things i'm grateful for: road trip! (frankfurt suburbs)

we did not actually go to frankfurt city centre as we stayed for a night at the g family's house in the rhine-main region, near frankfurt.they have two young sons who were just simply adorable!

they took us around the town the next morning.again, local guides! yay!

we went to the cobblestone lane that is drosselgasse in ruedesheim, a winemaking town.

it has all these wine taverns and pretty stores selling pretty stuff, like christmas ornaments in summer!

we then took a gondola lift up the niederwald landscape park

where we had amazing views of the rhine river.rhine river! isn't that just wonderful?

rheingau valley

we reached the top of the hill where the grandeous niederwalddenkmal monument is located.it was constructed in 1883 to commemorate the union of the german empire after the end of the franco-prussian war.

note, i was best in history in high school.seriously.

so seeing all these history and sights in person just makes me want to do a somersault.since i cannot do that, i just usually close my eyes, heave a deep breath, say a short thank-you prayer,and smile endlessly.

and yet more rhine river views

we then followed a hiking trail and reached zauberhole, the enchanted cave.we went inside the narrow tunnel.it was pitch-black and very eerie.

there was also a small petting zoo near the gondola rides.

lovely!

we then took a boat to go back to drosselgasse.it was a very romantic river cruise with stunning views.

where we saw ruined castles

endless vineyards

funny monuments

we then said goodbye to the generous g family and drove to the top of the loreley rock.german folklore tells of a siren (lore lay) luring innocent men to crashing on the rocks.

we then headed to koblenz and stopped by deutsches eck or the german corner where the statue of emperor william i is situated.

fortress ehrenbreitstein

wonderful! oh did i already say that? heee...

up next...bits and pieces of dusseldorf and gelsenkirchen