This month has not just been the shortest month of the year but the slowest as well. The weather has prevented us from traveling outside except to and fro to Ikea and local stores to find the perfect sofa! I love this green with purple, but Lutz dislikes green as much as purple! I’d be pushing it.
It’s like boarding a plane when you go to department stores. I love how they check our corona immunization app as you enter!
The wind, rain, and cold have kept us locked inside, reading and enjoying our warm fireplace. It’s also gotten us into some trouble. Since we’ve been in the house, our minds tend to wander and dream, “let’s paint our living room and entry hall walls! So we did! Purple is not Lutz’s favorite color, but he likes Eggplant (he still doesn’t seem to realize they are the same color). Since we have three large sliding glass doors in our living room, the dark, striking eggplant color screams, “let’s be bold.”
I especially like the way our TV screen senses the color…ok, it just happened to be there. But this color sure makes the fireplace and mirror stand out.
On our way to Ikea one day, we passed a beautiful castle on a hill. It’s called Hohengeroldseck and is between Lahr and Wolfach. I told Lutz that we should make a trip to the top when this weather clears up.
One crazy morning we woke to silence. There was no rain, no wind, and the sun was out. Days like this in the Black forest are far and few in between during the winter months, so we quickly headed out to explore the castle. We had to park at the bottom of the road and walk the zig-zag forest trail to the top! I hoped to drive to the top and walk around, but no such luck.
It always amazes me to see such massive structures still standing today. History signs lined the path as we huffed and puffed our way to the top. The need for water was very critical for castle dwellers. One of the posted signs described the intricate way they stored water. It reminded me of a discussion my ten-year-old granddaughter, Ruby, and I had. She asked me which was more critical for life, food, or water. I said food cause you can get water from the veggies and fruit; she said “NO” it’s water, and that man can only live three days without it. Out of the mouths of babes, right! There was the same question Ruby had asked me. I had to huff and puff to the next sign to reveal the answer, which only proved Ruby was right!
The entrance to this massive castle was beautiful and revealed its radical beauty and colossal rock as a foundation.
The castle had refurbished spiral stairs to the top floor to view the entire valley.
Since Lutz and I are not fond of heights, we had to toss a coin. I won and was assigned the trek to the top. Or I think loss. I made it and crouched in the corner and threw a weak wave. I was scared to death and thought I would throw up.
I was shaking like crazy. But I was daring enough to snap a picture of the brave hero below. I can’t believe it’s so clear.
All in all, it was well worth the almost two-hour hike up the hill. We’re grateful we still have the body to carry us to such unique places. We’re not complaining at all. When the weather permits, we enjoy everything in nature and history, regardless of the pain in our knees, feet, and back. It’s worth it.
To reward our physical efforts and enjoy the last clear sunset for who knows how long, we jumped into our warm jacuzzi and relaxed our old muscles.
We’re looking forward to more travels in March. We have a family vacation with Lutz’s son, wife, and grandsons in the mountains. So I’m hoping to share some new travel locations next month with you all.
Since our travels were short and limited this month, I’ve had plenty of time to cook and read. Check out these new recipes I’ve created and the resources I discovered.
Fave Recipes:
Goat Cheese and Salmon Pocket
Ultimate Deviled Eggs
I’ve revamped these little protein nuggets to give you a new idea for those leftover Easter eggs.
Fave Resources:
How To Read Food Labels, Without Being Tricked!
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.