Visitors from Pennsylvania

The summer of "visit before Ed and Shelly come home" was officially kicked off over the Memorial Day weekend by Jerome and Carol. The Chu's came over as a 1st Anniversary trip, and we were glad to host the trailblazers in what looks like a summer where we are going to see many more friends.

Here are Jerome and Carol, at Burg Eltz about 2 hours from Hanau in the Mosel Valley. The castle has been owned by the same family for over 800 years. Eltz was a bit odd in that it sits down in a valley which you would think would make it difficult to defend. In the end, it was the family's political ties rather than the defensive nature of the castle that allowed the property to remain in the hands of the original owners.

Shelly and Madison playing in the river (a stream really) that runs by the castle.

Carol and Shelly enjoying a radler at Fernblick, one of our favorite local places to enjoy a meal outdoors.

Jerome fits right in now, the Germans would never guess he is a tourist. All we need now are lederhosen.

Carol and Shelly at the castle in Heidelberg. Our weather started to deteriorate on this day; notice jackets and long pants. Two days earlier at Burg Eltz shorts and t-shirt were required.

A true Gator - Jerome shotgunning the 58124 gallon Grosses Fass. Jerome has a PhD from Florida; which obviously prepares their graduates for these challenges.

58,000 liters of wine wasn't enough for Jerome. Prost!!

Jerome and Carol in front of the Ploenlein in Rothenburg A.D.T. When we got up on Tuesday the weather had gotten worse, but we are Gator Tough YO!! so we hit the road. All the way the weather held firm, not that anyone else in the car would notice since my companions all took the liberty to nap for almost the entire length of the drive. I guess only one of us is truly Gator Tough. My toughness wore thin in about 5 minutes after we left the car. Cold, wind and rain. Time for lunch.

Jerome and I (Madison is hiding out in the dry confines of her chariot) waiting for a hot oil bath to warm us up a bit. I have to think that some invaders welcomed the hot oil treatment after spending a few days in the unpredictable German weather.

Madison looks like she is thinking "how many more times are my parents going to have friends visit and drag me around with them and mess up my schedule?" Madison has it tough. Jerome and Carol came over for quickie 6 day trip; which left everyone longing for more. Shelly tried her best peer pressure tactics to keep the Chu's around for a few more days, and even Mother Nature chimed in and broke up the wet weather. Unfortunately, there were responsibilities to attend to back in Pennsylvania. We have had great weather ever since, though.

Who's next? Keep checking in to see.