What an absolutely wonderful way to experience a small village then by drinking the local fair. The barkeep here at Motodrom is super friendly and very helpful. She obliging gave me some of the local history here in Kirschbaumwasen, Baden Wurtamburg, Germany.
Well worth seeing and spending the day here, great natural scenary with wonderful people, easily accessible by tram.
Tucked away in the Northwest section of Karlsruhe, Germany, this lovely cathedral is a hidden treasure…Thomas and I used our Schloss Card to locate this wonderful cathedral. We would have never known about it otherwise…. The Schloss Card (Baden Wurtämburg Province) has been absolutely amazing and has allowed us to gain access to places we would have never dreamed possible before–and all for the low cost of the Schloss Card.
It is a ‘newer’ addition to Karlsruhe, being built between 1889-1896.
I hope you enjoy the video tour I made.
Dining and Adventures together!! A splendid nook not known to many but well worth visiting–the views and ruins are amazing (and no, I did not go inside and break any rules–it is allowed!!)
The German word ‘Schloss’ has many meanings in English, it can mean ‘castle’ ‘Manor’ ‘Estate’ and so many more things!!! This particular ‘Schloss’ was residence of some nobility and a politcal statement of the noblemans success. The upper floor also hosts an amazing array of musical playing devices from the late 19th century and early 20th century. Well worth a visit and the self guided tour (audio head set is an option) is well worth it.
Thomas and I so enjoyed our day. Our schloss card is really paying off–what a way to adventure on a dime–mutiple venues for one flat price
Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.
St. George, a top a fountain, slaying the dragon. Ettlingen, Germany
St. George, doing his slaying, Karlsruhe, Germany
According to the Golden Legend, the narrative episode of Saint George and the Dragon took place somewhere he called “Silene”, in Libya; the Golden Legend is the first to place this story in Libya as a sufficiently exotic locale, where a dragon might be found. In the tenth-century Georgian narrative, the place is the fictional city of Lasia, and the idolatrous emperor who rules the city is called Selinus.[7]
The town had a small lake with a plague-bearing dragon living in it and poisoning the countryside. To appease the dragon, the people of Silene fed it two sheep every day. When they ran out of sheep they started feeding it their children, chosen by lottery. One time the lot fell on the king’s daughter.[8] The king, in his grief, told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter were spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, dressed as a bride, to be fed to the dragon.[7]
Saint George by chance rode past the lake. The princess tried to send him away, but he vowed to remain. The dragon emerged from the lake while they were conversing. Saint George made the Sign of the Cross and charged it on horseback, seriously wounding it with his lance. He then called to the princess to throw him her girdle, and he put it around the dragon’s neck. When she did so, the dragon followed the girl like a meek beast on a leash. The princess and Saint George led the dragon back to the city of Silene, where it terrified the populace. Saint George offered to kill the dragon if they consented to become Christians and be baptised. Fifteen thousand men including the king of Silene converted to Christianity. George then killed the dragon, and the body was carted out of the city on four ox-carts. The king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George on the site where the dragon died and a spring flowed from its altar with water that cured all disease
(text is from Wikipedia)
A fellow tourist summed it up perfect (excerpt from German Eagle)
The Cistercian monastery, origin of the town, was founded in 1149 by Berthold III von Eberstein and his wife Uta. It became economically successful, in the 14th and 15th century it prospered. However, the end came soon: In 1525 farmers plundered it, as a result of the Reformation it was closed down in 1534 and turned into a school. In the 30-years war the Swedish troops burned it almost completely down.
So, not much is left of the monastery buildings. The still existing choir of the former monastery church was incorporated in the construction of the ev. parish church. Best preserved is the so called “paradise”, the entrance hall of the former monastery church (pics 1 – 3). The “paradise” was built about the year 1200, in 1462 the beautiful gable in Gothic style was added. Portal and windows are still in Romanesque style. Inside are some old epitaphs.
The monastery grounds are still the heart of Bad Herrenalb. But nowadays you find things like the Kneipp bath (pic 4) and a monument (pic 5) on the grounds. Relics from the Cistercian era are also the parsonage and the adjoining house, some remains of the walls and a barn.
Access is free, always open. For the ev. church see separate tip.
Directions: Central location in town
Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.
Inside the church.Photography by Anna Potthoff.
.Photography by Anna Potthoff.
Splashing around in a Thermal Pool Together
Spending time with my sweetheart is such a joy–I asked a local woman what the open-air foot/leg bath and arm bath-trough was intended for–and she answered (with a smile) that it is for health and refreshment….exactly what we needed on a hot, hot summer day.
Thomas and I sluffed off our shoes and went for it. Wowser!! That water is cold but awesome–the floors of the pool (only about knee deep) is covered in bumps, creating a lovely, slighlty ticklish feeling…and it is truly refreshing… and it exfoliated our feet…no more callouses….Thomas is a trooper, for sure, willing to try anything and adventuring with my sweetheart makes it so much more enjoyable, laughing and trying it all.
Neither of us has ever been here before today…an adventure with laughter, beautiful scenery and soft feet after adventuring all day….it does not get any better than this–and it is a free venue located in Bad Herrenalb.
Thomas getting into the pool
Thomas enjoys the ‘arm bath’–very refreshing on a hot day.
Summer Pasta Salad
Summer Pasta Salad..My Recipe
1 pkg spirally pasta–cooked accordingly to the package directions–drained and cooled
2 small ripe tomatoes, chunked
1 can of sliced, pitted black olives
Sunflower Oil
6 large basil leaves, minced
1 small clove garlic, minced
the lemon juice of 1 large lemon (with pulp)
Pepper Jack Cheese, sliced into thin strips, small pieces
I mixed all ingredients with the pasta, and let chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator–absolutely delicious—and my cooking adventures continue.
What an intense night!!!
Thomas, Monika ( a friend of ours) and I drove to Ittersbach, with the intent of watching the Euro-cup match at the Pub— and happened upon an open air event playing the Germany Vs. Italy match at an open air event!!!
The soccer match was a big deal, going into overtime!!! Goal kicks from the marked lined were made, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, with boos made when Italy scored and cheers erupting when Germany made goals!! Germany won…by the skin of the teeth and the success of a final shot!!!
After the winning kick was scored, fireworks erupted, a live band started playing cover tunes and the crowd went wild…a fun night full of unexpected delight.
Missing the little things from back home is pretty normal, by most standards but one thing I really jonesed for was a good coffee shop that was relaxing yet fun, upbeat but comfy–and at last I found a ‘home’ coffee shop here in my area. And no, I am not doing a paid ‘pitch’ for the Dlounge, I have seriously been hunting for a good spot to relax and write in my journal….
A journal is something I keep in my bag along with several ink pens. Why?? One never knows where adventures might take me and honestly, I do not want to forget a moment of it–so if I am waiting for a friend, taking a coffee break, or about to head to a German class, a coffee is essentail and my journal is a must.
The DLounge, located on Kronenplatz in Karlsruhe, is the perfect coffee shop venue for me. The seating is comfortable, the music is always good, the coffee is hot and fresh, and the best feature…the baristas are super nice and speak English. What more could a girl ask for when getting her daily buzz?
Cafe Crema
My Travels 