St. Goar

At 12 noon, we are off to Germany to St. Goar in the Rhine Valley. Running for 820 miles through the heart of Europe, from Switzerland to the North Sea, the Rhine is much more than just a river. It is a source of myths and legends, a conduit for trade, a focus for industry, a link and a boundary between nations and cultures, an object of pleasure. The hills of the Rhine gorge are not especially large, but they have a certain muscular darkness that enhances their grandeur.

After checking in at Hotel Montag, in Heerstrasse, we went for a wine-tasting tour, to sample and learn about some of the most famous Reisling wines of the Rhine region of Germany. I was on a table included the Aussies (Matthew, Geneva & Angela), Mirofume & Daisuke from Kyoto, Jessica from Alberta, and Tyler from Oregon. Last time I went wine tasting in Napa Valley, it was more of a social event with a touch of class. However, this was more like the typical crowd drinking beer on a beer garden! Good wine and spirited friendships enliven the small tavern.

After dinner, a small group went for a hike on the castle on top of the hill. Burg Rheinfels now function as a hotel. It offers a good view of the Rhine valley and the Rhine river below. An addition to our group now which consist of the LA gang, the Aussies, the Afrikanners are the three girls from the South. Margaret from Tennessee, Stephanie from Georgia and Samantha from Alabama. We name them the Southern girls. The view was nothing but spectacular. We concluded that we have to come here early in the morning. We headed back to our hotel and of course, it had a bar. Most of us were there. It was some sort of tune-up/prep drinking in anticipation of tomorrow’s visit at a beer hall. What an interesting concept. So we spent the rest of the evening becoming acquainted with each other (Afrikanners and Aussies). I like this group and we are just starting to have fun.