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Burgruine Kürnburg
Prior to COVID-19, we traveled extensively across Europe year round. So much so that my wife Jules often lamented how infrequently we enjoyed the confines of our own home. With travel restrictions in place across Europe that is no longer a problem. In some ways we are now under house arrest. Unfortunately, this time of year is not ideal for being under house arrest. When the last rays of summer warmth dissipate into the brown and crumbling leaves of Autumn in November, the fog descends on Bayern like a cheesy 1980s horror movie set. Our little river valley in Deutschland can be a very foggy place. For days on end. …
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Naab River Rope Swing
If you’re old enough you remember those Mountain Dew commercials where the 20 somethings swig their Mountain Dew while swinging into a body of water on a hot summer day, you’ll appreciate this swimming spot on the Naab River. For those not familiar with the Naab, some days it’s warm, some days it’s chilly, and some days its off the coast of Maine chilly. Your best bet is to make sure it’s sunny and hot and if it’s one of those days where the water is Maine cold, well at least it will be refresing. The drive from Hohenfels to Duggendorf is approximately 25 minutes and the town is just…
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Thinking About Living Overseas?
Maybe you thought about living overseas before you had kids. Maybe you thought about living overseas before you were married. Maybe you thought about living overseas before you stopped dreaming. What this piece is not about are those Facebook and Instagram posts you’ve seen from your friends stationed or living overseas where the entire family is standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or in the Neuschwanstein Castle upon which the Disney castle is modeled (see featured image). If living overseas was filled with those type of moments every second of every day, then who wouldn’t want to live overseas? No, this piece is about the little adjustments we as Americans must make every…
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The Never-ending War
ARMY WIFE NETWORK INTRODUCTION
Choosing Battle Lines
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Kallmunz Castle Ruins
In anticipation of moving to Germany I scoured the internet for tips on how best to prepare for the move from one culture to another. Among the internet resources I found was a military spouse blog that used a featured image that became lodged in my head. Living in America at the time, it looked like a German fairytale. There was a seemingly medieval bridge in the center of town, castle ruins high above the town, and charming structures dotted throughout the town. I would revisit that blog after living in Germany in a hotel 25 minutes away only to realize that village was Kallmunz. I have hiked the Kallmunz…
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EN ROUTE TO ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER
U.S.A.! U.S.A! U.S.A!
TWO CONFIRMED KILLS
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Castle Brunneck
The beauty of living in Hohenfels Germany is the ability to daytrip to a magical location or locations and sleep in your own bed at night. Our day started with a wakeup at 0800 for the children (Hunter age 11, Eva age 9, Acadia age 7) and a departure time of 0830. Departing thirty minutes after wake up was only possible with a quick stop at the Rewe in Hemau to grab fresh pastries and bread. Jules and I appreciate living in Germany where you can stop in any town and and find a great bakery. In America, we don’t think twice about traveling 3-5 hours to visit children or…
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Castle Bechthal
Just a short 17 minute drive from Burgruine Brunneck in Bavaria Germany are the ruins of a 13th century Irish castle. Well not exactly but this is the most Irish looking castle we have seen during our one year of living in Deutschland. This was the second leg of our three castle day trip and had we driven straight from Hohenfels, the journey would have been 70 minutes one way. The drive is beautiful and will feel less than one hour. The quickest route through Google led us down extremely narrow roads which I enjoy so that was a bonus. The approach to Bechthal is unlike any other castle ruin. …
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Hohenfels Castle Ruins
ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER
EN ROUTE TO ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER
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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
What a great house to celebrate the day of the dead. Part of the charm of our 450 year old house is the traditional Bayern ceramic wood stove that usually straddles two rooms. It’s angled, multi-layered, and perfect for hosting candles. I’m sure Luis, Kathy, Aboi, Muggs, Dad, Boone, Nanny, Grandpa Herb and Grandma enjoyed their trip across the bridge to our new home in Deutschland.
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TRASH-LESS SOCIETY….
Prior to arriving in DE I had a system for rubbish in my car. Upon arrival at my destination, I would remove any garbage that had accumulated during the errand and deposit at a receptacle where I exited my vehicle (I eschew trash bags in vehicles unless the road trip is longer than three hours in which case the offspring can generate enough rubbish to make the Indian from the 70s commercial cry again). The system does not work in Germany. Running into the Netto or Rewe grocery store and want to throw some trash away? Good luck, no trash cans. On a military installation? Sure, there’s a dumpster right…
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WHEN IN ROME, DON’T DO AS THE…
Ahh…the weekly girl scout and cub scout meeting…probably the moment on post where I most feel like I’m back living in the United States. I have no idea how I don’t see any of the 10,000 American minivans I see on post, when I’m driving through the surrounding Deutsche villages off post.
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MONEY MONEY MONEY!!
STANDARD GOVT ISSUED STAIRWELL
PRE-TEEN AWARENESS
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HALLOWEEN DEUTSCHE STYLE
Talk to one German neighbor and they tell you, ‘of course we celebrate Halloween’. Talk to the next German neighbor and they tell you they do not celebrate the ‘American’ holiday. Who knows. What I do know is our Deutsche neighbors enjoyed the spider and web we placed on the side of our house, the skeleton holding his head on our front door, and of course the jack-o-lanterns in the window next to our wood pile. We ended up trick or treating with friends on an American street in a nearby village to ensure the kids were able to celebrate Halloween American style but the next day a few of…
