Rödelsee

Older Americans reading this, do you remember those Volkswagen commercials? Where they sang, drawing it out weirdly, "Faaahr vergggnuuuugen...." Driving enjoyment... That's going to be us, in our very bright red, automatic VW T-Roc as we cruise the back roads of Franconia today.

Where are we ultimately headed? A small town/village called Colmberg, to stay in a castle for a couple nights. It's the big splurge on our vacation, which we booked long before we added the Rhine, and then Berchtesgaden.

We had a couple stops we wanted to make. There were two castle ruins along the route. Short hikes to each, and since we won't be getting in a lot of walking today, why not? There was also the wine town of Iphofen. I wanted to hit up a couple, but it didn't work out that way.

Part one of the drive, we picked up the car in Nuremberg, got out of the city no problem. It had its on navigation system which we didn't pay for, but it seemed to work. We also had google maps thanks to our trusty Russian burner phone and Austrian sim card.

It was a pretty drive. The sun was coming out, but it was a little misty in places. There was a lot of rolling farmland. We passed by villages. There was even a castle by the side of the road, or a castle-like building. I know some people are strict with the definition of what is, and is not an actual castle. Me, being an uncouth American, I see rounded towers and battlements/ crenellation and I think castle. Technically, there are no battlements, but it had that castle look to it.

We found the first castle ruin. Not much going on, but it was a nice walk, nice views from the top of the hill. The other one sounded like it would be better. We turn off the main road, just a road, not the Autobahn or anything. Okay, fine, a little narrow, a little twisty. We turn off again. Again. Hmm, this is dirt and gravel. In a rental car, without specific "dirt and gravel" or "off road" protection.

Then we realize (when we see the farm), we're on private land. The ruins are on the other side of the woods, which seemingly are on private land, with no other way to get there. So okay, the Germans have this thing, it's all right to pass through private land as long as you don't mess with anything. Not so much with a car, as there were big signs a little further down even Herr Hai could read-- VERBOTEN-- that was the word he recognized. Thank you Hogan's Heroes, for giving us rudimentary Germany lessons. I got the gist of the rest-- you better not drive down my road.

So that was off. We turned around, and headed off to our next stop. It was getting on to lunch time anyway. So Iphofen, here we come.

Note the picture of the weird tear drop thing in the traffic circle. And not a clue what the Confederate battle flag was about as there were no other flags or signs, but found it photo-worthy.Read more