Schwartzwald - Day 2/3

After a hearty nap, Zac woke about 5pm sunday and we walked over to a nearby city fest.

It was a smallish beer tent with (lame) live music. Fun was being had by the stein. We stayed for one drink and headed back to the hotel for a light dinner.

We had a much easier bedtime this time and I fell asleep well before Stephen did (most likely because I tasked him with making sure Zac got to sleep ok - I was too pooped to keep going and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow).

Zac was up again at 6am, packing and cleaning was follows by b-fast at 7:30 and then off to cuckoo clock shopping.

Our first stop was to "the first worlds largest clock". We were disappointed because the doors were locked even though the posted hours stated they should be open. It turned out to be a good thing though because there s a difference between the "first" and the current "largest clock".

We found the current largest clock and it was considerably larger. For €2 each we got to go inside the clock and watch the gears turning. Very cool.

We then drove a bit and started our shopping trip near the bottom of the waterfalls we had visited earlier.

We found a clock with a more simple style and just a cuckoo (no music). See the photo on my Facebook profile.

Now we're on our way home and not a moment too soon (see photo).

Schwartzwald (Black Forrest): Day 1/2

The drive down went perfectly! Which is more than can be said for Friday afternoon!

On Fri, S got off work at noon due to a power outage for construction. So after he came home and Zac woke up, we decided to do some last minute errands.

While stopping for a coffee and snack, I lost a tooth-crown!! It just popped right off! I immediately called my dentist (who is usually closed on Fri) and was directed to the dental assistant. She kindly informed me that the doc was on vacation and would be flying out shortly.

I explained my issue and she instantly tried to get ahold of him.

Luckily, doc wasn't scheduled to fly until Saturday morning (to Afica for a hunting trip), so he met me at 5pm in K-town and did an emergency cement job.

Timing could NOT have been better!!

Now back to Saturday: the drive went perfect. We left shortly after lunch - a strategic move to save money on food and to ensure that Z would be in prime snoozing mode. Zac fell asleep 4 blocks from the house and stayed asleep for 2 hrs (the whole drive was 2.5 hrs).

We checked into our guesthouse (2 bedroom suite - not luxurious but very adequate) and then headed out to the triberg waterfalls ("highest waterfall in Germany)

It was a beautiful park and the falls were remarkable. We got tons of great shots (to be uploaded after we get home).

Saturday night didn't go quite as well. We had a disappointing dinner (though the hostess was an excellent one - very friendly and doted on Zac). Bedtime was a complete failure! Long story short - toddlers need routine, adults need breaks from "routine". Zac finally succumbed at 11pm and woke up at 6am.

Sunday:
After my near sleepless night (uncomfy bed) Mr. Z was ready to roll at 6. B-fast didn't start till 8 and our morning activity opened at 10am.

We were able to keep Zac occupied till 7:30 when we ventured out hoping at least to get some coffee. We lucked out and b-fast was just getting laid out. We enjoyed a simple cold b-fast and then spent some time at a near by playground.

At the appropriate time, we got into the car and headed to a Barefoot Park. There are a few of these in Germany - its a walk in the woods with varying terrain all with out shoes and socks.

It was a blast! We spent nearly 2 hours walking around the trails (Zac insisted on intermittent carrying). We followed that up with a super lunch (more supper than lunch - which we all needed after a tough evening and rigorous morning).

Now zac is napping and we are back at the hotel - me on the terrace enjoying a glass of wine, and S in the room reading his book (and most likely checking his eyelids for holes.)

We aren't yet sure what we'll do for the rest of our trip - we'll check out tomorrow and head home midday - though what is in store for us, we don't yet know.