Now I have to add that most of our traveling is not well planned. We decide less than a week out that we are going somewhere, which leaves me frantically trying to research and plan a family-friendly, entertaining, somewhat budget-friendly and easily navigated trip. Pressure? Maybe a little...but so far I've been SUPER lucky and we've taken two amazing trips now (which I realize and am sorry to admit that I still haven't posted on the first one...). So, we start our trip leaving on a Thursday after Dave gets off work. We stop for dinner at McDonald's. However, I must point out that McDonald's is a real restaurant over here. VERY classy, with a separate cafe that serves fancy coffee drinks and desserts. Which makes us not feel so bad about this fast-food option. Oh, but have to say that as soon as you cross the border to France, Micky D's is once again a nasty, worn-out looking restaurant that I swear I'll never eat in again. So for this, I am grateful because I now know that when we move back to the states I will resume my ban on fast-food. Phew!
This is the view across the street from our hotel. We got in around 9pm and I took this while the kids and I waited in the car for Dave to check us in.
Kinley standing in the hotel room. She loved the coral walls.
Dave waiting for us in the courtyard of the hotel. Coming down for some breakfast!
This is the reception area, and breakfast was served in the same building.
Here's the same view from last night. We are ready to go exploring!
Sweet little bundt pans decorating a chocolate biscuit shop.
Yummy....drooling in the window of a pastry shop (which we stopped in later and had DELICIOUS pastries and cafe au laits)
We had lunch here. Fresh bread, hunks of meat and cheese and special spreads and you build your own sandwich. Waaaay better than Subway! I just loved the pretzels hanging from the pot rack.
The kids looking cute as white storks - the Alsace region mascot.
Delicious crepes at Crepe Suzette! This one was cinnamon-apple-almond...
....the kids are digging into their pineapple-maraschino cherry crepe,
and mine (it was the best!) was grand manier-brandy-orange zest.
Jones deep in thought...and taking a break from all the walking!
Hanging out behind the hotel (we love how Jones can take pictures of us now).
The back of our hotel, with the kids in the window....
There they are!
Again, behind the hotel, which is to the right.
We took a day trip up to Saverne to see the Chateau du Haut-Barr (they "Eye of Alsace") - it once commanded the vital pass of Col de Saverne. It was so amazing to be there and explore with the kids! There is actually a restaurant up there too, but we didn't eat there. We saw some people jogging, and there were also bike trails, but they were so steep and narrow I think you'd have to be an expert to attempt them.
Kids and I about to climb up to the chateau.
Jones and I looking through a little window.
Taking the walkway up.
Goofing off in the rocks. They thought it was so cool that they fit in just perfectly!
What a view!
My family...staking claim on the mountain!
Jones and Kinley on the rock wall (it really wasn't a steep drop but more like a gradual slope).
How beautiful! I just can't believe it.
This bridge was scary to cross. We were so high up! My kids were big and brave and I was a wimp!
