A Full-time Life

TRANSITION SEASON

 

It's just beginning to feel like Autumn here in Eugene.

 

 

These colors showed early last week on a short walk from our home to the Willamette River.  That day was warm -- shirt-sleeve weather; screen-door breezes when we got home.     But yesterday we had to turn on heat.    Summer is now officially over!  

 

Washington Park, Portland

Last weekend, we traveled to Portland for a short getaway in the big city.   We hadn't really seen much Fall color here at home by that time.  Portland was a little ahead.     I like watching the seasons change!   Summer to Fall is really the only big change we see these days, because we don't notice a whole lot of difference while we're in Florida.  

 

 

Washington Park, in Portland, is home to the Portland Zoo, the Japanese Garden, an arboretum, acres of hiking and walking trails, and a beautiful rose garden (Portland is known as the City of Roses).  Although so late in the season, the blooms still put on a beautiful show for us. 

 

 

We traveled to Portland via Amtrak and stayed downtown, where we walked (a lot).   We  used the City's excellent public transportation system to get to the Park. It was surprising to us that there were so few people on the square (living room?) downtown.  Especially compared to those where we hung out on our Europe trip  (or even more recently in Seattle.) 

 

 

 Grateful to be here for all the changes that make life so interesting.

 

Thank you to the hosts of the following sites where this post is linked:

 ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;

THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;  

TUESDAY TREASURES; SAY CHEESE;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; 

SIGNS SIGNS;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  

SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and   FRIDAY  BLISS; 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WURZBERG (on the MAIN RIVER)

 

Marienburg Fortress

on the Left Bank of the Main River

 Wurzburg is located  on two banks of the Main River in the Franconia region of Germany.    We had the above view from near where the boat was docked.   Franconia is known for its wine and Wurzburg is  home to Germany's oldest and largest vineyard.  (That is a different vineyard in the picture above --  the city is surrounded by them.)        This 13th-Century Fortress  was originally a Celtic fort and then was expanded into a  Baroque residence of bishops .                                                              

 

Two sides of the same sculpture

Our ship-board guide said Wurzburg's pedestrian zone had the best shopping in the region.  We didn't really shop, but did enjoy seeing this  sculpture by Mia Weiss.    That is two views of the same sign -- from each side.   (I'm sorry I didn't measure my steps better; obviously I was closer to the Love side.)    Here's what I found out about it by searching the net:

Since May 2019, several LOVE HATE sculptures by Mia Florentine Weiss have been travelling as ambassadors through various cities in Germany and Europe in support of democracy and humanism in order to strengthen the European idea according to the maxim MAKE LOVE NOT HATE!

The LOVE HATE ambigram by Mia Florentine Weiss, a larger-than-life-sized sculpture in public space, in its mirror-image reading, confronts the extremes of human emotions with each other and animates the viewer to question his or her own point of view by changing his or her perspective.    The mobile LOVE HATE sculpture by Mia Florentine Weiss was to be integrated into a cultural event as a highlight at the respective locations. With the participation in the art action #LOVEUROPE every city commits itself to love for Europe according to the maxim MAKE LOVE NOT HATE!

   

 

Bishop's Residence on the Right Bank of the Main 

 

The Wurzburg Bishops' Residenz  (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is on the other side of the River from the  Fortress.  (Those Prince-Bishops owned a lot of real estate in Germany.)    This one is massive (I was unable to get a picture of the entire structure).    It is a monument to the ways the royalty used their power (and enormous wealth.)    The palace was built between 1720 and 1744.   

No pictures were allowed  inside sadly.... we even had to check our bags at this palace.   The inside was breath-taking.  We remember the famous grand staircase with  the largest ceiling fresco in the world (it is called "The Four Continents -- all the artist knew about at the time).  From the Staircase, we entered the Imperial Hall which had marble and gold decorations and more frescoes by the Venetian painter Tiepolo .  (Disclaimer:  I remember his work, but certainly had to research for his name.)   

There were also beautiful formal gardens and we enjoyed strolling  around the grounds.

 

Kappele Baroque Masterpiece Church

Just a couple more "ordinary" churches photographed in passing .... I couldn't even begin to  show every photo-worthy structure in this City.

 

Neumunster Collegiate Church

 

We had a nice long day in Wurzburg, plus the boat was conveniently docked within walking distance of downtown.   This made it an ideal location for us to fill a regular prescription that Bill needed.  Finding out how to do that was an adventure in itself.   From the helpful local pharmacist we learned the location of a walk-in clinic where he could visit a Dr and (hopefully) get the necessary local prescription.  ... And it worked! 

