It was another one of the many three day weekends in May so we decided to head north to Alsace (Well, we were advised by our expert guides that this would be a bon idée). Alsace is a region of France that has changed back and forth from German to French 4 times in the past 75 years. The cities typical of the area were built by Germany after the destruction of frequent wars. Alsace is known for wine, (surprise surprise) choucroute (sauerkraut), Flammenkuschen (aka Tarte Flambé), and the cigogne (the only one of these that you do not consume because it is an endangered bird). We enjoyed all of those things but agreed that Cécile and Lionel's choucroute was leagues above the one that we purchased. Again, not surprising.
  |
Shameless en route Burger King picture
We went because it is the prefered burger of
Elodie, who, along with all the other French,
love the "Whooper" |
 |
| We stayed in the town of Bergheim |
 |
| the mote |
 |
| Jewish tourism |
 |
This was adverstised as the witches garden.
It was one of a few in the region that were
actually herbal/medicinal gardens. |
 |
| Micah in the witches garden |
 |
| The town walls (remparts) |
 |
Our hotel. It turned out to be a time share
and was very reminiscent of the time shares
we have been to in the US
Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg
|
 |
| After a little hike through the woods... |
 |
| Grumpy snack |
 |
..we and 20,000 other fun tourists
arrived at the gates of this
magnificent castle |
 |
It has taken awhile for France to claim this castle as their own
This area of France has changed hands 3 times during 3 wars
from Germany and back.
Everything including the French here is very Germanic. |
 |
| Just another of the many castles |
 |
Making it just in time
we managed to find a restaurant
at the unGodly hour of 2:30
for lunch |
 |
Choucroute:
Sauerkraut and various
pork meats |
 |
| Waaaay too much food. |
 |
Timeshare pool
(we waited 30 min. after eating) |
Colmar
 |
| Madame liberté |
 |
Everyday ordinary ancient wall
climbing |
 |
Notice the Cignogne nest atop the église
avec Cignogne |
 |
| pizza bread |
 |
Little Venice
(what is not shown is Micah throwing a tantrum
because we won't buy him the right souvenir) |
 |
| Yes it's blurry, but it's a river otter!! |
 |
Flammenküche
(Lionel and Cécile's was better also) |
Nature Park
 |
| River otters in captivity |
 |
| Cignogne dans la nid |
 |
| Les bébés |
Riquewihr
Hohlandsbourg Castle
Much to the chagrin of Jasper, we visited one more castle before we left Alsace, which of course involved a little hike.
 |
| The view |
 |
| This sucks.. |
 |
We watched a petit skit at this last castle
Just when you think you have a handle on the language.
....I understood nothing.... |
 |
| Stop trying to make this fun Mom! |
 |
| Follow the poppies home |
á la prochain!
