Pottenstein, Germany

We had a rare free day on Saturday to explore a local area.  It was an insanely busy week for all of us, so we picked an obvious local spot that we had on our list to visit:  Pottenstein!
 

Why Pottenstein, you ask?  Because... mountain coasters and alpine slides!  (Or, as they say here... The Frankenbob and the Frankenrodel!)  Grant of course, was very nervous about all of this.  But Daddy promised him it would be okay so he actually went on it, and LOVED it!  Naturally, my big daredevil girl was totally jacked up about these rides!
 

 

Two tickets to paradise.

 

I'm not even scared, Mommy!  Here we are going up the Frankenrodel for the first time.
 

Mommy selfie (Natalie and Todd are behind me) for proof that I was actually there and actually rode these rides!
 

Look ma!  No hands!  (He would only do this on the way up ha ha)
 

Remember Disneyland Paris?  Ha ha!  Here we go again!  Clearly Grant and I did not know our picture was being taken!
 

But of course it is.
 

After we rode the rides a couple of times, we went over to the biergarten for some schnitzel lunch.  THIS KID eating a lemon.
 

The biergarten is situated on the Schöngrundsee.  It's really just a very small lake but it has a lot of self paddle boats that you can ride for a half hour for a small fee (€7 for all four of us).
 

Bailey family selfie on the Schöngrundsee.
 

Pardon my weird face but these kiddos were just so cute!
 

Ahhhh.  Relaxing in mah boat.
 

The ducks on the lake were totally unafraid.  They came right up to our boat, probably expecting a treat, which we did not have.  Natalie kept telling the female ducks to go find themselves a husband.
 

After our half hour "adventure" on the boat, we had to reward ourselves with BIG SANDWICHES and some beer.  (See photo down below for the BIG SANDWICH).
 

It's like hot fresh french fries in 45 minutes!  Except it's popcorn!  (Inside joke with my brother!)
 

After our dessert break, it was time for more Frankenbob and Frankerodel (until it started raining, anyway).
 

I tried my best to take pictures while I was on the Frankenbob and Frankerodel, but since I was the adult on the ride, I had to actually control the sled, which made picture taking virtually impossible.
 

Managed to snap one of me and Nat on the Frankenbob and one of me and Grant on the Frankenrodel.  (I think I got that right?) Full speed ahead!
 

Soon, it started sprinkling and then raining a bit harder.  They won't let you ride the alpine slide in the rain, so that left us limited at the Sommerrodelbahn Pottenstein.  We were out of expensive tickets anyway (€50 for 6 rides each, a total of 24 rides) so we drove down the street to the Teufelshöhle Pottenstein, which is a dripstone cave that is, at 1500 meters, the longest in Germany!
 

Welcome to Teufelshöhle Pottenstein!  This cave is the longest in Germany, but it's also the largest in Franconia Switzerland.
 

The entrance to the caves.  This is the only place you can take a picture using your flash.  Boo!
 

BIG SANDWICH!!!!!
 

Thankfully, as soon as we were finished with the mountain coaster and alpine slide, it started raining.  (In fact, it started raining on our last run).  That made it a perfect time to visit an indoor cave.
 

We purchased tickets, had a beer, and then joined the mostly-German group for the tour of the caves.  First, an actual human being gives a little spiel about the caves, and then, as the group leaves, the English version comes over the loud speaker.  (If you plan on going here, make sure you tell the guy who takes your tickets that you need to hear the English version!)  In the first main room, the "Devil's Hole," we saw a sign that roughly translated, said, "These examples show strong leaching by aggressive water in limestone by coal acid water corrosion essentially causing the something-or-other that won't translate!"
 

The lights change in the cave and I'm not entirely sure why.  Even though it's a bit blurry, the colors were really cool here.
 

The Pope's Crown.  So funny because that's exactly what it looks like!  It's between 10,000 and 12,000 years old!
 

Devil's Cave is named so because of the livestock who met their fate in these caves when they fell in and died.  This bear was over 12 feet tall and weighed about 900 pounds!
 

Bones of some of the animals who died in these caves.  Along with (at the top of the picture) a barrel of something!  Probably beer!
 

Now we are heading to the lowest point in the entire cave system, the Barbarossa Dome, which is about 230 feet below the surface.  We needed sweaters and jackets down here because the cave is at a constant temperature of 48 degrees F, or 9 degrees C.
 

This is the Kaisergarten, or the King's Garden (also known as Kaiser Barbarossa). Natalie and I thought it looked like a wedding cake!
 

Kaisergarten from the other side, looking down into the lowest point of the entire cave system.
 

