Spring 2010 trip to Germany

We arrived Friday afternoon in Southern Germany after a long trip from the USA. We actually took the ferry across from Konstanz to Meersburg this time and we all enjoyed that experience despite the cool temps. We napped during the afternoon, had a good meal in the evening and called it night soon after. Below are a few images of our adventures in Germany so far.

After breakfast on Saturday we went to see the basilica in Weingarten, Germany



Georgia lit a candle for a friend back home



The interior of the basilica



Stunning artwork on the ceiling



Descending down the stairs in front of the basilica in Weingarten



The St. Martin fountain in Weingarten



We had lunch at the Cafe Central in Ravensburg



An interesting way to support a building up higher while working on the ground floor



While shopping in Ravensburg we ran into Siggi, Moritz, Lena and Stefan



We had dinner in the Alte Muehle in Waldbeuren and the owner showed how to take the bone out of a trout and made us aware that trout cheeks are a delicacy



Amy and I had vanilla ice cream with hot raspberries for desert



After breakfast on Sunday we all went to the Affenberg in Salem, Germany to see the Barbary Macaques and a ton of storks. Plus the old buildings are quite cool too.



Feeding time for the storks



The storks looked quite content after the meal



Georgia made a new friend in Salem at the Affenberg



This Barbary macaque got the last piece of Amy's popcorn



My mom has never been here before despite living quite close



At the end of the monkey tour



Strolling over calm water



Somehow Georgia had a hard time escaping from the monkey enclosure



We all ate lunch inside this building



Georgia in action in Germany



One small element of the Salem castle



When the old abbey burned down around 1690 it was quickly replaced, but this time with fire fighting stuff planned in. Thus you can find now a fire fighting museum there.



Another interesting old school fire engine



The 4 musketeers at the end of a long tourism day in front of the Gothic basilica in Salem



One of several interesting statues in Castle Salem, Germany



Amy under a lemon tree



That is where mustard comes from

Back on the boat

The image of Amy and I on the boat wasn't taken in Scandinavia, but on a rainy day crossing the Lake of Constance in Southern Germany. We are actually on a little field trip with Amy's mom Cheryl and her grandmama Georgia.

Walking in the shadows of...

Well, enjoying sunshine and shadows here in Winston-Salem before heading to a very rainy Germany. But we'll have a good time just the same. :-)

Fleischkaese

Two weeks from today I'll be having some Fleischkaese for sure. A trip to the local butcher in Ostrach, Germany is already on schedule. :-)

Smokers

The pic below is from an exhibit in Sydney, Australia, but sadly many streets are covered with cigarettes and that is truly inconsiderate and annoying. So smokers, clean up after yourselves.

Colors

On a recent walk with Amy we stopped under the bridge near Runnymede Ave because of all the interesting colors and textures on the wall. I posed in front of it to add a bit more color and texture. :-)

Parking fools

Some time back in Chattanooga I noticed people parked in Low Emission Vehicle parking spots seemingly without regard for the signage. But I also realized that people might not really understand what actually counts as a low emission vehicle, plus those spots were just too close to the entrance of the Green Life store. Yesterday I stumbled upon a few interesting cars in the Compact Car parking area of the Thruway Center in Winston-Salem. Maybe it isn't clear what compact is? :-)

Boston Creme cake

Amy made a super yummy Boston Creme cake Amy for my birthday and that made for a great start of the day. A candle for each decade, plus a half one for the other 5 years.

Pollen Nation

The spring time has arrived indeed and the pollen is settling everywhere. The little beemer is quite pollen green currently and it is time for a wash soon.

Mountain biking in Hobby Park

Have been riding my mountain bike quite a few times by now and slowly getting my game back. Today I did a couple laps on the nice trails inside Hobby Park in Winston-Salem, NC.

Ready to get the show on the road



Hobby Park has some very sweet trails



The markings are left over from a recent race



The trails were very quiet today



Focused on the task at hand



The Autobahn section of Hobby Park



After a nice 1.5 hour ride

Spitzbube

My grandma and grandpa used to call me Spitzbube when I was a young boy because at times I was a true rascal. So when I first started this blog I decided to call the blog spitzbube.blogspot, as I still have some small rascal moments on occasion. Much to my surprise a package arrived in the mail today with the shirt below. Thank you Cheryl.

A logo isn't a brand

"A logo is not a brand" is one of many good thoughts in the Brand Gap book by Marty Neumeier that I am currently reading. A great look at bridging the gap between business strategy and design.



But that being said, I really like that alphabet poster made up from brand symbols and letters in my office.