Ozbrecht 2017 - Europe's Rhine & Danube Rivers
Miltenberg, Germany
Day 8 - June 30
A lock on the Main River. The ship clears on both sides by less than a foot
Main River lock. We are in our room, and from our balcony I set my wine glass on the cement platform of the dock. But I can’t leave it there long - we are going up, and I won’t be able to reach it!
Main River lock. Sheila and Andy from their balcony. The picture is from our balcony next door
Main River lock, from the Modi lounge. Going up!
Main River lock. Sheila and Kathy on the bow of the Modi. These locks were fascinating - we watched them whenever we could. Often, in the middle of the night, we would feel a little bump, and knew we were again in another lock
Kathy on the bow of the Modi. Behind her is the Aquavit Terrace, a more casual place to eat meals as an option to the formal dining room. We always ate in the dining room, primarily because we got to know and love the servers there.
Main River lock
Main River countryside
A Main River village
The enchanting, medieval town of Miltenberg. First settled by the Romans in AD 2, the town’s current architecture of half-timbered, gabled houses and narrow lanes reflect the 16th and 17th centuries
“There’s a red house over yonder.” Sorry for the musical references.
The pretzel at the front of a German establishment is a sign that there’s beer inside.
This is the Gasthaus zum Reisen, or Inn of the Giant, Germany’s oldest inn. Royalty would stay here
Gasthaus zum Reisen
Not sure how I got this picture with practically no one in the streets. There were plenty of folks around
Kathe Wohlfahrt, a store specializing in winter holiday gifts, is a chain store we saw in many towns
Kathy bought a Christmas tree ornament
Mildenberg Castle (note the different spelling) sits atop a small hill behind the town. We heard there are great views from there - let’s see!
Yes! Miltenberg on the right, along the Main River
On the left, Miltenberg Church and Museum
Miltenberg-Main River Panorama
One of our favorite towns
A view of the church
Miltenberg’s famous statue. No further commentary
Back to the Inn of the Giant
The Miltenberg Church and Museum
This half-timbered, gabled architecture was prevalent in Bavaria
Cuckoo!
A beer at Gasthaus zum Reisen. The girls are shopping!
Back to the Modi
Main River hay bales
You see tent camping all along the rivers. Many formal campgrounds, but also many informal campsites like this one
Oh, the dinners…
Evening on the Main River. Approaching the town of Wertheim. That’s a large castle on the hill
Is this an impressionist painting? Monet, perhaps? Naw - it was just very dark
Day 8 - June 30
The Main Locks & Miltenberg, Germany
The morning was filled with a casual float down the river; there were a few more castles along the way. Program Director Dawn challenges us all to a game of trivia. Guess who wins – the Lebrechts and Osbrinks, with help from our new friends Benny and Janet! Yes, we have very trivial minds. Our prize – two bottles of German Rhine wine. Tasty!
In the afternoon, we arrived at Miltenberg for our walking tour. One of our favorite stops, this small town has preserved its 16th and 17th century medieval feel. Mildenberg Castle sits on top of a small hill, built in the 1200s to protect the town’s important position as a trading post. The lanes are narrow, beautifully lined by half-timbered, gabled architecture.
Germany’s oldest inn is here, Gasthaus zum Reisen, or Inn of the Giant. It is a tavern and guesthouse where princes and emperors have stayed since the 12th century.
After our walking tour, we had free time, and walked up the narrow path to Mildenberg Castle. Although we don’t enter, the view of the town and river from the hillside is remarkable. Back down the hill, the girls did a little shopping, and Andy and I repair to the Gasthaus zum Reisen for a glass of local beer.
After dinner, The Shake Up Duo entertained us with Elvis songs. So fun to sing along!