A Cruel Ascent

Well, it felt like it first thing in the morning. A (rather abrupt) 800 feet up and we were able to enjoy a lovely day with all sorts of new experiences. We started checking off castles right and left (literally), traveling some lovely forest paths and open meadows. We walked through an unexpected and delightful village up on the ridge overlooking the Rhine with locals teasing us as we went. At one point, a gentleman had set out a table and two chairs near the trail and came out to greet us when we stopped for a snack. We enjoyed a break at a hiker’s cabin in the midst of waving fields of wheat surrounded by poppies, foxglove and wild roses. We had the obligatory lookouts over the Rhine (they never get old) and close up looks at Maus (Mouse) castle - story to follow with tomorrow’s post. Our accommodations were without electricity for a while (the circuitry in our room was the problem) but it was resolved and we enjoyed one of our more traditional (sausage) meals outdoors of the banks of the river.