The Black Forest is located in the south-west of Germany and is a region famous for cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest Cherry Cake.  The latter being a cherry liqueur soaked chocolate cake covered in whipped cream.  Brian once made on for a language class and was looking forward to trying it out for real.

We entered the forest from the south, starting in Freiburg and wandered our way north through the heavily wooded countryside.  On the way we found incredible beauty: waterfalls, old churches, ancient cathedrals, and resort towns.

We also found the damage done by mother nature.  

On Christmas night 1999 a wind storm blew across Europe with hurricane force winds of more than 100 miles an hour.  By our house near Paris, trees were blown down in most part of the forest.  But it was nothing like we saw in the Black Forest.  Entire hillsides with the trees all blown over and pointing in the same direction.  It reminded us of the aftermath of a volcano eruption but without the ash and lava.  

Freiburg

Freiburg was founded in 11-something and still carries the feeling of history in the city square.  The cathedral is impressive, with amazingly intricate stone work.

Allerheiligen

Allerheiligen was an important monastery in the 13th century.  Today it is a collection of impressive ruins guarding an equally impressive waterfall.

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden has long been a town famous for the hot spring baths, being used for rest and healing since ancient times.  A large Roman bath complex has morphed into a modern resort for the rich and famous.  We stopped in the hope of washing away the last bits of stress left after our vacation.  We arrived after the baths had closed and had to leave before they opened.  Ah well...

Juli did get a taste of the Baden-Baden experience, however, when she fell into the fountain.

By the time we were finished in Baden-Baden, we were ready to come home.  It had been a great trip with lots of wonderful memories.  But the sign at the French-German border was there to point us home.