Watch my Relive video here!: https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vj72NjBYO

Today, after a group effort to move the trailer, check the hard work, reminds me of the joke, How many people does it take to screw in a light bulb? lol  IMG_4776

we rolled through Germany’s magical Black Forest. The forest originally a mix of deciduous trees and fir, higher elevation spruce, but due to massive clearing , it is now mainly dense spruce. The Celts settled in this region first followed by the Romans who colonized along the upper Rhine.

Check this video clip: IMG_4788

          Check this video clip: IMG_4785

and turn up the volume on this one:IMG_4786

After a substantial climb in the forest we had an amazing long and fast descent towards France.

Check this video clip: IMG_4789

Coffee at the bottom

   

 Translated means bikes only except for farmers working their fields.
When we crossed the Rhine River we officially entered France, the only noticeable change was the signage is in French, not German….roads and bike paths still wonderful!

 Check this video clip: IMG_4816

 
   

This region of France is the Alsace and borders Switzerland as well as Germany, and control over it has fluctuated between France and Germany for centuries. This has created a unique blend of culture; the colourful and steep roofed buildings give a Germanic feel but the food and wine is very French.

Another good picnic lunch…

     Check this: IMG_4818

And we rode through many kilometres of vineyards as they are growing along the flat roads and up the mountainsides

     Check this video clip: IMG_4824

   

Our destination is a real example of a French chateaux, the Chateau d’Isenbourg. Depending on the spelling, the origin means either Iron Chateau or Chateau of Isis. Wherever the name originated, it dates back to Roman times as an outpost for the commercial and military road that runs below the hillside.

Check this video clip: IMG_4833

             
In later years, Dragobert II donated this royal fortress protecting the town of Rouffach, to the Bishop of Strasbourg. It was used by bishops until the French Revolution, at which time it was sold as private property, demolished in 1822 and rebuilt . But the original 15th century vaulted cellars( 120 metre long) have survived and are used as the chateau’s restaurant, kitchen and wine cellar

       

   Stork nest

 

Life is good in Rouffach!