Nuremberg and Auerbach, Germany and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

My dad has had cancer since 2011 and in August, he made the brave decision to stop all of his treatments.  They told him he had 4-9 months to live, so we tried to time it so he would have most of the chemo out of his system, but before he went downhill due to the cancer.  So we booked a trip to Florida for late September, which I will write about in another post.  Of course, we backed it RIGHT up to my brother and his family's trip to Germany.

The day after we got home, my brother Cory, his wife Brie and their kids Greta and James flew to Munich for a visit. It was preplanned months ago, and just happened to back up to our visit to see my family in Florida.

They spent the first couple of days in Munich (Oktoberfest!), and then came up to our area for a couple of days.  The first day, we took the train to Nuremberg and strolled around.  We crossed the Museum Bridge and looked out over the Pegnitz with James and Natalie.  

On the Schöner Brunnen (or, Beautiful Fountain), you can spin the rings several times for good luck! 

If you're small like Greta, you might need a little height help from your dad!

Greta really wanted to see some castles, so we took her to one of the best ones in Germany - Nuremberg Castle!

The views from the top are outstanding, especially on a sunny and warm day!

Although we didn't get out there on this trip, you can see in the distance, slightly right of center, something that looks like the Colosseum in Rome.  That's the Nazi Party rallying ground, and the site of the twice-a-year Volksfest.

The Sinwell Tower is within the courtyard, and was built in the latter part of the 13th century. It surprisingly survived the near destruction of the castle in 1945.  This tower is actually closed right now for some renovations.

We went up to the actual entrance but the castle was closing for the day, unfortunately.  In the summer, you can visit until 6 pm, but in October, it closes at 4.

The flower boxes still looked pretty, even though it was already October!

I love these blue and white flowers!  They're so pretty!

At the exact same time, Todd, Cory and I all got our phones out to take this picture. Todd was the winner though, cause his pic was the prettiest.

We grabbed some beers and took the train home so we could stop at our favorite pizza place, Da Teo for some dinner!  It was an eventful day that exhausted the kids.

So of course in an act of self torture, the very next day, we all got up and drove to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic!  We first stopped at a restaurant we ate at one of the last times we were there, the Charleston.  (Also, Cory and Brie got married in Charleston, so that was appropriate!)  James only wanted to make silly faces at lunch!

Cory and I have got some cute girls, don't we?

Did you think we could travel somewhere and he would forget to do this? Of course not!

That's better.

Fall colors and Karlovy Vary pastels.

The best thing about Karlovy Vary is that there's no agenda.  You just stroll.  And see things.  And taste some really minerally water.  And see some more things. And window shop.  We happened across this monument to American soldiers.  It reads:  "To the American soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and 9th Armored Division, 5th Corps from the Citizens of Karlovy Vary.  May 5th, 1945."

The kiddos and Brie went to look at the ducks on the Tepla River.

The Hotel Pavlov (really?  Like the dogs?) looks like a castle along the Tepla.

The Swales family along the Tepla under the colorful buildings of Karlovy Vary. 

Silly cousins in the Czech Republic!  ("Hey guys, remember that time we all went to the Czech Republic?")  I think Greta and Natalie look alike here!  And all four of them got their Pop Pop's chin!

Karlovy Vary is known for it's healing (or maybe I should say, "healing") mineral waters.  There are many of these small springs around the city in the various colonnades.  Cory stopped in the Mill Colonnade to have a sip.

Above the Market Colonnade, there's a series of very intricate buildings. 

You know I only take this photo every time because Grant is obsessed with the illuminati!

The last time we were in Karlovy Vary, we didn't get to see the fountains because they had a kayak race going on.  We got to see them this time, though!

Everyone wants ice cream?  Of course!  Time to get messy!

Todd and I were sitting on the wall when I noticed Cory was hanging out with the four kids eating ice cream.  It was so cute - I was thinking, if something were to happen to me and Todd, this is how my brother's life would actually be.  All four of these kids.

Go ahead and look for the best part of this photo though.  Thumbs up from the creeper!

We walked all the way down to the Grand Hotel Pupp and turned around and went back!

The architecture in Karlovy Vary can't be beat. If you can click on this picture and zoom in on it, it's really outstanding.

One of the best shots of Karlovy Vary comes from the Grand Hotel Pupp facing northeast.

The fountains are on!  The fountains are on!

As we walked back, we came across the back side of the Hot Spring Colonnade.  I think we know where it got it's name!

This is essentially the same shot as the one above, but now the hot springs have settled down. 

We went into the Hot Spring Colonnade for a taste.  The little ones didn't even seem to notice how metallic-y the water tasted!

Cory:  "James, go stand in front of that statue and I'll take your picture!"

We made the nice stroll back to the car park, enjoying the early fall air.

Girl cousins in Karlovy Vary.  This was just days before Greta turned 5!  I can't believe she's going to be in kindergarten next year!

As we were leaving Karlovy Vary, we noticed there were some hot air balloons flying over the city!

We toyed with the idea of going to Regensburg on the Swales family's last day in Germany, but the kids were all worn out from traveling around and we just wanted to spend time together as a family, so we stuck close and walked around Auerbach.  You can tell it was Sunday because Edeka is closed on Sundays!  Grant brought his remote control car - the Edeka parking lot on a Sunday is the best place for this!

Every year I've been here, I've LOVED the ivy on the side of this building on Degelsdorfer Strasse.  Every fall it turns every shade of pink and green.  Every year I've said I was going to stop and take some pictures of it, and every year I miss it!  Not this year!

James and Cory were very UN-German and walked across the street against the crosswalk light.

We took everyone into downtown Auerbach and Cory and Greta wanted to check out our bull.

What?  You say that there's an ice cream shop over there?  I'm running full speed ahead, Auntie Colleen!

My new favorite picture of all time!  Eeek, all the cuteness on a beautiful day in Auerbach at Eis and Co.

When we got back, the kids spent some time playing - and so did the adults!  Cory and I agreed later that week after he got back that we just had the best time LAUGHING.  He said he hadn't laughed a lot lately (none of us had) and it was just so good to be together and laugh.

We might have had a little TOO much fun watching BeerFest and having these guys zap each other with the electric bug zapper.  It was one of our finer nights.

The two of them sleeping literally took my breath away!  Nat always wanted a sister.  Instead, she got a cousin.

When we woke on Monday, the Swales family had to get ready to take the train to Munich to spend the night and then fly back to Florida on Tuesday.  But first, we needed to snuggle on the couch in our jammies!

And then we had to have a crazy wiggle dance party on the dining room floor!  These kids were SO funny!

Until next time, Swales family!  We hope you'll come back before our great European adventures come to an end!  We love you all so very much!