The Black Forest

So "What is the Black Forest?" you might ask. I have used this term quite a bit in my blog already. Of course I googled a little to get you some info and combine it with some of my impressions during my current visit in Breitnau, where my god child lives with his parents and two brothers (more on that later).

A good 200 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide, the Black Forest is not only one of the most varied but also one of the biggest and probably best known regions in Germany.

13,500 km² in the south west of Germany is home to a rapidly changing landscape, with forests in the north, the less dense middle Black Forest and the mountainous 1493 m heights of the south leading down to the Rhine. Germany's highest "low mountain range" comprises only around half of the total surface. The lush, sprawling heights of the Baar in the East, the wine country to the west, in the Rhine valley and to the South: Whether it's the Baden "Weinstrasse", Kraichgau, Ortenau, Breisgau, Tuniberg, Kaiserstuhl or Markgräfler Land, - each store has top-quality wines from its regions.

The Black Forest enjoys the highest density of restaurants with top chefs, Gault Millau or Michelin stars. But even in the small village restaurants the entire selection of the hearty regional cuisine can be enjoyed in many of its delicious variations.

Thermal baths like Baden-Baden, Badenweiler, Bad Wildbad have a long tradition. Such a wealth of thermal springs can be found nowhere else in such close proximity. The location at the meeting point of Germany , Switzerland and France offers guests the most attractive and diverse cultures and landscapes within the shortest of distances.

The Feldberg is, at 1493 meters, the highest mountain in the range. The Black Forest is the birthplace of skiing in mid-Europe. The first ski club was founded here, the first wooden skis were carpentered and the first ski lift built. The Feldberg region is home to one of the largest ski resorts outside the Alps.

This is a photo I took while hiking around Breitnau. It provides a good impression of this area. You can see the farmhouses, rolling hills and tree covered mountain ranges.

Well, my little camera is not really suited for shots like this, but I had to try anyways. From this point in my hike you had this amazing view down this valley which was covered with little yellow flowers and you could see for miles and miles and miles, all the way to the high mountain ranges in the back drop.

Just one more picture ....

.... and one more.

Just could not help myself.

Oh .... almost forgot ...... Tannenzaepfle ....the beer we drink here.

I have mentioned the "Tannenzaepfle" before. This is a famous local brew which is just amazing, not to say the best beer I have ever had ....sorry Scottie, but you have to work a little on your Pilsener .... ha ha ha.