The Curti Abroad: Too Many Castles? Never!

So I've decided that the new camera intimidates me. I can take pictures with it in a low lighting situation, no problem. Those almost always turn out perfectly acceptable. To me. Daylight pictures however...eh. This is where I'll have to actually learn how to use the damn thing. I have the tools: new Sony NEX-3 compact camera/DSLR hybrid, a top-rated beginner's photography field guide, and a good friend close by who actually has a degree in the subject. So what do I do with these all tools at my disposal? Disregard them, of course, and put the expensive new camera on the "Auto" setting. But for some reason the pictures don't turn out...quite..right...

On the other hand, the same stabilizers (or some shit) that allow me to take radtastic night photos also make photographing castles from a moving vehicle possible without looking like someone smeared a turd over the lens. Which is exactly what I did a couple weekends ago.

The taking pictures from a moving vehicle part, not the turd smearing. Or Was It?

First thought when told moving to Germany was a very real possibility:

"Unlimited castles? This party is going to be off the hook!"

Like AD references, there can never been too many castles.

Josh is exceedingly indulgent of my castle craze. To the point that on his most recent long holiday weekend he offered to take us to the UNESCO World Heritage's Site of the Middle Rhine Valley, the fillet of castle viewing regions in, well, probably the world. Over 40 castles along 65 km of the Rhine River; you do the math regarding my level of happiness (but first convert km to miles, obviously). And he even drove the entire time! Not only was this incredibly sweet of him, but it also freed me up to sample some of the famous regional Rieslings which pleased my mouth-hole vrrry much.

The red and orange scratchings are my personal recommendations from this route.

Driving west from Nürnberg, we stopped to check out the town of Schwäbisch Hall and its castle. Then we made our way to Mannheim, our base camp for the weekend. We were able to take a local train from there to Heidelberg for the castle and nightlife. Our second day was all about checking out the many medieval castles and historic towns in the Middle Rhine Valley.

Below is a pictorial summary of the trip. And, okay, some narrative because it just makes more sense that way:

Church at Colmberg castle, outside of Schwäbisch Hall.

Colmberg's castle wall

The gate of Colmberg castle

Schwäbisch Hall. Probably my new favorite little German town.

However, if that man's jeans were a town...there'd be some competition. (Schwäbisch Hall)

I mean... (Schwäbisch Hall)

...he was really working that denim. (Schwäbisch Hall)

Am I right or am I right? (Schwäbisch Hall)

This is the park next to our hotel in Mannheim. After dark, there was a water light show worthy of Enchanted Forest.

Heidelberg Castle. The city of Heidelberg was also very nice, but our itinerary while there included more "beer drinking" and less "sight-seeing". So this all that you get.

Awww, yeee-ah. A Rhine Valley castle. Whoop!

(Rhine Valley)

You can just assume from here on out that the rest are from the Rhine Valley.

And as usual....

... you can double click on any picture to make it larger.

We visited only two castles.

But I wish we could have stopped at them all.

If you see a river jousting tournament, however, you do stop. You pull that car right over.

We did go to this one!

And promptly got caught in a torrential downpour. I thought it was romantic that we were seeking shelter under part of an old castle wall, Josh's attitude ventured more towards rain hate. Romantic feelings diminished.

But it is a beautiful castle.

Grape vines on the right. Mmm.

There are all these adorable old towns along this stretch of river with castles on the hillsides above. There also happens to be a paved path along the river connecting the towns. Plans are in the works to go back and bike it!

Town of Oberwessel

Another castle that we visited!

There is a hostel at this one and a public terrace for picnicking. Below this castle is...

The town of Bacharach! Probably the cutest 'lil German town ever.

An old winery mural

I know that I said that Schwäbisch Hall or that man's pants might be by favorite German town...but Bacharach might have them both beat.

The best aspects of the town were hard to capture on camera.

But these pictures help. And with a sign like that, who wouldn't eat at this restaurant? I remember taking this picture specifically for my father's enjoyment. So, Dadea, this one's for you!