Rheinfels Castle & Burg Eltz with Grandma

Again, I just wanted to add some visuals to Ethan's previous posts about our travels with my mom. We took a weekend trip to the area in Germany south of us where the Rhine and Mosel Rivers meet, and where there are castles galore.

Rheinfels Castle ruins
On the Rhine River in St. Goar, started in 1245. Apparently what is left of this castle is just a portion of the original structure, but it seemed huge to us. All that's remaining, except for a small indoor museum area, is the stone structure - so no interiors, which Ethan & Griffin loved. The boys felt like such explorers here because you're basically free to roam all of the rooms, passageways, mine shafts, and grounds.

Catapult balls-after a battle they would be gathered from outside the castle walls and re-used

Grandma being brave in the dark, narrow passageways ;-)

View through a window

Burg Eltz

Near the Mosel River, started in 1157.

While the first castle was about exploring cool ruins, this was all about perfectly intact interiors and a cool location.

(postcard scan)

In a dramatic setting

Scott & my Mom taking the long walk (this was only the last 1/4 of the distance)

Grandma & Ethan waiting for the English tour to begin

Graffiti from a walking path tunnel in Koblenz. Since we live very near, and often visit, urban areas of Germany, we see a lot of graffiti, some better than others.