A Stocherkahnfahrt

hazy day

The Klepsers own a Stocherkahn (a punt boat) although there are ones to rent along the Neckar River. They took us for a boat ride on Thursday afternoon. The kids loved it and their granddaughter, Lilli who is 4 came along. Jamie even got a chance to steer and found that it is harder then it looks. It is a wooden boat with a long wooden pole to push into the bottom of the riverbed to navigate it. I guess it would be similar to the gondolas of Venice. It was a beautiful day...60s and sun sun sun!

going under the bridge

Rosi pointing out a site to Allie.

More Thursday fun.

Grandpa has fun with his grand-daughters at the Stadtspielplatz (City park)

Juliette discovers how much she likes playing in the sand

Garbage day on the streets proves to be a harrowing experience for the driver and also the people walking down the streets without sidewalks. (think plastering yourself against the wall or quickly finding a doorway to pop into while the cars and trucks pass).

Playing at the top

Juliette is in another stratosphere.

Pretty view.

Schloss Hohentuebingen

I know Juliette is contemplating whether or not to eat the dandelion.

The red-orange tiles of Tuebinger rooftops

Through doorways and tunnels.

On Thursday May 5th

Jamie and the girls.

A quick view from the side.

Running up to go through the castle gates. This is next to our hotel.

On Thursday we had a wonderful German breakfast at the hotel complete with eggs, frickadellen (like sausage patties crossed with a flattened meatball), delicious breads, jams and museli and went to Das Schloss Hohentuebingen for a morning stroll and to relax looking at the rooftops of the city. The girls had a ball playing in the grassy area and running around the grounds.

Thursday, May 4th

In the market area.

We took a flight from Indianapolis to Stuttgart, Germany. When we collected our baggage we took a bus to Tuebingen where we stayed at Hotel am Schloss. It was a very nice hotel with a fantastic restaurant with over 20 varieties of their famed Maultaschen (a type of Swabisch ravoli that is delectable!) We walked around the city completely jetlagged and snoozed for a bit too. That evening Rosi and Helmut met us at the restaurant for a very delicious meal and great company. The girls adored them.

Tuebingen!

This is where they have the large markets during the week selling flowers, cheese, vegetables and fruit. Tuebingers and visitors flock to the outside tables during good weather to dine and drink beverages and also to people watch.


The wonderful picturesque buildings in Tuebingen. Getting a peek of the Rathaus (the town hall) down a crooked, cobblestone street.

Ready to board the plane!

This is proof you can make a European vacation with 3 kids (4 if you count my father-in-law) in tow. The girls were exceptional. Really. Not lying! And I didn't medicate them or me! Even Juliette who decided that she could perfect her screeching pterodachtyl-like scream the week before the trip and also be getting her two front teeth (which popped through in Germany), was great! It was such a fantastic trip. The kids did so well on the flights, bus/metro/train trips and I think had a great time too. Tuebingen was a favorite of Isabelle's, and we wish we had more time to spend there...2 days was just too short! Isabelle didn't have any memories of the city where we lived in 2007 to 2008 except when we walked into a backerei, she exclaimed, "I remember this place! I remember the smell!" We definitely frequented the bakeries for the pretzels. It is interesting that a sense triggered a memory for her. We visited our friends, the Klepsers while we were there and had a marvelous time!