Tag local places no one ever tells you about

Over the River–and into Lauterbourg, France

Anna--The Adventurer

 
A new friend’s invitation drove me to the edge, over the river, and thru the woods to a local French Restaurant—Au Bord Du Rhin

Changing countries in this part of Europe is easy, by American standards. Planes, trains, automobiles, trams and so much more make it convienent and super accesible to cross borders.

The menu was divided into three langues–French (of course), German (which I am in the prelimary classes of learning) and a very unique version of English.  When the ingredients or key words of a dish are still foreign, guessing (or asking) is best when ordering and finding yourself lucky and on the receiving end is always a pleasant surprise.

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French Desserts–Caramel Flan with a vanilla sauce and fresh fruit–including St. Johns Berries

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The Restaurant’s Logo placed artistically on a plate

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French Mouse (chocolate) with cream sauce adn fresh seasonal fruit

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Monika, a local German friend, showing me the ropes of French Cuisine–from lochs to Chevre and so much more

 

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

 

 

St. Martins Church, Ettlingen, Baden-Wartümberg, Germany

Anna--The Adventurer

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One lovely, very sunny (and thus hot day), I leisurely went into St. Martins to enjoy the shade and for prayers.  The church was silent, in reverence of peace and quiet–the church being void of other humans.

I bolted upright from a very bizarre sound, not from the ding dang dong of the musical bells, for it was only 10:12 in the morning. Thinking something amiss, I searched for the source of the disturbance and was but awoken by the reverberations of my own rumbling snores echoing off the walls.

 

St. Annas Potthoffs 2780Martins Church, located in downtown Ettlingen (Kirchplatz) is a lovely place to visit–the church has different periods of construction (having been destroyed at points during previous wars.) The Spire is original and is easily seen from about anywhere in town.  Annas Potthoffs 2777

Upon looking up (once inside) the painting on the ceiling will fascinate as it is not rendered in the traditional sense.

The wooden, standardized pews are a lovely way to sit, relax and enjoy the divine presense of our Lord Saviour.

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

Hobbled by Cobbles, Freiberg, Germany

Anna--The Adventurer

Once upon a time…a long, long time ago, I dreamt of excitment, not tripping over uneven cobble stones, which is how I literally stumbled across some amazing things on the streets of Freiburg–I think, therefore I am not sure, that these were once markers of cities, trades or something that were once welcome into the markets of Freiburg, and there they remain.

Thomas and I stopped and had a ice-cream Sundaes and my cobbled legs got a rest….

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

City Trade markers

City Trade markers

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Celebrating my ’21st’ birthday abroad

Anna--The Adventurer

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Celebrating my Birthday in Germany with a dinner in the backyard

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Celebrating my Birthday in Germany–family and friends in Ettlingen, Germany

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Celebrating my Birthday in Germany with Fabian and his sisters

I turned 21 today, for the 13th time but who is counting??

It is truly the first time, though, that I have celebrated a birthday abroad and it has been wonderful. Thomas hosted a dinner celebration in the backyard for my special day, with family and friends attending.

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany

 

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

An Simple Breakfast

Anna--The Adventurer

Home Made Breakfast

Home Made Breakfast

An easy breakfast to dish up–takes under 12 minutes from start to finish.

2 Cups of Old Fashioned Oatmeal

3 cups of cold tap water

a pinch of salt

1/2 Cup of Dried Raisins ( I like to use the purple-dark raisins)

1 TSP of ground Cinnamon

Mix everything together in a pot–cook on medium low heat for 7-9 minutes, if the mix is too thick for you, add a bit more water.

Divide up into bowls, topping with a swirl-drizzle of honey. It is so good and easily made with very common ingredients–can easily be double or tripled or quadrupled for large groups and holiday guests.

I served it with a half slice of toast and half banana this morning for a little extra ‘boost’

 

AJ’s, Orchard, Colorado

Anna--The Adventurer

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Family Night having Dinner at AJ

AJs, Orchard, Colorado

Enjoying Colorado Raised beef, Prime Rib

Prime rib is always a good idea!!!

Haake and I knew about this place for a while but we discovered recently that it has  Prime Rib specials on Friday evenings–and dinner is always more enjoyable with good company.

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M. Haake and I love the Prime Rib Fridays at AJ’s In Orchard, Colorado

 

 

  • AJ’s Corner Tavern
    24213 Hwy 39
    Weldona, CO 80653
  • Phone number 1 (970) 645-9881

 

 

Mammoth Lacrosse–Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Anna--The Adventurer

American Lacrosse

             Colorado Mammoths

Going to the yoo with Kevin H.

