Day Twenty Two; Family Day

Tuesday is a normal work day for most people so we planned a small breakfast, wash some clothes, and visit a hidden German jewel of a town nearby called Karlstadt. 
We would have a small breakfast with Caroline's family at 9:00 am. They start work at 7:30 AM and go to breakfast from the saw mill at 9:00 AM. Never any small breakfast in Germany. And what great pastries they have  Remember Chocolate corners from the next town over called Spatten. Now Mary Ann has 3 broken nails but in Germany you need an appointment. Cousin Kristina remembres that one of Caroline's neighbors does nails and may be home. Mary Ann is in luck and heads to the neighbors house for repairs.
As she is leaving, a long time old friend of ours , Charlie , comes in to say hello. How good it is to see him. Known for running the New York Marathon (his First) and coming in around 1200th. He and I talk of old times and new for almost an hour.  He has to go to work before Mary Ann returns. When she does we, walk back to the Apartment to gather clothes and bring them back to Caroline's to wash. While they are washing, I find a horse and a pony that like apples. Caroline has a long history with horses. These are hers. And by this time the folks from the saw mill are home for lunch. Even though I don't have room for another bite, I somehow manage to eat some of her great goulash. And after lunch there is a concert for us by two of her children. It must be about 1:00 PM by this time.

View from our apartment window

 The Baron's castle from our window,

 A tree cut and then re-stacked for drying.

More carefully stacked.

Caroline and Stefan working at the Mill

 The Baron's castle from the Mill

A horse who likes Apples.

 Caroline's house

 The concert players.

We drive to Karlstadt. Such a well preserved city. Pictures of it are here now. 

 The main Square.

 Towards the river.

 Statues on many buildings.

 On the square.

 Water fountain.

 End of the road,

 This house was on the way to Karlstadt in Stetten.

We got back from Karlstadt and went for drinks and pastry at Heidi's house. Her husband, Joe's brother, designed and built this lovely house just away from the saw mill. We had a wonderful time with her looking at family pictures. after work, Caroline and her family came by to join us for coffee and some Apple Dessert Heidi had made earlier that day.

Mary Ann, Heidi, Me and Caroline.

 Having dessert.

We went back to the apartment for a short rest and then to Kristina's for dinner. It was a traditional German sausage meal of White werst. or at least that is what they were called. They were so good. They slid right down and the sweet mustard that went with them was icing on the cake.  We talked of old times and new and stories of Joe and his brother and Kristina's time living in Carlstadt NJ going to High School there. Plus we got to meet her lovely dog the likes of which I had never seen. It was a good night, a long day and tomorrow I drive to meet my long lost relative.