A lesson in (recent) history

Once upon a time, before the wall came down in 1989, Germany had been two countries, and the region (Fulda Gap in military terms) we are visiting today was pretty much off limits. The border through the beautiful low mountain range of Rhön was heavily secured by mines, walls, and fences, guarded day and night by East German border patrols and snipers. For obvious reasons West-Germans didn't really want to live there unless they had to. It was a poor and forlorn place with very limited opportunities.

30+ years went by since Germany became united. Once fences, towers and military equipment were removed, the region came to life. The city of Fulda became the new economic hub of a united Germany and the Rhön region thrived through tourism with focus on ecology and biodiversity.

Point Alpha: A memorial of the cold war 

US camp watchtower

US camp mess hall

Playing tour guide for friends and some autumn colours

As if there wasn't anything else on the menu all our visitors have only one request: Let's go see Heidelberg. The weather played along nicely, and we complied... it is a lovely city after all.

We noticed lots of folks celebrating German Unity Day... or maybe they were here for the wine fest? Anyway, the pedestrian zone had been packed with people.

        

     

It's about time to consider mulled wine the billboard is suggesting.

After crossing the restored old bridge with the old towers over the river Neckar we had to visit the main attraction Heidelberg castle, which is almost fully restored now. We noticed a single scaffolding left around one of the towers. Great work!

An evening walk led to hunting for some fall foliage. We do not get the spectacular colours you might see in the US or Canada but our trees are doing a pretty good job this year.