On our trip home for the summer, we stopped in world-famous Baden Baden in Germany. The most recommended thing to see or do there is to walk along the Lichtentaler Alle. It is beautiful park along a creek. It actually is heavily used and really a beautiful and relaxing area to walk, jog or bike.
All of Germany was in the news at the time because of the spring floods. We kept seeing local people with cameras taking pictures of the creek. This photo shows a tree which is usually well above the water level. As you can see, the creek was very high. In late summer, the creek is less than a foot deep.
Crossing the creek from the walking path to the other side are several very decorative bridges. They go to the expensive spa hotels and exclusive neighborhoods. We are sure that many weddings are photographed along the creek and on the bridges.
This is the actual spa we went to. There are three large, well known spas in this town dedicated to spas and hot springs. We went to the Caracalla Spa and spent a couple of hours wandering the many pools and waterfalls. We skipped the "clothing optional" solarium!
We went up on top of the Merkur (hill next to town) by riding the Bergbahn (cable railway).
This was a group of tourists being lectured while a group of bicyclists went by. Everyone was soooo polite!
This is Baden Baden from the top of the Merkur. We were actually a long way up.
One of the tourist sites is the house where Johannes Brahms rented two rooms. He was there on and off for many years. He was a working, travelling virtuoso and composer and so he didn't actually stay in one place for very long. He always came back to Baden Baden, however. He claimed he did his best work here.
The other reason he kept coming back to Baden Baden was Clara Schumann. He was obviously in love with the widow, but they never married. This is a birthday present he gave her. It is the original first couple of lines to what is now known as "Brahm's Lullaby".
We didn't just stay in Baden Baden! Off to Triberg. Triberg is a small town about one hour by train south into the Black Forest. You can't visit the Black Forest without seeing cuckoo clocks! Uli's workshop is famous for his hand crafted clocks. He always makes the top-ten list of things to see in this part of the Black Forest.
Here is his major competitor: The House of 1000 Clocks. They are equally famous, but NOT for hand-crafted workmanship.
This display is a German joke. The name of the town is "Triberg" and if you say it correctly and leave off the last letter, it mean "three bears". You see little groups of bears in threes all over town.
This is the Black Forest museum. It perfectly fit our "small museum" category. They always have fun, different and unusual items. You would not believe the number of clocks, hurdy-gurdys and semi-precious stones and rocks on display.
Triberg's "big" attraction is the "highest waterfall in Germany". If you are thinking Angel Falls or Niagra, you will be very disappointed. They didn't claim the waterfall was in a single drop!
The waterfalls aren't huge, but they are truly beautiful.
This is what the historic Black Forest looked like. Imagine it on a foggy or cloudy day as you march with the Roman Legions which were slaughtered here about 2000 years ago.
We took the church walk to the Pilgrimage Church.
This church was actually very large and kind of jumps out at you from behind a tree.
The inside is quite beautiful.
The German lunch is always delicious! We like to go to Germany on our way home for the "three B's". Most people think of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. We think of Bier, Brot und Bratwurst!