I love the stalactites here! (For those who were wondering, stalactites grow from the ceiling.  Stalagmites grow from the ground.  Thank you Dr. Mylroie and your Water Resources class at Mississippi State!)
 

After climbing "Mount Calvary," you can see the "Crucifixion."  I can't find anything regarding why it's named this, but I'm going to guess it's because when Jesus was crucified, he was flanked by two criminals, each also nailed to a cross.  This certainly resembles that.
 

On our way to the Colossal Hall, I took this picture to show that this is still a cave work in progress.  These stalactites and stalagmites are still growing, and they grow at a rate of about 1 millimeter every 13 years!
 

The Colossal Hall is definitely colossal!  This hall features the tree and Goliath, both of which are thought to be over 300,000 years old, the oldest in the cave system.  Above, we see Goliath.
 

We dubbed this one "Jabba the Hut" ha ha.  In reality, it's the "tree" as it resembles a large tree trunk.
 

Looking back into the Colossal Hall as we were leaving.
 

A little boy making his way through the narrow cave system.
 

When you leave, you get to wind through some amazing rock sculptures before you make your way back to the entrance.
 

Natalie and the rocks.
 

The fam traipsing through the rock labyrinth.
 

The rocks form an interesting gorge that you have to walk through.
 

I'm guessing you know which of my family members knew I was taking this picture.
 

"Little Devil's Cave."  There also happens to be a little devil and a larger devil heading toward it in this picture.
 

This little devil decided he thought he could climb in this cave.  This cave isn't all the way open to anyone, just the entrance way.
 

So of course, a little girl thought she should follow.
 

And then, not to be left out, a little boy decided he wanted to do it.  Please note the terrified look on his face as Todd just let go of him a second before I took this picture!
 

As we left the caves, I snapped this picture of the entrance.  It's pretty easy to see from the road. You can't miss it.
 

After we visited the caves, we decided to head into the actual town of Pottenstein, which is LITTERED with half timber buildings.  
 

At least half of these are half timbered along the Hauptstraße.
 

A statue of Mary and some beautiful flowers in front of the Gastof Goldene Krone. 
 

We didn't get a chance to head up to the Burg Pottenstein on this visit, but here it is, up on the hill above the half timbers.  I can't wait to come back to visit as it's about a thousand years old, and is currently (actually!) occupied by the Baron and Baroness of Wintzingerode!
 

Lastly, we grabbed some dinner.  SOMEONE was on the verge of a migraine and was insanely grumpy.  I felt so bad for her (but don't worry, Daddy rubbed her head and we gave her some Motrin and all was well again!)

Until next time, Pottenstein!

Wildpark Hundshaupten, Egloffstein, Germany

Grant was supposed to have a track meet in Kaiserslautern this weekend, but at the last minute, we were told that it was only for kids ages 8 and up.  Boo.  So we cancelled plans to go to K-Town and made plans to "wing it" and find the first thing off the Autobahn that looked like fun.  The first brown sign we saw?  The Wildpark Hundshaupten in Egloffstein!  So off we went!
 

We heard the roar from a fake bear when we arrived!
 

Hello Mr. Emu!
 

Floodplain management using natural techniques. I LOVE IT!  They culverted the water down the mountain and it came out here, onto a carved out tree trunk and down into the creek.
 

 

These goats wanted to show off for us.  I like to think they were fighting for my attention.

 

The kiddos spotted some super large pigs.  Note that his belly is almost rubbing on the ground.  Mmmmmm. Bacon.
 

Todd decided the guy at the top was a rasta goat.  He seemed pretty mangy!  Poor fella. But someone was giving them snacks and they were happy.
 

 

Trampolines are EVERYWHERE over here.  The kids go CRAZY for them.  Grant got to go first.

 

 

Meanwhile, Natalie spotted a bison!  He was just hanging out around the trampolines.

 

Finally Nat got to jump with her brother.
 

She looks like Spiderman here!  She was very disappointed that she wasn't able to do back flips on this one, for some reason.
 

I spy two little goats on the rocky mountain!
 

We saw two beautiful elk who were able to get out of their pen area and go down and relax under the trees.
 

This child loves to move.  Here he is jumping off of a giant log.  His new favorite thing is Parkour.

The kids were excited to see reindeer.  This one is Donner, according to Natalie.

Down by the pond, the kids were watching the ducks and I told them to pretend that they actually liked each other.