  

 

High-school German (from oh, so many years ago) gave us the basic gist of this sign:   "Dear Patients:  We don't necessarily see patients in the order in which they enter.  Thank you for your understanding."     But Bill was seen quite promptly and while waiting we visited with local people -- this definitely wasn't a tourist place!   In fact, they really had no way of dealing with people who weren't on the national insurance -- they had no way to accept credit cards and no change.  We ended up paying almost nothing -- and the office manager smiled and was more than pleasant all through the transaction.   We went back to the same Pharmacy and the prescriptions were ready promptly.

Routine errands, made interesting by virtue of our being in another country.  We were impressed by  -- and grateful for -- the efficiency and caring of the staff at the clinic and the pharmacy.  And interested in comparing both to our country.

 

 

It was a beautiful walk along the river back to the Viking Ship Skirnr, our home-away-from-home for this trip. We made it in plenty of time for departure to the next stop.

 

 

 

Linking this week to the following:  Thank you to all of the hosts:

 ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;

THROUGH MY LENS;   OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;   COUNTRY SCAPES;  

TUESDAY TREASURES; SAY CHEESE;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; 

SIGNS SIGNS;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  

SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and   FRIDAY  BLISS; 

BEAUTIFUL BAMBERG

Bamberg really was the prettiest town!   

Founded in 902, the many historical churches and  homes mean it still looks like a medieval city.   It's almost like the whole town is an historic work of art.

  

Alte Rathaus (old City Hall)

In the 14th Century, the citizens of Bamberg wanted to build a city hall that served both sides of the town, which is divided by the Regnitz River.    Their solution was to build a bridge across the river and place the Rathaus (town hall) on a man-made island in the middle.  

 

 

Baroque and rococo touches were added to the building in 1746.  The pictures above are the same building -- this part of it is slightly visible in the very first picture  in this post -- on the left corner from the half-timbered part of the building.   From this location, there are beautiful city and river views.  

 

 

It  is probably no surprise to anyone that most of my pictures include river views.  

 

 

Lots of water and boats.  Bamberg has been called "Little Venice".       

 

Heller Haus

 This building  was the birthplace of Joseph Heller, a historian and art collector.  I really don't have much more information about him, but the building is so pretty.  It looks like it is made out of Wedgewood pottery -- or sugar icing!    The statue on the end of the bridge in front  of it is  Queen (and Saint)  Cunigunde, the wife of one of the Holy Roman Emperors and a patron of Bamberg.     

 

 

Another mystery  -- this three-dimensional sculpture  is on a wall on the Mager Building in the old town.  I don't know the significance, but was fascinated by it.

 

Original Schlenkeria Smoked Beer. 

There has to be something silly about every stop -- in Bamberg for us it was trying this strongly smoke-flavored beer at the historic brewery tavern that is its birthplace.    I'll just say that 'trying' was the operative word (for both of us).   Definitely not 'finishing'.  

 

 

These pictures are from our balcony, shortly after we re-boarded the Skirnr.   This was the most bird life we'd seen from the boat.    There were geese, ducks and ducklings,  and several swan families.    It was the perfect ending  to this beautiful day.

 

 

Linking to the following this week with thanks to the generous hosts:

  ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday;  TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;   TUESDAY TREASURES ;  SAY CHEESE;     MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;   SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   FRIDAY  BLISS;   and   SATURDAY CRITTERS    

 

NATURAL WONDERS -- closer to home

 

Cape Flattery

It's time for some more recent travel pictures  -- and definitely time for some pictures of our beautiful natural world.  Toward the end of last month, we went on a ten-day road trip to Washington State.   The next two shots are from the new Point Defiance Aquarium in Tacoma.

 

 

These are straight from the camera shots -- the jellyfish tanks had the best lighting ever.  

 

 

The jellies were almost hypnotic!   

 

Seattle  Spheres 

 

The Spheres are workplaces for Amazon employees in downtown Seattle.  Seattle's a pretty amazing city anyway, but it is jaw-dropping to come upon these spheres in the middle of it!    (Read about them here.)

 

After great visits with family in Tacoma and Seattle (and as usual for me, too few people pictures) we  drove North to the very tip end of the Olympic Peninsula.   

 

 

These pictures aren't in any particular order  -- just a little taste of what we saw along the way.

 

 

Bill got to indulge in his love of mountain driving on the way to the Makah Reservation at the tip of the Peninsula.     I  got to enjoy a hike through the forest  (on a sometimes iffy board walk).  Beautiful forest views along the way and of Cape Flattery once I reached the top.  

 

 

Roses and hollyhocks -- and hollyhocks and roses!

