The weather was not so favorable, as I stood upon the top most point of Bacharach Castle/Youth Hostel, but rain and fog could not dampen my spirits, or the view of the Rhine River that spread out below me for endless miles of vineyards, castles and boats. It was February 2006, and I was on my own, traveling through Europe for the first time, using the train system and a small knowledge of the area through which I passed. I had only been in Germany for a week so far, but already it was growing into quite an adventure. It all began on January 31st on my flight from Dallas to Frankfurt, after attending the Safari Club International, and the Dallas Safari Club Hunting Conventions. Here is an exerpt from my Journal on that long ten hour Flight. “How time doth fly, and I am continually swept away with it… I haven’t really grasped it yet, but I have an amazing opportunity in front of me. I am going to Europe, a place many people only dream of going…  and now here am I, so small yet accomplishing much.”

Arriving in Frankfurt, it was early in the morning, and snow was on the ground, requiring me to done my insulated jacket and hat. This Journal entry summed up the following 3 days, “With only an hour slept, we (Preston and I) continued our journey from plane to train. We spent two hours on that ride, and saw much of the city, country side and snow, from Frankfurt to Dortmund. We arrived at the Westfallen Hallen around 11am, and went directly to the Jagd and Hund Show. It was already in full swing, with everyone in their hunting garb trailing dogs of every shape and size. It took a while to get accustomed to the german language, and my lack of it. The day past and finished the day with dinner at a local pub… it is deffinitly a different atmosphere, but when I leave in a month it will be too soon.” The show continued till the week end, and I was ready for it to be over by that time. The smoke was really getting to me, it seamed that every one there smoked nearly all the time. I was able to see a bit of Dortmund between the show and the hotel, but mainly just the wide variety of eateries. The last day I packed my items into a back pack, and parted ways with Preston, and just started walking.

The weather in Germany in February was quite cold, and prevented me from hitch hiking or camping to save money, so I boarded a train, and headed south. I stopped in Koln for a short while, and continued down the Rhine River, reaching Bacharach, and stayed my first night alone. I was one of the only guests, and was alone in a very plesent dorm room, with clean sheets and washroom/shower, and even a meager breakfast in the morning. That day I continued on through many small towns and ended in Friebourg for a stay at the black forest youth hostel. It was a beautiful city, as were they all, but I never had enough time to see all there was to see. My next stop was out of Germany and into Switzerland, in Zurich. It was there at the international airport that I met up with Sabina, our long lost friend that came to stay with us in Idaho for a few months several years ago. It was great to see her again, and together we awaited the arrival of Dad and Josiah. They came in late, but we greeted heartily and drove to Sabina’s house in Rothrist. There we met her husband Christoph and their son matthew. Together with them we traveled into bern the following day, and also had a tremendous tour of nearly the whole country, stopping here and there for a scenic look. Again the weather was not the best, but it was a great experience none the less.

The following day we traveled to Lucern, which was a gorgeous town, with old ornate buildings, spectacular mountains, and a peaceful river flowing through it all, adorned with swans and ducks. “After the city we huffed it up the hill to the base of mount Pilatus, and with high hopes we rode the gondola all the way up from 2,000 ft to 7,000 ft. A jaw dropping view and an ear popping experience. Then we left our lofty view to the clouds and drove back to Rothrist. We finished packing, watched a movie and the start of the Olympics, said good bye and stepped aboard our sleeper train, and rode off into the night. In the morning we awoke to the sweeping Italian Country side, having past from Switzerland and headed to ROME!