In the Mountains

Visiting Maria

After a sweltering week, we went to a higher elevation, slightly more agreeable in temperatures. We had church and dinner, then went for a walk in scenery. 

Somebody brought dinner, made the day before 


In the mountain forest


Complete with finger

For the views

Local fauna

All summer cattle, calves, swine, and goats graze up here to their hearts content.

They are brought down in the fall in a flowery and costumed grand march.


The tourists get the local brew: apple


An old-timer car meet-up was just dispersing.

That building is a Käserei (cheese making), so we went to see it.

No more huge copper pots over an open fire in a little log house. 

Choices


And more ripening


With things for the visitors 


Then the walk back, picking wild strawberries. The wild blueberries in the moorlands are just starting to ripen.





Welcome shade


And back to Maria’s chalet for dessert: apricot and strawberry crumble with whipped cream and currents.

So started the week. 

Stein am Rhine, Continued

Moving On

A farmers market was just closing.

Saints and martyrs




Then we turned in to see the old poor folks’ accommodations, vagrant quarters, and drunks lock up.


“For the sick, poor, and old “







The courtyard of the poor folks building

Now clean and renovated for offices.

A back street 


Pretty doorways

Then Mary wanted to set foot in Germany, so we took a walk…

Out of town…

Below the castle…

To the unused border station 

Grenzstein means boundary stone

Thus


Officially in another country

D = Deutschland 


Evidence 


The toll house


Then we went down to greet Old Father Rhine


Then visited a church

Obviously Reformed: no cross, little art.


With a fine organ


Then headed back to the car, quite thoroughly toasted and roasted 




With intent to see the Rhine Falls up the river a bit - later

Fully Open

Amaryllis 

In the evening light

Stein am Rhine

Summer Day Excursion 

This little walled town is notable for its painted buildings. Historic murals adorn many of the old facades. 

The approach

The entrance, on foot only


First view


Note the fountain in front of the shop. The water is drinkable, and got used. It was a murderously hot day.

The town takes its flowers seriously.

Yes, tourism is their business 


Note the bug on the stag


Another fountain


Mary was here!





Painted buildings!





No longer politically correct, but still historical, “The Moorish King”


A happy sun

And all of these have stories….




Mosaic in the cobblestones….


….at the hotel of the eagle…..


…..with a restaurant.


More to come…