Baden Baden, Germany

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Just got back from a long weekend hiking trip in the Black Forest with the lovely Rachel Mays.

We had a great time!

Friday:

Woke up early and made our way to Tourist Information. The Information center was located in a very grand old building.

We got a couple maps and set out for some hiking. Our general meandering course went something like this: Baden Baden > Castle > Rocks > Lunch > New town > Ruin > Saw some nuns hiking > Emerging from the woods we stopped at a hotel and enjoyed a glass (or goblet) of wine > Hiked some more > Lounged in a clearing up in a saddle for a bit > Hiked up to the peak > Ate Schnitzel, drank beer, watched the sunset > Caught tram down > Caught bus back in town > Ate wild boar dinner > Passed out. 

I would guess we hiked about 15km judging by our map...but I really have no idea.

A field on the edge of town we would later visit for star gazing:

Three-legged chair perched up on a castle wall.

Goblet of wine, and our ridiculous Disney-esque map of the area.

Pass me my Schnitzel!

Took a picture of it the next day, that is why it looks like daytime. This is the restaurant we went to after the sunset:

Saturday:

Woke up early. Hey here's a picture of our place!:

Making lunch: 

General overview of the day:

Had a grand homemade breakfast > Bussed out to Neuweier > Visited winery, sampled some wine, > Hiked through some wine country > Hiked up to Yburg (a peak with a castle/ruin) > Ate lunch > Hiked back to Baden Baden (just over 6km) > Made delicious dinner > Hiked up to field for star-gazing > Stopped for dessert on our way back through town > Passed out.

Schloss Neuweir Winery renewed my appreciation for Riesling. The main landmark/image of the winery is it's castle, set at the bottom of steep hills covered in vines. Jordan, the man manning the tasting counter, agreed to take us up the hill to a spot where we could hop on a trail. I thought we'd walk...but no...we got to take a bumpy ride up the steep terraced slope on a metal contraption with seats. It was fun. And a little scary. But mostly fun.

Here's a bumpy little video. Sadly it doesn't do it justice.

A picture with Jordan:

Sent us on our way with a couple glasses and an opener to enjoy our newly purchased bottles on the hike :)

Love the illustration of the two hikers on this sign:

On top of the world, Yburg:

Didn't manage to take any photos on the hike back to town, but it was beautiful. And we saw hardly any people.

Weird giant rose sculpture in front of a mansion.

Oktoberfest bier:

Time to make dinner.

Which one do you think is creme? I don't know...we better buy both. 

...Turns out they're both sour cream...I think.

Mushroom cream sauce pasta with fig/mozzarella/rocket salad. And a bottle of Schloss Neuweir Riesling.

After dinner we went up to a field for some star-gazing. After checking out the cosmic scene we stopped by a little Italian place tucked in an ally and enjoyed some tiramisu.

Sunday: 

Started out the day with a brisk walk through town towards the monastery. We followed a beautiful tree-lined road with a river running along-side.

Had to get a shot of this train/car. We saw him cruise by a few times.

 My view while I enjoyed an afternoon cappuccino:

Rachel selecting cake and chocolates:

The famous Black Forest Cake. It was...pretty good. It was certainly better than the first two pies that we totally struck out on earlier this trip.

Our train took off just before 6 and we arrived in Amsterdam around 11:30. Shared a bottle of Pinot Noir on the train and got some good reading time in.

I'm sore and tired, but I feel good :)

Next trip on the docket: London!