 

On our way home again, just a little way into Oregon, we stayed at an RV Park in Netarts.  It really was a pretty place  -- with gardens to wander through, the ocean across the street -- and (important to those of us who do old-people camping) a very easy drive to good restaurants.

 

    These lazy elephant seals just across the street from our spot were quiet neighbors. 

 

Olympic National Park

 

Grateful to visit with family -- for the interesting places they showed us  (and this post was just a tiny taste  of those)  -- and for the beautiful natural places we saw when we took the long way home.

 

Linking this week to the following:  Thank you to all of the hosts.

 

SATURDAY CRITTERS;  NATURE NOTES;   ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY; MACRO MONDAY   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; THROUGH MY LENS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday;  COUNTRY SCAPES;     TUESDAY TREASURES ;  SAY CHEESE;    MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;   SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and  FRIDAY  BLISS;      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NUREMBERG (Day 9)

Our tour  guidebook said that our visit to Nuremberg would be a complex and intriguing excursion.     I can't think of a better way to describe this beautiful city.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

  Nuremberg -- old and new 

 

World War II reminders were everywhere on this trip but nowhere more so than here.  That's what we expected to see and learn more about.    Prior to and during WWII, Nuremberg was the site of the huge parade grounds where Nazi rallies and military drills  were held.    Recently, after much debate, a decision was made to preserve  these grounds as a reminder of the country's dark past.  (The grandstands are deteriorating badly and the debate was whether to demolish or repair.)  

 

 

On the day we visited, part of the infamous site  was being used as a temporary campground -- if I understood correctly, many visitors were in town to attend a rock concert.  I'm not sure what to think about that  use, but maybe happy vibes are good.      On the lower left is one of several picture the tour guide showed us as our bus passed the parade grounds.        On the right is my picture of the same grounds.    It was easy to imagine the real and terrible events taking place as we viewed both pictures.    

Our tour guide was excellent --   respectful and knowledgeable.  We did not walk around at this stop, but stopped several times for pictures and  presentations.    

 

 

Imperial Palace

  I was so sure that this tour would be all about World War II that the rest of what we saw and learned surprised me.  The part I did not expect started at the top of Castle Hill, where our the walking tour began.       This is the Imperial Palace, a symbol of the City.    During the Middle Ages, every Holy Roman Emperor  stayed here at some time.   Nuremberg was a walled city with this safe fortress at the center.

Much later in time, the Palace also served an important purpose.    Shortly after  WWII began, an art storage depot was established in the ancient cellars under the Castle.  In this way, the City's most important art treasures survived the heavy air raids intact.  

 

 

 

Although air raids destroyed most of the medieval city walls, around three miles of them with original gateways and watchtowers still remain.                                          

 

 

From the top of the hill we walked toward the City's Old Town.  We had a short guided orientation ending in the Town Center....

 

 

Der Schone Brunen

(The Beautiful Fountain)

.... at this ornate Gothic fountain  which dominates Market Square.  The Fountain is an early 20th Century  replica of the original  built in the 1300s.  It depicts figures from the Holy Roman Empire and the Church. 

We then had some time to explore on our own.   

 

 

We did some window-shopping in the Market Square.     Nuremberg was once known as the toy-making capital of Europe -- mostly hand-carved wooden toys (although my photo obviously shows softer toys).     

It has always been well-known for its famous Lebkuchen — a cookie made with ground almonds and nine spices.  And delicious.  (Okay, it was more than window-shopping at Wicklein Lebkuchen Workshop, where they've been baking since 1613.)  

We  were told that it is a Nuremberg tradition to serve three German sausages in one bun.  The price seemed reasonable enough if sausages are your thing.  

 

The guide had told us to be back at the Beautiful Fountain  when it was time to head back to the bus.  It was a great meeting place --  Nobody could forget or miss this spot!     The top middle picture is somebody trying to reach the lucky ring.      Tradition says  your wish  will be granted if you turn that certain ring three times.  Our guide said it used to be gold, but because of all the touching and pushing and pulling it has been replaced several times.

 Back on the bus (and back to the 20th Century)  we stopped at the Palace of Justice, where the Nuremberg War Crime Trials took place in 1945 and 1946.

Palace of Justice, Nuremberg  

 

We joined our guide  in hoping that peace and justice prevail in this world and that we do not forget history. 

 

Linking this week to the following, with thanks to all of the hosts:  

  ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY;  TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; THROUGH MY LENS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday;     TUESDAY TREASURES ; SAY CHEESE;    SIGNS SIGNS;    MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;   SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   FRIDAY  BLISS;