Goofy friends with Kevin H.

Pepsie Center, Denver, Colorado

Friends watching the Mammoth Lacrosse Game at the Pepsi Center, Prive Box, Denver, Colorado

Mammoth Lacrosse

Watching Mammoth Lacross, Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

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Tanner, Margaret, and Haake enjyoing the game from box seats.

 

 

What a fun, wonderful evening!! Friends and family enjoyed a Colorado Mammoths Lacross game and the crowds were roaring!! The skill and agility of the athletes was astounding!!!

 

 

Turning over a new leaf

Anna--The Adventurer

Hundreds of letters have been exchanged between us.

A long history of letters…and we wrote.

 

So, as our story continues on, Thomas and I have continued to write, sharing our lives and friendship through letters..and now we have been very dear, good sweet friends for almost 20 years. We continued to write when one day….

Thomas asked me to come to Germany, not for a vacation, but for something more, something special. Thomas wrote:

I hope you will come to Germany and stay for a long while. I would like to opportunity to date you, make a future with you, and get to know you even better than I already do.  Please, come and stay. ‘ (small excerpt).

 

Upon receiving, reading and re reading the letter, I discussed this with my sister and Acacia, asking their advice and thoughts on it–for the power of girlfriends and sisters is something very unique (but that is a discussion for another day).  They both hooped and hollered with joy, with the confidence and hope for all good things.

I wrote to Thomas asking him when he would like me to go, a very big decision for me..and we continued to write letters.

So, now comes the point, that I know I am moving to Germany, at least for a while, as Thomas wrote back and said when I can and am ready, that he wants to welcome me in his home when I am ready…now for preparations.

As we discuss what the future for us holds….we continue to write letters.

And suddenly you know.... its time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings:

A visit–or two over the years between friends

Anna--The Adventurer

2001 Thomas came to Colorado for my Highschool Graduation

2001 Thomas came to Colorado for my Highschool Graduation

May of 2001, Thomas,  the man

Graduation Day with Acacia Clough

Graduation Day with Acacia Clough

I met on the train,  travel

ed from Germany to Colorado, USA, for my Highschool graduation and stayed with my family for 2 weeks. We went to Estes Park, Colorado for a visit one day. Thomas met all of my giant family, and that is no small feat…and

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Thomas and I on the Outerbanks, N.C.

We continued to write letters.

Anna and Thomas @ Carolina's Diner, Archdale, N.C. 2005

Anna and Thomas @ Carolina’s Diner, Archdale, N.C. 2005

April 2005 I was living in North Carolina, going to college, studying Fine Art at first and later on Graphic Design and Advertising. Thomas came for  10 visit, where we spent 6 days on the Outer Banks.  Our friendship continued to deepen and strengthen and…

We continued to write letters.

December 2013-January 2014–I had moved back to Colorado in May of 2012–and once again, my family (sister, brothers, parents, etc) decided to take a family vacation in the dead of Winter to Europe for Christmas.

Anna And Chub

My brother and I in Germany.

My youngest brother, at the time was living in Regensburg,

Thomas and I out for coffee, January 2014, Germany

Thomas and I out for coffee, January 2014, Germany

Germany, having moved from Heidelburg in previous weeks.  So, after spending time in his city, I split ways for a few days to visit Thomas in Ettlingen, Germany. I surely couldn’t go to Germany without seeing Thomas, my friend

and penpal.

Something changed between Thomas and I but…

We continued to write letters.

The Beginnings of….an adventure

Anna--The Adventurer

The start of my adventure

The Beginnings of Something wonderful

Decemeber,1997—My family and I were on vacation in Holland, riding the ICE train to Germany. My family, being 6 of us, 7 with my Uncle, were a large group, especially with our luggage.  My family filled the compartment and thus, I sat across the aisle at a small table, next to the window, where the chairs were bolted to the floorboards of the train.

A German man sat across from me, in the empty available seat, witha  rucksack in-tow and nothing more than that and a newspaper.  He struck up a conversation, after a bit, and within 3 hours, we exchanged mailing addresses and he disembarked from the train at his stop.

Letters were written, postcards exchanged and an old–fashioned pen-pal friendship blossomed.
We continued to write letters over time–sharing the simple things of life and…thus began something exquisite