Rhine Cruise

This is Tim waving good-bye as they set sail down the Rhine.  They boarded the boat in Bacharach.  

I drew the short straw and got to drive to the next town.  Actually, I have already done a wonderful Rhine cruise by all the castles when I was younger.  We went downstream in the day, and then enjoyed all the fireworks from the castles during the night when we came back.

The high water is from the flooding.  It made it a quick trip! 

I can't tell you about all the castles, but I did send Tim and William with Rick Steeve's books.

It's near the middle of the river and quite striking.

I love seeing the vineyards and the castles.

The Barons along the Rhine would make boats pay a tax to pass their part of the river.

Some are high on the hill, so they were harder to attack.

They don't look big now, but some were larger before all the wars.  Um, we're talking about the ones that started with Napoleon coming through and sacking the entire area.

Enjoying the cruise.

There are so many castles along this short portion of river.

You can still see some ruins.

The new tower looks beautiful.

Churches in different styles, clean little towns.

Clock tower!

Impressive towers.

Cliffs where you could watch for folks coming.

 It is amazing how many castles and towers there are. 

More...

...and more...

Churches...

 Tower.

 

And now, for William's obsession with trains and tunnels.

And more tunnels.

Castle?

Nope, tunnel!

And then they got off in St. Goar.

Bacharach, Germany

 It's always cool when you have to enter the city through the old city walls!

We rolled in at dusk, and so the town was a bit quiet.

One of the old churches.

Malerwinkle is very picturesque.

It's like staying in a gingerbread house.

You pay with cash, but we LOVED the 3 separate beds with clean bedding and bathroom.

And our window was right above the creek.  So we had fresh air and the sound of the running water all night.

The walking path into town is a duck under style.  The stream is to the left.

How does that bridge hold up?

The garden at late dusk.

The walk to town was quick.

Every little place is picturesque!

And finally, BEER!

Another old church lit up at night.

And if you're drunk, it's easy to find the place again!

Looking out the window in the morning.

There was plenty of free parking.

I couldn't read what it actually said.

Electricity even looks quaint here!

The place in early morning.  It had an incredible breakfast spread, as well.  I could have stayed another night at least!

Another old city wall entrance by the hotel.

William and Tim hiked up to the castle on the hill from our hotel.

It is actually a youth hostel.

Not an insignificant climb.

William loves to hike and climb.

Looking down at the vineyard.

Lots of beautiful arches on the hike up.

More duck pride.

Again, all the beauty along the walking path up.

From the hostel looking down.

 Pretty nice place to stay!

With an incredible view.

It was lit up last night, now William is showing us the old church.