Wine Basen and Forest

Two weeks out of the year the wineries open to the public. So Friday evening we drove in Dirk's car-a Mercedes'-Benz(Company car with an awesome navigation system). I have noticed a lot of Mercedes , BMW and Porsches here. We ate a very typical German meal and had their wine. As we were leaving we noticed the tractor. Colten as would Alex became excited. So this tractor picture is for you Alex!

Yes Nate and Nick they have round a bouts everywhere. They work nice here I think because they are not as tight as at home.
Saturday morning we took a trip to a castle in the forest. We needed to stop for gas. At first I thought is was cheap but then realized the price was in liters-so take that times four to get per gallon. I have noticed people here bike or walk more, but places are closer here. Space is an issue. Everything is smaller or I should say narrower. It is rare to have a free standing home, there are townhouses like six together.
As we walked up to the castle we picked chessnuts. It is the thing to do in the fall. People use them as decorations or make necklaces with them-they are not the eating kind. And we also picked up some big sticks-Colten was a dragon(with a big stick.)
This is the Willers family, they are facing the castle.
In the forest we are walking one of the many trails. Colten is holding his 'hammer' he found. We did a lot of exploring and the kids did some climbing. At the end of our trail we stopped at a hunting lodge to rest in the sun. It was much cooler in the forest. The trails went along a lake. It is a holiday today(Unification day-the day the wall came down-although it was really november 9th) so many people were running and biking. On the weekend the store are closed-yes ladies no shopping on the weekends. Only tourist places are open.
Are you proud of me Brian? At the hunting lodge I ate a brat and beer. And yes honey, I thought about taking the glass for you-but I did not think Dirk would like that. I think the beer tasted like a Bud Lite-don't tell any Germans that, they might not like that. I think the brat was the best I every had.
Then we went home for lunch. Salad and the best home made bread-whole wheat oatmeal. It is so filling to me because it is real. Lisa buys her flour from a mill.

I miss you my babies. Thank goodness for Kathrina and Colten. Otherwise, I think I would be more sad. Colten lets we hold him and he sits on my laps sometimes. Kathrina lets me read books to her and play games. My arms feel funny at times because I am use to them always holding someone. That must be why I feel the need to bring my purse everywhere even though I have no euros and can not use my cell phone.

This evening Lisa and I are meeting some of her British friends and going to an English theatre and out for Tai.