Wartburg Castle

1521 January 3 Excommunicated in Rome
1521 April 16 Arrives at Diet of Worms
1521 April 25 Departs Worms
1521 May 4 Kidnapped by Frederick, taken to Wartburg Castle

During Luther's 10 month stay at Wartburg he composed the Wartburg Papers, 13 smaller letters and translated the New Testament into German. During the 16th century people travelled to this location and carved their names into the wood panelling in Luther's Room. The ink stain on the wall (up to 100 years ago) was considered proof of the Luther's fight with the devil. Pieces were removed for souvenirs which in turn caused Luther's desk to be destroyed. The furniture was replaced with pieces from the Luther family. His footstool- a whale vertebra- is from the original inventory!

Luther's Living Room & Study with ceramic stove:

Other areas of the castle:

It's hard to see in this snapshot but notice the beautiful gold cross on top of the main tower, it was placed there as a symbol to mark Wartburg as a religious castle.

Lutherhaus

One of the fun things we did in Germany was to walk the streets where Martin Luther once walked as a schoolboy. We first visited the home where Bach was born and then walked down the street to Luther's house that he lived in from 1498-1501. How exciting to step back in time! The first two pictures are from Luther's house and the others are from the town to give an idea of what modern Eisenach looks like today, probably not too different from the past. (Even though there are remnants from the effects of communism, many of the buildings have been restored.)

White Rock Mountain

I've told the story of going to White Rock Mountain in my dad's Volkswagen Bus and all along wondering if we were gonna make it up the hill. So for an adventure, we all decided to go. The way there was just like I remembered, except we took a shortcut through the creek. We also saw interesting floral rock designs on a house, a Stonehenge replica, friendly cows and even an antique car that passed us. Once to the top the view was covered in a fog but the countryside was beautiful.

Parent's Pick 3-day Trip

My husband recently picked Inn at the Mill for the two of us to stay at for a couple of days. It was the most unique place. Originally known as The Johnson Mill, which was partially burned down by the Confederates in 1862. It's also known as the being the longest running business in Arkansas. Architect James Lambeth renovated it and opened in 1992. The design is unique because the Inn was built around the existing structure. So you have an ultra modern inn mixed with the rustic past history of the Johnson Mill. One of the themes throughout the Inn is the sculpture of James Lambeth's daughter, Courtney. It was told to us that she had to hold two straws in her nose so that she could breathe while the plaster cast was being created! The restaurant, James at the Mill, is next door. We had the most incredible meal prepared by Chef Miles James. I have to say it was some of the best food I've ever had. It's a place to visit, even if you only have time for dinner.

A Natural Treasure

Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls, the highest waterfall in Mid-America, is a spectacular piece of nature in the Buffalo National River area. This is considered a complicated area to access.

~Tour Guide 2008

I do have to say the hike was beautiful, although it was a bit long, steep and hard. Once there, the hollow is in a valley closed in on three sides by 200 foot bluffs, the waterfall is 209 feet high. It took us 5 hours 15 minutes to get in and then back out. The 1200 foot climb down was a little more tricky because of the rain that had made it pretty slick. Coming back it had dried some and was much easier for all of us.

We didn't know it at the time and wouldn't have had the time or strength but on the same bluff line is Diamond Falls, the second tallest in the state at 148 feet. Maybe another day-

Kids Pick 3 Day Trip #3

My husband came up with the idea to let each older kid plan a 3 day trip. He gives them a budget and they have to decide where to go, make hotel arrangements, plan activities and purchase any tickets needed. They're also in charge of meals. Gas in on Dad!

It's been fun to see how each one spends the money. A nice hotel, restaurants for all meals, shopping and visiting museums or deciding to spend more on activities, less on the hotel, and buying groceries instead of eating out.

Our last trip was one that was fun for all children, young and old alike!

Remember The Time

I am forever keeping stacks of different memorable items from vacations with the good intentions of one day putting them in a scrapbook. Unfortunately, more times than not, they usually end up in a drawer waiting for that day. I ran across this idea in Martha Stewart Living that would at least keep them altogether in one place until the day arrives that I'm so bored I'm looking for something to do!

"If you hate the idea of grappling with vacation memorabilia after a trip, create a keepsake as you go. Pack a hole punch and a loose-leaf ring to string together maps, postcards and other souvenirs you collect on the road. When you get home, make a cover by affixing a sticker to the front and rubber-stamping a title on top."

How simple is that?

Kids Pick 3 Day Trip #2

Deutsche Straße

My husband wanted to know why I haven't posted any of his photography - so here's one of the best he's taken. We were driving through the Black Forest and suddenly we're in the most incredible countryside. Believe it or not, he gets out and is practically laying down in the middle of the street. For all of you who know him - he doesn't stop driving for anything! When we see this picture we say, "Now wasn't that a great idea?"

Metalworking

The Metal Museum in Memphis is worth stopping by if you're already in the area and need something to do. The museum was interesting- but what made it worth while was the demonstration in the blacksmith's shop. The blacksmith showed us step by step how to make a decorative hook. He was very artistic. He also showed us how he is making feathers out of metal to put on an angel-so creative. I very much enjoyed seeing him make beautiful things out of a piece of steel. It was quite different from what I've seen in the past. Make sure the Smithy is open before you go. I do have to mention though, I did spend a few minutes in the gift shop-

http://www.metalmuseum.org/

Steinbeck on Positano

I couldn't have said it better.

"Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone. Its houses climb a hill so steep it would be a cliff except that stairs are cut in it. I believe that whereas most house foundations are vertical, in Positano they are horizontal. The small curving bay of unbelievably blue and green water lips gently on a beach of small pebbles. There is only one narrow street and it does not come down to the water. Everything else is stairs, some of them as steep as ladders. You do not walk to visit a friend, you either climb or slide."

~John Steinbeck 1953