 

 

This was literally the funniest moment of the day.  This group of very drunk men were stealing the maypole from this town.  It's a thing here.  To steal the maypole of the neighboring town is a really big deal.  They were SO funny.  I had to drive on the sidewalk to get around them.  But they all had beer and were yelling at us!  Super funny!  I wanted to tell them congratulations, but I wasn't sure how to say that in German!

 

Sheep on the hill!  That's a lotta sheep!  Until next time, Wildpark Hundshaupten!

Madrid, Spain

I had ONE day to myself in Madrid to see some of the sights I hadn't previously seen on the last two trips to Madrid that I've taken.  I like Madrid, but it's more of a strolling city to me than seeing sights.  Sure, there's plenty to see, but you can see the entire city in about 3 days.  I prefer Seville or Barcelona, but when in Rome......
 

First, I had to say goodbye to my good buddy, Bartholomew.  So long, fella.

Next, it was off to Atocha station to rent a locker to leave my suitcase in while I roamed around Madrid.  For about 5-10 Euros (depending on the size of the locker), you can rent lockers in the old terminal (where the tropical gardens are).  That's worth every penny, if you ask me!
 

I've been to Madrid twice before, but the first time I was there with friends in 2002, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) was closed.  When I went back with Todd for our honeymoon, we didn't really spend much time in Madrid (focusing more on Granada and Sevilla), so I didn't get to see it then, either.  So now, here I am, sans kiddos and I MUST finally see the Palacio Real!  Although it is the "official residence" of King Felipe and Queen Letizia, they don't actually live there.
 

The Cathedral de la Almudena.  This is just across the Plaza from the Palacio Royal. Felipe and Letizia got married here, but believe it or not, they didn't begin construction on this church until 1897, and it wasn't consecrated until 1993!   Construction was halted during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and didn't resume again until 1950. It's a baby in church years.
 

Looking toward the west, you can see the Campo del Moro gardens, pretty covered in greenery.
 

 

Once inside, the first stop is the Main Staircase.
 

The ceiling paintings above the Main Staircase are "The Triumph of Religion and the Church Protected by the Spanish Monarchy" by Corrado Giaquinto.
 

Gold and blue are my FAVORITE together!
 

HM King Felipe VI's standard on the balustrade.
 

More of "The Triumph of Religion and the Church Protected by the Spanish Monarchy."
 

 

The most breathtaking rooms in the palace (that I got to see) was the Gasparini Room (also known as the Chamber of Charles III).  The three dimensional details on the ceiling and the walls, heavy with gold and silk are incredible. My picture doesn't even begin to do it justice.  I can't find any decent photographic representations on the internet either!  Nothing that can compare to the real thing, anyway.  You'll just have to take my word for it!

 

Back around to the other side of the Main Staircase.
 

A statue of Charles III as a Roman Emperor.  The Palacio Real underwent many renovations during his reign (1759-1788).
 

Exiting the Palacio Real into the plaza and looking out toward the Cathedral de la Almudena.
 

After my nice stroll through the Royal Palace (sans kids, it was heavenly!), I stopped for some lunch along the Calle de Arenal.  I stopped at the Tapasbar San Martin 2 for a sammie and some wine. I have had some pretty good prosciutto sandwiches but this was the best one I had on my trip to Madrid this time.  The wine was excellent too, but the service was pretty awful.  I was finished with my meal for about 20-25 minutes before I could get the poor, overworked waitresses attention.
 

Walking down the Calle de Arenal.
 

Entering the circus-like atmosphere of the Puerta del Sol.  I'm not a huge fan of this part of Madrid.  I just get incredibly creeped out by people in fake Minni Mouse and Winnie the Pooh costumes.  And the guys who sit super still for money?  No thanks.  It's just too touristy and creepy for me.
 

The Directorate General of Media building (a local government building) in the Puerta del Sol.
 

Equestrian statue of who else?  Charles III, in the center of the Puerta del Sol.
 

There's nothing architecturally exciting about the Puerta del Sol, and the sheer number of fake Disney characters was really freaking me out, so I went down the road and found this stunning building!  It's in the Plaza de Canalejas, and it doesn't house anything important (just the usual... an optometrist, a few restaurants, and a Steak and Shake!)

 

The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, back in the Puerta del Sol.  This is on the coat of arms of the city of Madrid, and this particular statue was built in 1967.  I just thought he was super cute!
 

But soon it was time for me to head back to Atocha to retrieve my suitcase so I could catch the bus to the airport.  Atocha is a neat train station, with it's large tropical gardens housed in what used to be the old terminal.  Inside, it's nice and warm, and you can find dozens of turtles just hanging out!

I'm glad I finally got to see the Palacio Real in Madrid!  Until next time, Madrid!