Packing

It is time...

... time to pack for our move to America.

I have been dreading this moment and the day they packed was emotional for all of us. I am very grateful and feel extremely blessed to have lived in Germany for almost 4 years and I know it is time for us to move back to America but this is where we brought Rand home to after the hospital. This is where he learned to crawl and walk. Learned to talk and use the potty. 

The packers did an amazing job and took good care of our items. A few things did accidentally get packed (like some old rugs and some paperwork) but it was my fault for not moving them into the "DO NOT PACK" room. 

One of our packers was an artist and drew a beard on my mora clock. 

Bärenloch (Kindsbach Park)

The village nearby ours has an adorable park called Bärenloch (or Bears Hole). This park has a lot to offer and has quickly become one of our favorite parks. 

Rand's favorite is the slide built into a hill with old tires- nice way to integrate play elements into the environment!

If you get hungry, nearby is the Kahnhaus next to the lake. It serves German snacks and hefeweizen. 

You will find a Fußball (soccer) field and many hiking trails. Also, a great swimming lake for the summer time.

Address:

Talstrasse 18, 66862 Kindsbach

Last trip to Garmisch

In the middle of getting ready to pack up and move we decided to run away to the alps for a quick getaway. It ended up being a disaster of a trip... we took a route that ended up having an avalanche so we had to turn back around to go another way. While we backed up to turn around Rand threw up everywhere. As soon as we pulled over to clean it all up, Rob got a phone call that the movers were coming in 4 days to pack! We were originally told it would be another week at least! If we weren't 40 minutes away from our destination we would had probably just gone back home. Thank goodness the views were worth the crazy drive. 

While driving to Garmisch, Germany, part of our route was through Austria. We decided to take a bit of a detour and go through a different route to pass by Plansee. Shortly after is where we had to turn around because of an avalanche. 

We finally arrived at our apartment I found on AirBnB after dinner time. It was a long day and we were all ready to hit the sack. Unfortunately Rand still had some motion sickness and got sick again that night. It was a long night of washing sheets and towels in the bathroom.

 The next morning Rand was acting good as new. We hung around the apartment for a good part of the day to make sure he was feeling much better before heading out to hike and explore. 

We headed out to Leutascher Geisterklamm (Spirit of the Gorge). Finding the place was a bit challenging but it is right across from a bus stop and near some outdoor hanging obstacle course.  We followed the Mountain Spirit Gorge Trail (Schanz) in a loop since the Waterfall trail (in Mittenwald) was closed. 

 I was standing right on the border of Germany and Austria!

Since Rand was feeling great we decided to check out another hiking stop and drove into Mittenwald. 

The next morning we headed out to Mittenwald to do a bit more hiking before we headed back home. We decided to end our trip early and head back home to get ready for the packers. 

We parked near the tennis courts and hiked towards the gorge. Unfortunately it was closed due to maintenance but the fresh fallen snow was a stunning sight on our hike.

So we have traveled to this area... um maybe 3 times (here and here) since we have lived in Germany. We love this area for many reasons. For Rob it is the views. I love them too but I LOVE the food! This area has some of the BEST German food! 

Rand's 3rd Birthday and Monte Mare

Our little Rand is turning THREE today and I can hardly believe it!! Time has gone by so much faster with each year that passes.

Randolph Charles, our little strong willed German boy. He is stubborn at times and wants to do things his own way and own timing but is just as much as a lover than a fighter. He loves giving hugs and kisses and loves people. He is very outgoing and enthusiastic when meeting new friends. He loves train rides and going hiking while on Daddy's back.  He tries our patience & pushes our buttons, but then turns on the charm & makes us forget all about it. 

This year we had a very low key birthday for Rand since we are moving some time soon. We gave Rand the choice on what to do for his birthday and he wanted to go to the pool.

After spending half the day at the pool, we headed home for a nap and an evening of presents and cake.

 We love you sweet boy and excited to see what is in store for our little 3 year old!

I admit we went a little overboard on gifts this year but it was our last chance to stock up on some "German" toys before we moved. I got some toys at a local toy store called Rofu (but can also be found online at places like Amazon.de) but others I got on Amazon.de.

Eichhorn Wooden Toy Farm Set (Holz-Bauernhof)

Wooden Knight dolls (Ritter und König mit Lanze)

Knight Castle (Ritterburg) 
Dolls Royal family (Biegepuppen "Königsfamilie")
Finger Puppet Theatre (Fingerpuppentheater)
Finger Puppets (Fingerpuppen)
Wooden Dagger (Echtholz und Dolchscheide aus Echtleder)

Metz Fleamarket

Our time in Germany is quickly coming to an end and I am taking every opportunity to get out and explore more Europe has to offer... especially flea markets, lol. I love antiques and when I heard a friend of mine was hitting up the flea market in Metz, France, I had to join her!

About an hour and 30 min  (took us 2 hours because of construction) from the KMC area. We planned to leave at 6:15 but left just before 7 (not my fault) but got there around 9 and had a couple hours to shop. It opens at 7 and closes around 12 but vendors will start packing up early. 

