On this clock tower, the bells chime and some cute figures rotate around beneath the bells.
We left Rudescheim and went on to Trier, Germany on the banks of the Moselle River. It is the oldest city in Germany, and the huge entry gate, Porta Nigra, is the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. The huge gray sandstone rocks that form the gate were set without mortar between 186 and 200 AD.
In the following photo, on the left is the Constantine Basilica with its long throne hall of the Roman Emperor Constantine. It is used today as a Protestant Church.
Connected to the Constantine Basilica is the pink Queen's Palace. Such a contrast in architecture.
The Dom of Saint Peter is a Roman Catholic church dating back to Roman times.
These are the ruins of an ancient Roman Amphitheater.
Back in the car, we had to get in one more country--France. Metz is located near the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg. This city was.a cradle of the Gregorian chant and has a 3,000 year history.
Everyone was out having a great time!
We got a bite to eat at this sandwich shop. The stacked sandwiches in the window were pressed in a grill-- delicious (turkey, basil and cheese). We enjoyed a crepe for dessert.
We visited the extravagant Metz Cathedral--fabulous stained glass windows!
Can you believe Barbie was here? I think she forgot something.
Exhausted after a long day of walking, both brains and feet tired, we headed for home.
The next day, Bob went into the office, and Paul and I drove into Frankfurt to see our exciting city.
We started at the Ziel shopping center.
Then we went to the historic city center where the Christmas Markts are held each year, and Paul did a little souvenir shopping.
We explored the Dom.
Next we saw the Roman ruins that are more than 1200 years old and began as a Roman fort on the Main River.
We walked across the bridge of the Main River where Paul saw the love locks that lovers put on the bridge to seal their union.
Across the river, we found a China Fair and sipped on some refreshing bubble tea with tapioca.
We ended up with very sore feet, watching the animals at the zoo. I think we both enjoyed sitting in the cool aquarium display and watching the fish and cute sea critters.
The last day of Paul's visit came way too soon. Bob took us off for one last amazing adventure to Heidelberg.
We shared two more wonderful meals with Paul, lunch in Bad Vilbel and dinner at the Kartoffelkuchen in Bad Homburg, and then off he went to Salt Lake City. The time passed far too quickly. We couldn't have asked for a better trip, but best of all was being with our dear son, Paul.
