An Iraqi Army unit prepares to board a Task Force Baghdad UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for a counterinsurgency mission in Baghdad. Photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.
Isn't it a nice place to relax! About only 45 minutes from the Kleber Barracks.
The Castle and its gardens were destroyed, however, during the 30 Years' War. Later, it was rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680), only to be destroyed once again by French troops. Prince Elector Karl Theodor who resided in Schwetzingen tried to restore the castle to make it inhabitable once again, but in vain: Lightning struck the Castle in 1764. In the centuries that followed, the Castle was misused as a quarry - castle stones were used to build new houses in Heidelberg. This was stopped in 1800 by Count Charles de Graimberg who made any effort he could to preserve the Heidelberg Castle. In spite of its Gothic interior, it was not before 1934, that the King's Hall was added. For more information see http://www.cvb-heidelberg.de/e553/e862/e863/index_eng.html
As we walked around we visited the castle's Otto Heinrich wing houses where there is a large pharmaceutical museum. Later, in the cellar of Heidelberg Castle we saw a barrel, containing the famed Heidelberg Tun, a wine vat with a capacity of 220,017 liters (58,124 gallons). Can you imagine you that full of wine? The present day barrel was constructed in 1751 from 130 oak tree trunks. It is 8.5 meters across and 7 meters high with a dance floor on top. It was built under Karl Theodor, and a baroque plaque bears his initials.
Calvin kept saying "what a beautiful and breathtaking place to visit." It was great, and the old castle really is amazing!
Anyway, one of Calvin's dreams was to sit in a café. So after we visited the castle we sat at the small Castle Café just outside the South gate under a large old tree. Here he tried his first strong German coffee with a German apple pie (gedeckter Apfelkuchen). He loved it. After our stop we went into the old town just below the castle to soak up the surroundings. When we arrived at the Korn Marketplace we visited Old Town Heidelburg with its small shops, old church and wonderful coffeehouses. We had to stop there at another café and order a second strong coffee. It really is a wonderful experience, just to sit on the sidewalk, watch the people, talk and relax! Suddenly, the weather changed dramatically! A thunderstorm was coming. So we moved inside the café. After the rain stopped and we went to the car to drive further to Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Bad Dürkheim.
Bad Dürkheim is located in the mildest climatic zone north of the Alps. Situated only 30 minutes from Heidelberg, this historic health resort, which can trace its history back well over a thousand years, nestles in the area where the eastern hills run into the Palatine Forest, one of the largest nature parks in Germany. Today the spa town and is one of Germany's largest wine-growing districts. It offers not only Mediterranean climate with southern flair, numerous castles and fortresses, but also the proverbial cheerful nature of people from the Palatinate. The town is situated on the German "Weinstrasse", or wine trail.
Finally we were in Bad Dürkheim. We had lunch here in the wonderful old Restaurant Dürkheimer Faß (Faß means Barrel). I ordered us both a typical German meal: A paar of Rhineland Palatine fresh pork sausages (Bratwurst) with Bratenjus, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. When Calvin tried it he said, “What a delicious flavor!”
Normally you need a doggy bag at this restaurant, but we both licked our plates clean! After lunch we drove back through the rain to Kaiserslautern.
Fortunately I had backpack for Calvin with a blanket (the transport airplanes are so cold), a sleep mask and earplugs! It also contained underwear, socks, Tshirt, personal items, candy, and get well cards.
We both had a wonderful time - and one of our Heroes had a wonderful day, a wonderful Happy 4th of July 2005!
If you would like to help us provide Transitional backpacks for our next visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany please send me an e-mail: http://us.f812.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=josephinefs2654@gmail.com. In the past 4 weeks we brought 40 backpacks to Landstuhl and fulfilled a request for phone cards from a Major from the Army National Guard Liaison Office. In Kleber Barracks the soldiers can use free Internet and make free phone calls from the common rooms. But in the Landstuhl Hospital the wounded who cannot leave their beds need calling cards in order to call their family and loved ones! Phone cards are really needed for the soldiers in Landstuhl!
Angels here in Germany Manfred, Rudi, Willie and Irene!
If you would like to donate phone cards or other items for the backpacks please email Willie for the shipping address. Please include your first and last name and your home address on the e-mail. This way we know who sent things.
In the Kleber barracks from left:If anyone would like to help MaryAnn prepare our next visit in the Kleber Barracks contact her by email
PORT CALL — A rainbow arches over the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez as it pulls into the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, for an overnight port call, July 6, 2005. The visit marks the first time a U.S. Naval ship has visited Mombasa since 1999. Gonzalez is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and is participating in coalition maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Wes Eplen
Sgt Marvi Holden and Spc. Tom Blalock, from the 155th Brigade Combat Team, search a building for insurgents near Al Tunis, Iraq. Photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Lapinski.
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Tech. Sgt. Cedric Herron maintains an MH-53M Pave Low helicopter. Several aircraft from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were diverted here after an evacuation for Hurricane Dennis on July 8. Sergeant Herron is assigned to the 16th Helicopter Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jon Quinlan)
AL ASAD, Iraq – A military working dog, Fido, a 90-pound Belgian Malinois demonstrates his aggression while his handler, Sgt. Christopher Moulton, a Augusta, Ga., native holds him back during a training session here. The military workings dogs train daily to keep their senses keen throughout their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Photo by: Cpl. C. Alex Herron Read Story Associated with this photo
The U.S. Coast Guard
MOBILE, Ala. (July 11, 2005)--A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station New Orleans conducts an assessment of damage today caused by Hurricane Dennis along the Destin, Fla., shoreline. USCG photo by PAC Veronica Bandrowsky
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