Konigsee and Obersee in the Alps

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Kristen

Boat houses on Königsee

Nestled at the base of the German alps are hundreds of little lakes called “sees.” A popular one for tourists when visiting Berchtesgaden is the Konigsee, a thin finger lake that is visible when you’re at the top of Kelstein (Eagle’s Nest). Electric boats ferry passengers between 2 stops on the lake and we chose to visit the second stop, the bottom tip of the Obersee. We took the easy 1 hour hike from the ferry stop to “almost” the base of a waterfall high in the alps. The views along the path were breath-taking and Tim and I decided this is one place we want to come back to and complete the trek to the base of the waterfall.

Berteschgarten and Konigsee

“The water is great!”

Seeing what the Eagle Sees

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Kristen

The kids in Berteschgaden

We loaded up the van and drove to the delightful tourist town of Berchtesgaden, Germany. We selected this village because of its proximity to Salzburg, Austria and its connection to WWII (specifically as the city where Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest retreat was built). Tim found a great little gausthaus with enough space for the entire Rietkerk brood. Mom and Dad’s little apartment even had a small balcony where they could enjoy a glass of wine and a view of the hillside.

Our first stop was the Konigsee, about 20 minutes from the B-n-B. A retreat for many Germans, this lake is hidden from the parking lot by a bazillion tourist gift shops selling worthless trinkets highlighting the treasures of Bavaria. It reminded me a bit of Tijuana, Mexico except more charming. The lake itself is spectacular; emerald green waters and soaring mountains surrounding it. A few days later, we took a boat ride from the docks to the other side of the lake and then hiked to the Obersee, a one hour trek through forests and on the side of a cliff. (Don’t worry…there are steel cables along the rocks to help you anchor yourself to the side). At the end of the hike we were treated to a fantastic view of a huge waterfall and peaceful waters of the Obersee.

The Eagle’s Nest, Adolf Hitler’s mountain getaway

Mountain view

The girls

Steppin Up to 7th Grade

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Kristen

The three kids had their last day of school today and it was quite a celebration. Lindsey and I attended the final Awards Ceremony for the 3rd-6th graders of Hohenfels Elementary. For 2 LONG hours, we listened to the names of every solder who ever volunteered at the school during the past year; it was quite exhausting. You can tell an event has lost it’s sparkle when the majority of audience members are scrolling through texts and posts on their phones. Near the end of the ceremony, Will, along with 12 other 6th graders, was recognized for outstanding academic achievement and he received a letter and certificate signed by President Barack Obama. The principal read the letter out loud and then called the 6th grade students forward to collect their awards. We are so proud of Will and Lindsey suggested we frame his certificate with her presidential coin–a nice piece of memorabilia.

The 6th grade class celebrated their promotion to the 7th grade with a special dance and lunchtime meal the day before “graduation.” Parents decorated The Zone, a large dance hall on post, with glittery stars and paper lanterns to set the festive mood. The students enjoyed a catered meal from our favorite Italian restaurant, Il Cigno in Parsberg, and then boogied for the next hour before school was dismissed. Will asked me and Tim to please eat and run before the dancing began. He was afraid we’d cramp his style. I followed his wishes, after getting a pic of him sharing his moves.

Nothing could be finer than…

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Kristen

Church at the end of the bridge, Wurzburg

Soccer season is over and we found ourselves with a “free” Saturday. Not ones to sit idly at home for the whole day, we packed a picnic lunch and headed north in the Volvo in search of the Romantic Road. A favorite road trip of many tourists, the Roman Road was a trade route during the Middle Ages and begins in Wurzburg and travels south until reaching the most famous of fairy-tale castles: Neuschwanstein. We started the morning with a stroll along the cobblestone streets of Wurzburg, taking our sweet time on the city bridge which is lined with wine shops. Of course, would couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy a single glass of wine and continue walking slowly along the bridge as we looked at statues of saints and the Marienburg Fortress across the river.

Following our visit to Wurzburg, we drove a little under an hour to Rothenburg for a walk around the city walls and a bite of dinner. We found cafe tables outside at our favorite Italian restaurant and I enjoyed a Radler (a drink of 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 beer) and tortellini al forno. at 8pm, the girls and I joined the night watchman tour which meets at the Market Sqaure and the boys found a cafe to watch the Euro Cup game. With the summer season in full swing, we enjoyed a late sunset and delightful information from our trusty watchman. This tour is a highlight of a visit to Rothenburg.

This is the life! Enjoying a glass of wine as we stroll along the Mainz Bridge

Wurzburg Palace grounds

Rothenberg Night Watchman entertains crowds every evening

Garmisch–our backyard playground

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Kristen

The rugged peaks of the German Alps

Military families stationed in Europe have one of the best MWR facilities at their fingertips: Edelweiss lodge and resort in Garmisch Germany. During winter, it’s a skier’s paradise. But come summer, the flowers and fields are alive and ripe for hiking and outdoor fun. Tim conducted a marriage retreat for military families over the weekend and we were able to tag along and enjoy time at the lodge as well as visit downtown Garmish for some window shopping and German food. The weather was a bit hit-or-miss with rain showers mixed with sunshine but it didn’t prevent us from stopping at Pano for a cup of cappucino and a little ice cream from the eis shop across the street.

Downtown Garmisch

PROM!

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Kristen

The girls with their dates

On Saturday, Lauren and her very best friend Lauren (they go by the nickname: LoLa) pooled their makeup reserves and spent the better part of the afternoon getting ready for prom. Around 5:30pm, Patrick (Lauren R’s date) and Julian (Lauren S’ date) came by the house to present the girls with wrist corsages and a ride to the prom.

But first! Off to the castle for pictures. The Parsburg Castle afforded us a spectacular backdrop for candid shots and the kids looked great in the afternoon sun. The prom was held on a boat on the Danube and the kids were able to take a bus from the high school to the launch site. From 8pm to midnight, they danced and ate their way down the river. When it was over, Patrick’s mom Sonja picked up the 4 for an old-fashioned bonfire at their home. She then delivered LoLa to our home at 2:30am so they could drift off to sleep with smiles on their faces and happy memories in their dreams.

Patrick and Lauren in shock and astonishment

A Moveable Feast