 When we first arrived, I was not impressed. Lots of random junk that I had no interest in but after walking around a bit, I came across a lot of interesting and unique pieces. 


The Metz flea market is indoors and makes for a fun outing with friends while getting your  "flea" fix in the winter months! Plus it has bathrooms! Metz hosts the second largest flea market in France.

I apologize for the junky quality of photos. I took all these pictures with my iPhone.... but you can get the idea. The halls were pretty empty but my friend said it is usually packed.

Address:

Metz Expo Evénements

Parc des Expositions de Metz Métropole, 

rue de la Grange aux bois, 

BP 45059

57072 Metz

After shopping and packing up the car, we headed into the city center to have some lunch and see some of the sites before heading back home. We grabbed a bite at the Boogie Burger and it was amazing! We took our burgers across the street and ate at the park overlooking the river. 

We found a lot of amazing things. Here are some pictures of my finds! The chair, round side table, bottle drying rack, Amber spritzer bottle, 3 large vintage French prints that were used in schools (featuring trains but they are double sided with other cool pictures) and an old toy train.

Erlebnispark Teufelstisch "Devil's Table"

I have been wanting to check out Erlebnispark Teufelstisch and go hiking through the Palatine Forest. It is only 40 minutes from the KMC area and makes a great day with the kids. The park is surrounded by dozens of hiking trails and but the main attraction is the Teufekstisch "Devil's Table" that looks over the children's park. 

The Teufekstisch is a 14 meter high red sandstone rock formation, reminiscent of a legged table. The name - quite obviously - has its roots in a legend. It tells the story how the devil, looking for a place to rest and eat in a stormy night, cannot find anything nearby. So he picks up a few rocks to pile up his table. After refreshing himself he leaves the site and the storm passes. The next day everybody is frightened except for one: he claims to sit and eat at the same table the following night. Does so but at midnight a horrible cry is heard and the next day our daredevil is found dead.

 Teufelsfels has only a few routes, all of which are short but demanding. When we arrived we took the trail towards the back of the parking lot, near the map. We hiked up to the Teufelsfels and then took the slide down. 

We spent an hour or two chasing Rand around the large playground. They have a smaller slide, water playground, zipline, sandpit area, swings, miniture golf and much more! A restaurant is right next door which also has a play area so you can eat outside and look over your kids playing. Use of the park is free (except for miniature golfing) but parking is 1euro for 2 hours.

Address:

Im Handschuhteich 31

D-66999 Hinterweidenthal

Idar Oberstein

Many years ago when Rob and I first moved to Germany, we ventured out to Idar Oberstein to find a castle I saw on Pinterest. After driving around for an hour or so we gave up and headed back home. This time I came prepared with addresses and numerous locations of interesting sites.

Idar Oberstein is about 45 minutes away from the KMC area and is a great place to spend a day and hunt for some gems. Idar Oberstein is known for its gemstones and you can tour and go mining at Eedelstein Minen or visit the Mineralien Museum. The town also has two castles; Burg Bosselstein and Schloss Oberstein. Another main attraction is the Felsenkirche (church in the rocks), a church that was built into the side of a mountain. You can access the path up to the church by following the signs from the wallplatz area. You will walk up a flight of stairs, turn the corner past the locked gate in front on the church and walk into a tunnel with more stairs. To enter the church, it is 2€ adults for adults and ,50 for kids. Be sure to walk up to the bell tower and look out over the city.

After hiking up to the church, we got a bite to eat around the wallplatz and walked the streets to look into the many shops selling gems and polished rocks.

Next we visited Hangeseilbrucke Geierlay.

Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay "Hanging Bridge"

Today we took a day trip to visit Idar Oberstein and Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay.

Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay is only about an hour and 30 minutes away from the KMC area. We parked at the visitor center, Besucherzentrum. As soon as you enter Mörsdorf, you will see signs for parking on your right. Parking is 2euro for the day. Be sure to go into the visitor center to use the bathroom ahead of time. It is about a 20-25 min walk (1.8km) to the bridge. Leaving the visitor’s center you go to the right and follow the sign for "Geierlay." You will quickly cross the street and take the road on your left and continue on down to walk on the pathway through some farmland. Turn right and continue on that path till you come to a fork in the path and make a left. You will see the bridge up ahead. There is an easier (not as steep) path to get onto the bridge on the left side on the clearing and benches. 

 Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay was built in 2015 and is the longest suspension bridge in Germany at 360 meters (1,181 feet) long. This pedestrian rope bridge links the villages of Mörsdorf and Sosberg.

The area is full of hiking trails and I wish we had more day light to explore some of the paths. You can even walk down into the valley and look up at the bridge. 

Address:

Lahrer Strasse 10, Wörsdorf 56290

Tips for your trip to Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay:

-The Visitor center has a restaurant and a "to-go" window. The village of Mörsdorf does have a few restaurants so you might want to check those out too.

-If you decide to bring a stroller (I highly suggest using a carrier though), please leave it at the clearing and do not take it on the bridge.

-It is breezy on the bridge so just be prepared the bridge does sway and maybe bring a light jacket

-Don't look down ;)