European Expedition–Rothenberg Day 2

We woke up at 6:45 which felt much too early, got ready and packed up our bags so they would be ready for checkout at 11:00am.  We headed downstairs and found the dining roo with German buffet for breakfast.  We were glad to have a full German breakfast… rolls, meats, cheese, cucumbers, fruit yogurt and juices.  The owner of the hotel/restaurant came out and asked if we were from Utah.  Chris answered that he was.  The owner then said he had ancestors who left Germany and travelled to Utah, Salt Lake City and became Mormons.  Are you Mormons?”  We replied we were.  “Can I show you something?”  He brought out several pages of his genealogy with pictures of those that had migrated West.  It was really fun to see.  I think he hoped that we would recognize the names.  He said he really wanted to meet some more of his family. 

We ventured out to explore at about 8:30 heading straight for the wall. 

Luke was so cute.  As he walked along the wall, he paused at every small window to shoot a pretend arrow from his bow.  It was really fun to watch.

A stop at the most picturesque spot in Rothenberg.

The boys really loved this armor and all the weapons on this corner.  Then we went into a toy store on the corner, and Luke and Matt found a teddy bear who copied whatever you said.  They COULD NOT stop laughing.  It was pretty hysterical.

Months before heading on our trip, we put Matthew in charge of Rothenburg.  One of the things he was in charge of finding was; a NUTCRACKER.  He was pretty excited to spot them, and get his picture taken.

We went in some shops, tried to climb the highest tower --CLOSED : ( and then got gelato for the second time and ate it as we wandered down to the Rothenberg park at the end of the city.

At 11:00 we headed back to our cute hotel, brought our suitcases down and left the city.  On to St. Leon…

On the Road…

Matt read Mercy Watson to me up in the front seat while we drove from Bavaria to Austria to Rothenberg. And then we got into a stau.  Luckily it didn’t take too long but it was fun to be reminded about them as we drove on the Autobahn. We just love traveling in Europe.

European Expedition–So happy to be back in Rothenberg

Chris found us the CUTEST hotel right on one of the main streets inside the city walls of Rothenberg.  It was the perfect hotel and it just made returning to Rothenberg that much more magical. 

We drove our van right onto the cobblestone streets and right in front of the hotel.  We unloaded our bags and got checked in.  We got two rooms right next to each other.  One for the boys and one for the girls.  Then out to explore the city…

We wandered along the city wall for a long time.  It’s just so medieval and magical – and holds so many memories for us.

Back in the city square we ordered some pizzas from a favorite restaurant and sat on the steps to eat and wait for our 8:00 Night Watchman’s Tour.

Several of us had been on the Night Watchman’s Tour at least once but it was so fun to go again.  We knew exactly where to go to get a nice spot right close to the guide – the same guide who’s been doing the tour for 20 years – every night.

It was cute to see Matthew just walk right along side him to the next spot.

What a great day.  The girls and I wrote in our journals for a bit in our room before falling asleep.