FamilyHenn Blog

Christmas in Heidelberg, Tuesday

WEPHenn — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:00:55 +0000

A little lighter day today. Carol and I took off in the morning. We walked over to the other side of the Neckar River up to the Old Bridge, taking pictures and videos along the way. We did a little shopping, Carol got a nice scarf to go with her coat at Kaufhof. After mid-day dinner at the hotel, we all went to the cemetery and visited the grave of Dad’s parents, Ernst’s wife, Melitta, and her parents.

Christmas in Heidelberg, 2nd Day of Christmas – Monday

WEPHenn — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:00:07 +0000

After another leisure breakfast in the room, Carol, Ralph and I went for our first walking excursion. The Hauptstrasse (Main Street) seemed to be the best way to started our explorations. since this was a holiday, all of the stores were closed and virtually noone on the street (pedestrian only). We walked all the way to Markt Platz (Market Plaza). Along the way we stopped at the University Plaza to hear the bells ringing from the Jesuitenkirche. Click here to play:

Play Video

On the return we went by Peterskirche where Mom and Dad were married and past the former home of Carol’s piano teacher while we lived here.

(Click on thumbnails of picture to see whole picture)

Christmas in Heidelberg, Christmas Day – Sunday

WEPHenn — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:42:40 +0000

In the morning we went to Christuskirche to hear the pealing of the bells after the morning service. they didn’t peal (must of been tired out from the 30 minute ringing the night before). We did go in during the church service and heard the newly restored Walcker organ played. Very beautiful sound. (Please forgive the movement and clicking because this is the first I have used my new video recorder.) Click here to play:
Play Video

The mornings are leisurely with a continental breakfast in the room. At noon we went to Blumenstrasse to pickup Dad, Ernst and Ralph. Ernst had made reservations at The Europäische Hof, our favorite place for celebrations, excellent service and great food. The two Maîtres d’ were the same as two that were there the last time we ate there in 1995. One has been there 30 years and the other 37. We enjoyed Filet of Sole and a beautiful Filet of Beef (similar to Filet Mignon). Dinner came with appetizer, soup, desert and Christmas cookies.

Christmas in Heidelberg – 12/23-25/2011

WEPHenn — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:10:25 +0000

Friday (12/23)

We arrived safe and sound on Friday the 23rd. Tired but anxious to see our former home for five years. Ralph met us at the car rental and then we tried to jam five suitcases, assorted carry-ons and a walker and four people into a BMW 3 class automoble. Although the rental agency classified it as a full-size car, forget it. Finally we jumped onto the Autobahn. Ninety miles an hour (I didn’t have the guts to go any faster (as cars were passing me). We thought we were lost, but then, walla, the signs said Heidelberg! Phew! Dad was anxious to see his hometown and his brother Ernst. We arrived about 1PM and were greeted by Ernst.

Saturday (12/24)

We celebrated Christmas Eve nine hours earlier than we normally do..In the morning I took Dad to the church. He gave them a Christmas present of an old Liturgical book. We went shopping with Ernst to buy way too much meat (cold cuts) and cheeses for our Christmas Eve supper after church. Had dinner @ 1PM with Dad, Uncle Ernst, brother Ralph. Then another nap and some computer time.

Christuskirche before Christmas Eve service

We elected to go to the 5:30pm Christmas Eve service at Christuskirche (Christ Church). This was Mom & Dad’s home church as children and until they left Germany in 1937. We went early (5) to give Dad time to walk from the car and get a good place to sit. The place was packed. There are over 4000 people in the parish. It appears to be a vital church with many younger couples and many children. The children’s service let out just before we got there and the streets were crowded. The service was a traditional Service of Carols (German), a couple that were familiar. After the candlelight service, everyone was encouraged to take their candles home. After we got back home, about seven blocks away, I saw many people still walking home with their candles still lit. WOW! Maybe we are giving Germany a bad rap for a lack of vitality in the Church. Of course we hear the bells ringing after the service and they continued to ring for at least a half hour after the service started.

We then had our Christmas Eve supper and exchanged gifts.

Sunday,Christmas Day (12/25):

We woke up early again this morning, so we tuned in to the live streaming of the First Church Bellevue Christmas Eve service. It was great to hear our choir. Also tuned in to the 11PM service and heard Bel Canto.

Update on Dad’s health: This has been very hard on him physically. He went up and down two flights of stairs three times today and twice walked over a block to church and back from the car. Please continue to pray for him! and his caregivers! We have two more days of Christmas to celebrate. I hope we can slow down just a bit.

