What do you get when you drive six hours round-trip for only two hours of actual sight-seeing?

Our trip to Belgium and the Netherlands.

I think we've finally figured out that it's better to see things closer to home if we want to actually see things. As it was, we had a fine lunch and some time wandering in Liège, Belguim and then a miniscule amount of time in Maastrich, Netherlands.

The trip had quite a few highs and lows.

High point: The citadel overlooking Liège had a wonderful view.

Low point: I didn't get any Belgium chocolates.

High point: The weather was the warmest its been in over a week.

Low point: I didn't get any Belgium waffles, either. We were too full from that éclair we ate (high point).

High point: We saw a giant semi-truck with its contents of potatoes strewn all over the freeway. That almost made the traffic worth the wait. I mean--who doesn't like freshly picked potatoes?

Low point: Did I mention we drove for six hours?

Ok, enough whining. Here's some Belgium pics:

It's Here

I've been in denial for weeks. I've had to start wearing my heavy coat outside, the leaves have changed and are starting to fall, the heat in our apartment is definitely on, but I have maintained the hope that somehow I would wake up to warm weather again. However, today I saw a sure sign of the change in the seasons: all the lovely ice cream shops in the pedestrian shopping area have been turned into schokolade and konditorei stores. If it's too cold for the Germans to eat ice cream, it must be Autumn.

Big Red Chair

We had a difficult decision to make on Saturday: what to do? My folks had only left us a few days before and we had spent the previous week exploring our hearts out. What could compare to all of the wonderful things we'd already seen?
How about the largest chair in Germany?
(I think I hear ooo-ing and aah-ing from some readers out there)

The Return of the Parentals

Eventually the day came when (sigh) it was time for the folks to get on the plane to go back to the States. It was sad to see them go. I think we all expected Kiddo to give a longing farewell at the airport (which would certainly be reason for his grandparents to have a return visit), but it didn't happen. It wasn't until the next morning at breakfast that I could tell the reality of the situation--the grandparents were gone, Brandon was at work, Kiddo and I were home alone again--really sunk in as he and I had the following conversation:

H: Papa? [his name for Grandpa]

Me: No, Papa's not here. He went to the airport.

H: Airport. (Thinks for a second.) Boat?

Me: No, airplanes. Papa took an airplane back home.

H: (Thinks for a second. Starts crying.)

Now it's back to once a week video chats and showing Kiddo pictures of family when he asks for them. We loved having family here and wish it were possible to have more visits more often (hint, hint). But, as Brandon says, "ostaju nam vrapci." Thanks for the visit, mom and dad! We love you!

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--Heidelberg

Our last stop! Heidelberg! A beautiful city with a very impressive old castle. It must have really been a sight to see back in its heyday.

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--The Rhine

We headed north via Luxembourg; however, we don't have any real pictures other than stuff that looks like this:



Yeah. It had been a busy trip. (If you want to see what our Luxembourg experience was like when we went a few weeks ago, check it out here.) Luckily, we woke up enough to check out a few more places while the folks were here.
Yep, that's right. There's more!

We'd heard a lot about the Rhine River, so we went to check it out at Bingen and explored the Klopp Castle while we were there.



Then across the river we went to see Rüdesheim, a monument or two, and have a fabulous lunch. (Are all my posts about food? You should know the answer by now: Yes.)

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--France

Next we decided to give France a try. Why not, right? We went to Strasbourg, France just long enough to take some pictures, eat some kangaroo (it was gooood!), and get caught in the rain. Although the pictures don't look like it, we got good and wet after we'd stayed a couple of hours.



Then we headed to Nancy, France! Nancy is the birthplace of not one, but two culinary concoctions! Quiche Lorraine (the one I tried there was--without a doubt--the best I've ever had in my entire life!) and macaroons (we tried the "original recipe" and it was only ok). We also went to an authentically French restaurant (we waited an hour for our food...with a 19-month old...) and had a fabulous steak dinner. Sigh.
Oh, and the city was pretty, too.



Our first France experience was in Metz, France. We were excited to show the padres this city and get another chance to check it out ourselves.

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--Stuttgart

It's hard to top seeing the castles in Bavarian Germany. So we went to Stuttgart. Stuttgart, you ask? Yes, Stuttgart. My (Felicia's) maternal great-great grandmother lived in Stuttgart when she was a little girl, so we went to the city to "feel" what it was like. And what do you know? It's a pretty neat place. It's a shame we didn't know great g-ma's address, because it would have been über cool to see where she lived. On a side note, we went to our first German Mexican restaurant. Nothing says authentic Mexican like Germany.

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--Castles

Then it was time to see some castles! First was Hohenschwangau (nope, I still can't pronounce it)...



...and then the famous Neuschwanstein!

There and Back Again: A Parental Tale--Bavaria

Our adventure then took us south to Bavarian Germany--with a stop in Austria, since we were down there.




And then lunch in Mittenwald...



...and ended the day with a tour of Linderhof.