes of Amelie, one of our favorite french films. We found the cafe where Amelie would have worked, and shared a tasty Creme Brulee. Sacre Coeur was a dreary view of a rainy city, but the carousel below was playing Yann Tiersen and gave the moment a dreamy feel.

I really enjoy all the flowers in the city. Parisians are known for their "green hands" as they say, and it's true! Everyone has beautiful flower gardens, and the florists are so tempting when you pass. It's a very green city. The picture here is of the Luxembourg gardens.

We ate in the Latin Quarter, near San Michel; two pizzas for 5,80E= great deal. We sat on a stoop under an awning to stay out of the rain, and enjoyed our dinner. Afterward, we raced around the city getting night shots of the Louvre, then slowly made our way home.

To catch up- some of the big things we've done recently are Versaille's gardens, attended mass at Notre Dame, enjoyed many shots of espresso, seen the Arc de Triumph, and stumbled upon Celine Dion as she exited the Four Seasons.

Love, me

We made it!

Just wanted to let you know we made it! We're very tired, and ready to crawl into bed... it's 9pm here, but only 4pm in the states! We're not jet lagged though; we definately are ready for bed :) We have access to the internet and will upload pictures later when we get out and about!

 

Love you all,

Luke and Michelle

Saturday

A short update; Luke's all graduated, the apartment is empty, and we're staying at the Clay's. I just finished putting together an itinerary for Nice FR. There's the Marche aux fleurs, an entire market full of flowers, and old Nice, a medieval style neighborhood much like it's always been.

Tonight, I'm looking forward to pebble beaches, seaside picnics, and flower filled markets.

Almost there...

It's getting closer! The apartment's nearly packed, and I'm excited about my parents getting here this afternoon. 

Our backpacks are waiting by the door, ready to go. I'll be updating more when we leave. If you'd like to get an email when I post, either let me know in a comment or email me at michelledclay@gmail.com, and I'll set you up with a "subscription." wink wink.