The Best Laid Plans....

Linda and Kevin arrived yesterday from JFK.  The kids excitedly repeated, "Linda and Kevin are coming," our entire drive to the airport.  We jumped right into the day, as Linda accompanied Emily on her art tour - the exhibit "Glam!" seemed fitting for my 1970's loving aunt.  We walked through the "America" festival downtown and watched people from outdoor tables at Starbucks.  We ended the day with a walk to our favorite German restaurant.

I planned a day in the "romantic" Rhine Valley to view the storybook castles and a traditional German town.  Beverly, my go-to travel agent, suggested a walk around Bacharach, a boat ride to St. Goar. and a tour of Rheinfels Castle.

As we headed to Bacharach, I realized the boats only ran twice.  If we went there first, we could be stuck for several hours in St. Goar.  So, we redirected and drove to St. Goar and Rhieinfels Castle and dropped the boat tour.

For five centuries, Rheinfels, the unconquerable fortress, remained the biggest castle in the area.  Now, it is considered the best ruins on the Rhine.  We roamed the ruins, climbed a tower, and ate some snacks.

We drove down to Barcharach, a half-timbered village for lunch.  I led the group to several Rick Steve's favorites, but both had just closed thirty minutes before.  We ate (just okay) food at a random German cafe.  At least we made it to Eis Cafe Italia, the original gelato place in town.