How did you like it? I'm here accompanied so I have another 14 months (36 total) Gotta say I'm gonna miss it when I go. Autobahns everywhere and I'm less than an hour from the Nurburgring

 

I took all of the MWR weekend tour bus trips I could to different countries and cities. I tried to see everything. And I ventured on my own quite a bit too.

By contrast, my sister in law and their family went and I don't think they left the base. What a waste.

 

Such a waste, I haven't been out as much as I would like. But I've still seen a lot of Germany and a little of Belgium and Luxembourg. I am planning on a few weekend trips to Paris and the coast of Portugal (maybe a long weekend) this summer and maybe Ireland If I can get a tour at Guinness breweries. oh yeah and a weekend down around the "eagles nest" and visit the cafe there. I just think it would be funny to say "I went to Hitlers house for lunch" And of course hit Austria and Switzerland while I'm in the area. I also want to see Dachau, I hear it is a very sobering experience.

 

Dammit, hearing that makes me really sad I pissed out on a chance at a 3 year assignment in Stuttgart. Take advantage and live it up! Otherwise, you will be bitter like myself.

 

You can't be bitter with Adam Jr. now!

He is sure to bring more happiness (and headache/bitterness) than any trip to Stuttgart.

 

That is true track! BTW, he's named after his grandfather Alvin. Mommy didn't like Adam Jr.

 

Oh, I intend on it.

 

Southern Germany on the edges of the Alps and on into the Alps themselves in Austria are awesome. Go to the castles, see everything you can.

Go to the smaller fests that run all spring and summer in all of the medium and smaller towns. They are all great. I suddenly crave ein mass helles and an oom-pah band like you wouldn't believe. My wife doesn't get it.

 

My favorite festival is wine fest in an local town called Bernkastel. Probably the coolest place I've ever been.

I found a few pics of bernkastel I think you might enjoy.
In the first pic, the little pizzaria on the right is hands down the best food I have ever had anywhere. And a lot of the houses in this part of town date back to the 1400's Most are still being used as little cafes and such. The whole town is down in a valley along the mosel river and surrounded by vineyards and has the ruins of a castle overlooking it.

 

wow, that's beautiful. My ancestors left all this for the Midwest of the US? Sheesh, food and money aren't everything.