Driving down the Mosel River, Berg Eltz, Trier

The week just flew past. We enjoyed having Dave Colton over for dinner on Thursday, as Julie is traveling with her two daughters. It was back to the Kindergarten for me after a three week summer vacation break. It was wonderful to be back with the children again. The move to the Frankfurt Chapel has found us overcrowded and hot in our meetings as we have no air conditioning in the building. On Sunday it was 96 degrees F. with high humidity. We are working on alternatives to stay a little cooler. The Relief Society moved into the cultural hall for our meetings, and we set up fans for our fireside last night. That helped a little. Brother and Sister Moore spoke to us about their experience as temple president and matron in the Madrid Temple. Brother Moore asked us, "What is the purpose of everything we do in the Church?" He told us our answer is the same as God's answer (Moses 1:39): "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

On Saturday, we headed off with the Dearings at 7:30 a.m. for a full day of travel along the Mosel River, located near Germany's western border. Quaint village after village connected by hillside vineyards sit on the edge of this peaceful river. Occasional castle ruins dot the landscape. It was one of the most beautiful drives we have taken in Germany.

Our first stop was to Burg Eltz, nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty of the Mosel." It is one of our favorite castles that we have seen. It was very clean and beautifully maintained, as it remained in the hands of the Eltz family for eight centuries. It is now owned by Count Karl. His family has owned the castle since 1815.  It has never been damaged by wars.

One thing that was really cool about this castle is that it is built on a firm foundation. Throughout the structure and even along the pathways, you can see how they built on the existing rock. Some rooms even have interesting shapes as they were designed to fit the rock surfaces and spaces

The castle is furnished throughout its 80 rooms as it was 500 years ago. We could not take photos inside, except in this chapel and the museum.

It was interesting to learn the purpose of this bay window bump out. Inside is a tiny chapel in the room for prayer. It has its own roof so that no one in the house is walking above God.

 A view from the top.

This small fortress served as part of the protection for the castle.

The Museum's family tree.

Exquisite jewelry, tapestry, keys and sculptures.

The next two sculptures reminded me of the art work of James C. Christensen from Orem, Utah.

James C. Christensen

James C. Christensen

 

Fresh flowers graced many of the rooms.

We loved these old German clocks.

The doors in this castle were particularly splendid.

We drove to Munstermaifel and went inside the Stiftskirche.

The sculptures in this church reflected faces with real compassion.

The architecture of the houses in this area of Germany is distinct with more use of rock for building and interesting turrets.

Back on the road again, we were lucky enough to find a flomarkt along the river!

I could have spent a fortune in this "gem shop," but instead, bought a necklace for my friend.

Driving back along the Mosel River, we saw cruise ships and hang gliders.

This is wine country, and this is a very innovative machine to get up into the hills to carry the grapes back down. It follows that metal track.

We stopped at a store and bought some food and had a delicious picnic by the river!

Then it was on to Trier.

Bob and I have been here three times before, so Bob showed the Dearings around. I had a double-decker ice cream cone and enjoyed the shops and the bells.