Dinkelsbuhl
The Town Square
Inner City Wall
One of the most incredible little towns in all of Germany was only
an hour's drive from our house - Dinkelsbuhl.  This tiny medieval
town is nearly totally intact - just as it was 500 years ago.  We
spent many weekends here, shopping, or just enjoying the local
people.  We were there so many times, in fact, that several of the
shop owners eventually recognized us on sight.
Do you like medieval Europe?  I like medieval Europe!

Rothenburg is probably the best preserved and most beautiful medieval city in all of Europe.  It was
built in three stages (four actually) and the city walls are still intact throughout the city, delineating
those stages.  Incredible town, no doubt about it!  This is the place that actually got me into scrollsaw
fretwork.  Most every sign in the city (or any other German medieval city, for that matter) hangs out
from the building and is a work of art.  My fretwork efforts are pretty much inspired by those signs.

Our only problem in negotiating Dinkelsbuhl and Rothenburg lay in the fact that we were driving a Ford
E-150 extended van.  This was a BIG vehicle, it just barely fit through the city gates.  Usually, once
inside a city like this we'd park the critter and just walk.  It was much easier on the nerves.  As a matter
of fact, there's a rather funny (now) story concerning the van and "tightness" that took place right near
our home.  Will have to tell that later.
This little town was so small that one could walk completely around the outer wall in about
30 minutes, IF you took your time.  But size isn't everything, the people that live here are
among some of the most hospitable that we met in all of Germany.  Wonderful place to visit.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
City Hall
St. Jacob's Church
We visited a lot of places during our tour in Stuttgart, but none were ever any more impressive than
Neuschwanstein Castle.

This little valley in the midst of towering mountains is one of the most famous in all of southern
Germany - it contains Neuschwanstein Castle and a host of others.  Built in the 19th century by King
Ludwig, this castle was the last built in Europe.  It's also the most incredible.

In case you're wondering, yes - it is the inspiration for Walt Disney's castles.
Oberammergau
In the Bavarian Alps of southern Germany there is a town that everyone should see at least
once.  Oberammergau, sight of the world-famous Passion Plays, is more than impressive - it's
dreamy!  Pic on the right is of just one of the houses there, "Klepperhaus", and is typical of
all the buildings in the town.  Bavarians love to paint houses and pictures, in this town
they've completely out-done themselves.
Well, boys and girls, that's my little tour of the world, courtesy of good ol' Uncle
Sam.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of it as much as I enjoyed going there.