Merry Christmas to all!

Montana Trip – Days 7 & 8

WEPHenn — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:00:48 +0000

We left early Tuesday morning. Went on MT 200 again. Although a little more traffic, we still managed to keep a good 75 going. Had lunch in Lewistown, then drove through downtown Great Falls. Not too much downtown business, a lot of closed up storefronts.

We got to Missoula about 7 and had a good Italian dinner.

the next moring went out to the car to hit the road and found a flat tire. Went across the street to the Chevy dealer and they fixed it and washed all of the bugs off the front of the car. I was thanked for the good job of depopulating the bug population. It was pretty bad. I did want to get a picture of it, but …

We got home about 5 o’clock. Thanks everyone for the great Montana hospitality. We really enjoyed our stay and visits with you!

Montana Trip – Day 6

WEPHenn — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:00:37 +0000

Another beautiful (windy) day. In the morning we visited with Adeline & Arnold. Enjoyed fresh peaches and cream. The beet fields are doing well due to the wet spring.

On the way back we visited the Sidney Cemetery and Carol’s parents’ and relatives’ graves.

David took me to the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. There is a lot of oil activity, especially in North Dakota. Business is booming in this part of the country with a shortage of housing for all of the oil workers. RV parks are springing up to handle the influx.

There is still evidence of the flooding that occurred along the Misouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Adjacent fields are bare. A park near the confluence is still flooded.

David’s wheat field was almost ready to harvest.

That night we enjoyed a dinner of bratwurst, spaetzle and Bananas Foster. We enjoyed visiting with Leif, Teresa, Kristen & Steffan. Steffan demonstrated his sound system in his car.

Montana Trip – Day 5

WEPHenn — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 09:00:46 +0000

Sunday morning we went to church at Pella Lutheran church. Teresa, Carol’s niece, gave us a tour of the almost completed new addition containing new fellowship hall, offices and classrooms.

After lunch we took off for Medora, ND. Another beautiful day.

We stopped at the Painted Canyon – Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

an incredible golf course on the Little Missouri River,

had a great dinner and then went to the Medora Musical.

This is a musical about how this area was developed over the years including the history about the involvement of Teddy Roosevelt. The music included country Western songs from across the ages. Saw some tame wildlife before the show (Elk and deer).

Montana Trip – Days 3 & 4

WEPHenn — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:00:18 +0000

Friday was the only raining, thunder & lightning day of the trip. Carol visited with relatives at the nursing home. On Friday evening we went to the Hundtoft Family Reunion. It was supposed to be a picnic in the Park, but was held at the Senior Citizens building because of the rain. We always have a great time with this family. They always get together during the Richland County Fair every year.

On Saturday we went to the fair, walked around, had dinner at one of the booths. Listened to the KidFiddlers, a family of five (mother, son and three daughters, sing country. They were very good. Took a look at some old antique tractors. Connie and Carol (and David & I) sat through a West Bend demonstration. David kept flinching, expecting to shell out a fortune. Connie exhibited good control. We then had home baked pie & ice cream at the Pella Pantry (Carol’s former church). We found out that they made 173 pies and only had eight left for after church the next day. We saw some more relatives working in the kitchen of the pantry.

Montana Trip – Days 1 & 2

WEPHenn — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:00:58 +0000

We have not been to Montana to visit Carol’s family for many years. We took off early morning, stopped to take pictures of the wind turbines in Central WA, and stayed overnight in Missoula, got another early start the next day.

Instead of staying on I-90-94 we went by MT 200 through Great Falls. Saved some gas because it was shorter and experienced very little traffic. The weather was perfect. Almost got hit by a deer as it jumped over a guard rail, but it twisted sideways and then almost got hit by a car coming in the other direction.

It is a long drive from Great Falls to Sidney. Due to the late Spring and lots of rain it was green and fresh all the way. Strange one way sections with a stop light and no traffic. Incredible cloud formations. Very tempting to ignore the light. Long straight stretches of highway without a car in sight – 75 (almost) all the way! Bug splattered car. We got into Sidney about 6pm.

Mt Rainier

WEPHenn — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:00:58 +0000

It was such a beautiful day that after noon we jumped in the car and headed to Sunrise, north of Mt Rainier. We were not disappointed! What a view!

On the way home we went up to the Crystal Mountain ski area and had dinner at the alpine Inn. Wienerschnitzel! Excellent!