A German Amusement Park and the Tri-Points

We spent some other Fall days at the Schloss Beck Freizeitpark and at the Tri-Points. Schloss Beck Freizeitpark is a small, Eurpoean style amusement park where the rides were more carnival-like and most were actually un-manned, you started them yourself with push buttons! It was a fun little place on pretty grounds.

Ethan & Griffin up in the trees

The Tri-Points is the place where the 3 countries of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belguim meet. At the site was a playground, hedge maze, cafes & viewing tower.

Views from the tower

I think this was a private residence

Schloss Burg

Ethan told you a little about Schloss Burg, a castle about 45 minutes from us in Solingen, on which building began in 1133. It's high up on a hill so you can either drive up to it or, weather permitting, take a ski lift up, which is what we did. That wasn't Scott's favorite part of the day, but the rest of us enjoyed the ride!

Once at the top, the views of the forest and town below were spectacular, especially with the Fall colors.

Contemporary sculpture on the grounds

The castle is really well-preserved and you self-tour the interior which is an extensive museum, showing you relics from castle life.

Happy New Year!

Somehow many weeks have passed by between posts, but here we are! The weeks leading up to the holidays were as busy for us as for all of you, then we were back home in Michigan for 2 weeks, and now we're into our first full week back to school this year. It was very strange to be back in the States after 5 months here - it was a little unsettling to be in our home and in our state which are so very familiar, yet they suddenly felt just a little strange and different. It was also odd to be there with no responsibilities or obligations, only to relax and visit with everyone, it was like a vacation in our own home. Of course it was really wonderful to see everyone in person and catch up on all the little details of life that don't get included in quick phone calls or emails, not to mention big hugs and kisses.

Some of the things that we enjoyed in Michigan after not having them for 5 months: MOVIES at the theater!; Mexican food (esp salsa for Scott & E); IHOP restaurant; cheap prices; people bagging your groceries at the store; free shopping bags at stores; great restaurant service; Target; and dill pickles. We all had bad jetlag when we returned from Michigan, Griffin having the worst of it, but a week later we're pretty much back on track.

Ethan had posted a while back about the Neanderthal Museum and Lego Discovery Center. I won't add to his descriptions because he did a great job, but thought I'd add a few pictures:

Lego SnakeEinstein's lego nose