Rachel Carson Conservation Park, Brookeville, MD, 4/23/23, Revisited

 

Remembering the pollinator meadow at the Rachel Carson Conservation Park we visited last summer, 

I was curious to check the state of growth of the pollinators in late April.  

Turns out we were just a few weeks too early.

For comparison, see photo below of the same meadow last July. 

Black Forest Highlands Heritage trail (Heimatphad), Hinterzarten, Germany, 10/10/22

Starting from the Hinterzarten train station, 

 we set off walking the forest paths, taking in the fall colors. 

Above, a ditch with clever erosion control. 

After crossing the tourist town of Hofgut Sternen with busloads of tourists exploring the glassblower and ropemaker exhibits, and historic tollhouse, we reach the small St. Oswaldkappelle. 

The chapel, dedicated to St Oswald, a 7th century king and martyr, was built in 1148, and is the oldest church in the High Black Forest.  Above, skull and bone visible from the subfloor.

Crossing the Ravenna viaduct, 

climbing high through the romantic Ravenna Gorge,

and emerging on an upland moor. 

To the left, note the traditional farm house with solar panels and wood pile. 

See detail below.

Back by train to our Freiburg Airbnb.  

Above, photo of our bohemian and pictoresque street. 

Bye bye Freiburg.  

Seen at the train station the next morning for our ride back to Brussels, 

a tower of all Ritter chocolates, one of my favorite chocolates.

 

Freiburg Walks, Freiburg Germany, 10/6-10/9, 2022

Capital of the Black Forest, Frieburg is an ancient and lively university town with a sense of humor. Considered the sunniest town in Germany, it makes good use of the this free source of energy and is almost entirely powered by a large solar farm just outside of town. 

Since the 13th century "streamlets" have lined every street with water that was used to put out fires. Today, children delight in water play.

We explored the city with my cousins and their husbands.  Above, celebrating my cousin-in-law Edward's birthday on our tiny Airbnb balcony. Note our delight in savoring german pastries.

Market day by the cathedral (on the left.) Note the buildings on the right look clean and well maintained; that's because they are actually new.  Freiburg was heavily bombed during WWII and the city was almost entirely rebuilt.

Miraculously, the cathedral dating from 1200 was spared from bombing. Above, on the wall next to the entrance, note the date 1270 and the oval and round marks. These were the official bread sizes used to check the size of a just purchased loaf of bread and prevent cheating. 

Another unique feature distinguishing Freiburg are mosaic coats of arms in the cobblestoned streets.  Each merchant has its own.  Above, the book merchant, the wine dealer, the furniture maker and the tailor.