Germany on a pair of wheels

So I wake up around 1 PM on Saturday (jet lag sucks) and the sun was shining. It was as if I had woken up back in California. I was determined to make the most of this rare moment of sun so I put my bike in the car and headed for the Romantic Road. Right before I left for CA, I rode the German Wine Trail (Deutscheweinestrasse) from Bad Durkheim to Neustadt where I rode through the vineyards of Germany's most famous wine region. Instead of biergartens, they had weingartens (see pix). Anyhow, I was ready for yet another ride.

Back to the Romantic Road, this scenic route runs from Frankfurt in Hessen all the way down to the Austrian border for a total of 420 kilometers (roughly 280 miles) https://www.romantischestrasse.de/?lang=uk .

Since I had limited time, I only did a little over 35 km. The journey started in the breathtaking medieval town of Rothenburg (see pix of entry to the old city) and ended in the town of Dinksbuehl.

My legs and knees disagree with me but the ride was fantastic! The sun was shining, the tulips and wildflowers were in full bloom, and seemingly all of Germany was outside enjoying every minute of it.

Jumping to another subject, I had the chance to chat with a really interesting chap during my ride back from the Frankfurt Airport. This guy was a two deployment veteran who served in the infantry with the mechanized unit out of Baumholder (a Army post about a half hour north of Ramstein). He was telling me what it was like downrange and his stories were riveting. For instance, his vehicle was hit by an IED on three different occasions. Luckily he is still with us all to tell his story. Sadly the same can't be said for some of his buddies. He was stationed in Ramadi which, unfortunately, is a cesspool for insurgents. Anyhow, he also mentioned that since separating from the Army (after spending 3 of 4 years in Iraq, who could blame him?) he stuck around Germany, met a fraulein and joined a heavy metal band as a drummer. If you get a chance, check out their website at http://myspace.com/thehandofglory and vote for his band to play in "Summerfest". It's amazing to me that all this guy wants after giving so much to the US is a chance for his band to play a regional heavy metal festival. Pretty amazing stuff...and his music isn't bad either!

...and the next thing I knew I was back in Germany

Damn. My vacation to California lasted around 216 hours but it felt like less than 3. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine to be back in the land of Liederhosen and carbohydrates but I can't say enough how much I enjoyed being home in the Golden State and the US. Nearly a year and a half passed since I last visited CA and it allowed me to "rediscover" the place I once called home. Here are some random observations, both good and bad, in no special order:

1. You can't beat the colors of California...things such as the flowers, the clothing, the people...all of these seemed so much more vibrant under the California sunshine.

2. The smog was burning my eyes. I always thought people were joking about this but it's true. I think I never really noticed it when I lived there.

3. The hefeweisen in CA doesn't even come close to that in Germany

4. I never seen so many Toyota Priuses in my life. Before I left, I only saw a few on the road. This time around, seemingly every other person had one. At 3.85 a gallon for the cheap stuff, it's no wonder why they do it.

5. Things like seeing friends and family, going to a Dodger game, visiting Santa Barbara, throwing a baptism party for Baby Luke, watching a movie in Burbank, sitting on a beach in Newport, eating real Mexican food, etc can really make one not want to leave.

It's true: Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

Fortunately, the weather got a lot better here in Germany upon my arrival. Looks like I brought the sunshine back with me. I took full advantage! More to come in the next posting...

So long, winter!!!

California bound, baby! It’s hard to believe but I haven’t been back home to CA since 2006. I haven’t been back to the US since I left Louisiana in Mar of 07. What a great feeling.

As you can see in the pix, I am leaving behind some miserable weather. Even though the snow has melted away around a week ago, it still has been a particularly cold winter here in Germany. We’ve been pounded by snow, rain, and everything in between. I am still trying to decipher the difference between sleet, hail, and freezing rain. I never thought I would say this but I really think the dreary weather is starting to get to me. I’ve got a buddy stationed in the UK who states that their Medical Group provides “sessions” of exposure to a special light that is supposed to replicate the effects of sunshine. While at first it sounded kooky, I am now starting to see the light (if you get my drift).

Anyhow, I’ve been compiling a “to do list” for things I want to do back home in CA. I compiled a similar list when I arrived in Europe. Just then, I thought about what a German would do if he was to visit CA for the first time. I’m guessing their list would be something like this:

Go to Hollywood (see all the movie stars)
Shop at Rodeo Drive
Go to Sacramento and see famous Austrian hero/Governor
Wear Speedo while visiting Muscle Beach in Venice
Attempt to learn how to surf in San Diego

My list is a bit more boring. Here are a few samples in no specific order:

Catch up with friends and family
In and Out Burger
See a movie with family in Burbank
Grab a pint at Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena
Do absolutely nothing so long as I’m outside in the sun!

As for travel, I haven't done squat for the last few weeks. I've exhausted every excuse in the book to sit around. I blame the weather. As a parting shot, the pix to the right is a travel rewind shot of JJ and I wrestling in a park in Dublin.

Easter in Bavaria

Happy Easter/Frohe Ostern!

We were lucky enought to spend this Easter in Garmish and Munich. The original plan was to head over to Salzburg, Austria for the holiday but heavy snow here in Rhineland Pfalz caused us to delay/rearrange our trip. We both agreed that Salzburg will have to wait until the weather warms up.


We put a new spin on this trip to keep things interesting. Rather than drive in the snow, we decided to take the train for the Bavarian leg of our journey. Rewind to November and we found ourselves slipping and sliding all over the Autobahn trying to reach the Alps town of Garmish (our SUV still has a small souvenier from that trip). Anyhow, I've always wanted to take the train through this picturesque part of Germany and it was absolutely worth it!


After spending Easter morning in Garmish, we hopped back on the train and headed up to Munich. The leg of the journey was really incredible. We passed through numerous quaint villages complete with half timbered houses and religious murals. About half way there we also passed by a massive lake that reflected the snow capped Alps perfectly. I was ready to hop off the train right there and then.

When we arrived in Munich, I had the duty to find us a place to eat that night since it also happened to be my birthday. Now in most cities this may present a challenge but in Munich there is only one place I would want to go for a birthday dinner: The world famous Hofbrau Haus. The picture to the right shows me downing one of two Hefeweisens I enjoyed that night. As an added bonus, both kids were conked out minutes after we arrived so Jen and I had an hour or so to chat like adults (no mention of Disney Princesses, mac and cheese, ballet moves, etc). It was the best present I could have asked for from my kids.

On a different note, only two weeks to go before I head back to the Golden State. It's about time!

Another Brother Sighting???

Found ourselves in Munich's Nymphemburg Palace on the 24th and saw this picture of my brother Daniel...at least it looks like him. The caption claims this is a young King Ludwig II of Bavaria but he's a dead ringer for my older brother.