Gerolsteiner Dolomites

Some 380 million years ago a subtropical sea covered the area creating a mighty fossil reef, which is today known as Gerolsteiner Dolomites. 

Several hiking trails lead along geological as well as historical features presenting an ocean-less reef, ancient lava flows, an ice age cave, crater lakes, and a tamed cold water geyser. 

There will also be some Roman and some medieval content, as well as some wildlife.

A reef without an an ocean

Buchenloch cave

In more recent times (30,000 years ago) volcanic activities shaped the landscape we see today.

Ash layers from several volcanic eruptions

Kasselburg, a 12th century castle

Juddekirchof - Celtic-Roman origin

Villa Rustica Sarabodis

Happy hikers

Timber wolves and polar wolves

Wallenborn - cold water geyser

Crater lake trilogy

Gemündener Maar

Schalkenmehrener Maar

Weinfelder Maar

And finally! A sunset to write home about...

Life is good!

Reichenau Island

In the 9th century the first monastery was built on the island which quickly became the center of religion, culture and science. In the next two centuries two more churches were added. In 2000 Reichenau was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.

We encountered quite stormy weather, but at least it was dry most of the time.

St. Georg

Abbey Reichenau

St. Peter and Paul

A Canadian-Swiss-German Reunion

We had the opportunity to meet again with blogger-friends. Our Swiss-Canadian friend had travelled all the way from Ontario in order to meet friends and family after the long Covid-induced separation. Another mutual Swiss dog-walking blogger-friend joined the reunion and we had a great time in the historic lake-town of Arbon, hiking along the lake shore and enjoying Swiss-Italian fusion cuisine.