(Oops, just found out this post wasn't published-belongs right before post from 9/7.)

Now in the black Forest (Called that because of the density of the trees, and the blackness of the forest floor) we awoke to a farmhouse breakfast, not accompanied by farm chores so waistline increasing. The sky leaked so plans changed to accommodate and the day was spent resting and washing, and resting.
This is pick up the rental car day with favorable results; used Enterprise and daily rates half expected:) then off on a hike into the Black. The forest surrounding the area is laced with trails going up and down the very modest mountains. Life is good.


We were to pick up Rick (Pal from Siberia) at the airport in Basel so decided to make a day of it, arriving in Basel around noon, then lunch overlooking the Rhine valley and sweeping views of the vineyards stretching across  the rolling hills and valleys. Then to old Basel. The old town turned out to be quite spectacular with it's old stuff - mansions, apartments, churches, etc. Built beginning in 900 AD the town is quite large looking much like a mini Vienna with grand buildings and curvy narrow streets to explore. The Rhine river runs through town and we decided to cross it in a ferry boat. Not the normal ferry but one propelled by the river. Aghast the river you say, true, I say in return. It's a clever design: a cable is attached to either side of the river and a pulley attached to the suspended cable with another cable running down to the boat. If that cable is tied off on the right side of the boat, the boat turns right, the water pushes against the left side and boat goes right. If the cable is tied off on the other side it goes left across the river. Wow! Bummer, Basel is in Switzerland, and the prices for meals are extraordinary; fortunately I had some Swiss Francs left and was able to use them. The airport greeting of Rick went well as did the drive home (I drove to acquaint myself with European driving, and the nifty nav system on the rental car.)

Since the arrival of Rick things have been fast and furious driving to all the points of interest: Freiberg, Colmar, Titisee,    . each town unique, however built in much the same time - a thousand or so years ago - with a common architectural thread. On occasion we went walking; for example in Titisee, a touristic town, we walked around Titisee lake. On Rick's last day went t
After a reasonable breakfast (Lotti had to go back to work) the three of us went exploring the town of Freiberg. I'm beginning to believe all towns in Europe are the same. Freiberg, like the others, has a really neat old part filled with old stuff to explore including the requisite church (s). Fun, and we only got lost once. In the evening Lotty returned with fresh local trout, then instruckted others to make camp in the back yard so the fish dinner could be prepared - cooked over an open fire of course.  With stars overhead and green all around we talked of many things whilst moving about to avoid the pesky smoke.