Happy Halloween...from the Enchanted Forest

*Costumes were created by my awesome mom!*

Vineyards at Sunset

Passenger side view of Alsace/Lorraine

We picked the Alsace/Lorraine region of France to visit because it is known for it's beautiful countryside drives, (and for it's fabulous food).

This is the awesome Fiat that we got to drive.



Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Annonciation-Nancy, France

One of my favorite things was seeing all the churches. They were easy to spot because they were the tallest thing around. Every town we drove past had at least one church.
The big cities had cathedrals. The smaller towns and villages had little churches, and I loved seeing the church steeples poking up above the red roofs. So quaint.

Rorshwir, or Bergheim, France

The colors were stunning. The leaves were just starting to change, and there were fields of the most brilliant yellow flowers.

The vineyards were beautiful, and went on for miles. (Notice the castle on the top of the mountain).

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg (Orschwiller, France)

"High Royal Castle" or "High King's Castle"
The first of several castles we visited on this trip.

Inner courtyard.

The Armory.

Originally built in the 12th century, the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle changed hands over the course of many conflicts. It was abandoned in the mid 1600's after it had been burned and pillaged during a siege. In the early 1900's it was reconstructed by the German Emperor (or more precisely by the person the German Emperor hired). It was acquired by the French after WWI.

Protestant Temple (Metz, France)

Saint-Etienne Cathedral (Metz, France)

Built in the 13th century. It's huge...the third highest nave in France....41.41 meters (135 feet).

Notice the little tiny people...just to give a little perspective.

Amazing stained glass windows!

A Chagall window.

If the intent is to make you feel small, and wonder at the grandness of God... I would say "mission accomplished".

Metz, France...

Beautiful...the whole city is made of a yellow stone. Metz is medium/smallish city, everyone was really nice, but when they found out we were from the United States they wanted to know why we weren't in Paris.

We parked on this road next to our hotel. It winds up toward the highest spot in the city. After walking up this steep, narrow, cobblestone road, with forty pounds (roughly 18 kg) of luggage, it makes sense why this road would be called the "road from H. E. double hockey sticks".

Number 19 Rue Mazelle. This was Jacob's apartment about 12 years ago.

Porte des Allemandes. Part of what's left of the old medieval fortifications around the city.

We're Back...

We had a great trip. We wished we could have stayed longer, but it's nice to be home and sleeping in our own multi-pillowed bed. Sophie and Ella had a great time in Denver. Sophie wishes she could live there. She's asked for "Granpa and Grammajean" 4 times since we've been home. More pictures and stories to come, but for now a few random photos of a little place we like to call Europe.