Harz Mountains!

You can't tell a story about going to the Harz Mountains without pictures! This weekend my host's friend Susi, who lives in Halberstadt and is Julia's host, invited Sabine and I to go to her parents' and to the mountains in Thalle.

Germany has engaged in a beautification project along the major roads. This isn't the autobahn. I'd be holding on to the seat if it were. This road would be the equivalent to an American highway. The highways have rows of trees planted on either side of the roads. Some are little more than twigs, but others are well established.

In Germany, there are fields of gold everywhere! The yellow comes from a flower that is used to make everything from canola oil to biofuel. You can't go to Germany without seeing these flowers.

We approach Halberstadt. With a population of a little over 43,000, this city is the capital of the Harz region.

The streets soon turned into cobble stones! Soon I could tell a big difference from the "half town" and big old Magdeburg!


At least they have Strassenbahns!

The roads became so cramped that only one car could pass either way.

After picking up Julia and Susi, we head off to the Harz Mountains!
The mountains loom in the background as we continue to see more flowers.
Presenting Thale! There will be other stories about this town later. For now, let's start climbing!

A typical open-air flea market. People occupied a parking lot one Saturday afternoon to sell their goods. Okay.
The hoofprint goes along with a legend of the "Rosstrappe," which I'll tell when we get to the gorge.

Nifty church we went into later.
A first glimpse at the Bode river!

Here we are walking into the entrance.

Witches! There were witches EVERYWHERE! In legends and fairy tales, the Harz Mountains are supposed to be the nesting grounds of witches, goblins and the devil. Witches have become their signature icon.
Witches aside, there were activities for little kids and not-so-little kids! Here you can complete an obstacle course trying to get from tree to tree by climbing over tires.

Train rides and putt-putt!
Back before people could read, shop owners would have signs and displays advertising what they sold. I bet you can't guess it was kugel.
Wurstchen! Yes, we did partake.
It approaches. The Majesty. The magnificence.
Goethe Stein!! This is the rock where Goethe would come to think and to write. He even wrote a book about the plants and animals of the Harz mountains. Here my host Sabine and I pose under the rock.

Yes! I have touched its rocky power! Heinrich Heine and Goethe would often walk through these woods to come up with ideas. Some of their stories were set in these very mountains!
May its creativity rub off on me.
I am not worthy.
The Bode River! If it were warmer, this would be an ideal place to splash around in.
Sometimes you have to act like a tourist.

When I showed these pictures to my mom, all she could say was, "Everything's so green!" It's true. Europe has such a lush environment and Germany is an expansion of the Fertile Crescent. I've seen greens and blues like never before in Europe.
Susi, Julia and I on the stone bridge crossing the Bode.
Me spots a witch!
There was a hotel, youth hostel and restaurants in this gorge where we stopped to partake in the local smoked fish. It is a fish only found in the Bode river and freshly caught!
A fairly typical German menu.
Adult beverages, anyone?
Topped with a witch.
Here is the smoked fish I spoke of. It was served with a white horseradish sauce and on thick bread. Yummy!
More witches!!
A hotel and restaurant that was erected in celebration of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV's 200th birthday. He must have some back pain.
Different parts in the mountains have stamps, which people collect in booklets. I didn't have a booklet, but I had an arm which worked just as well.
Little waterfalls formed from the excess rain earlier in the week.
Sabine and I were walking down the mountian when she nearly scared me to death. She yelled "Stop!" I thought there was a snake so I prepared to run. However, it was simply a harmless but adorable wild mouse.
A wild mouse eating clover. How cute!
There were also people dressed like witches walking up and down the mountains. I had to have a picture.
We then went to the very top of the mountain via a lift.
Up and up we go.
A better view of the track.

It's all good until things start shaking back and forth. I'm not usually afraid, but that made my heart jump.
Hexentanzplatz!! The legend goes that witches travel from nearby Quedlingburg on their broomsticks to gather at this site on the day before May 1st to dance with the devil. Oh, let the fairy tales come alive!
These lovely sculptures were recently added. A nice old man told me you can tell where people touch the statues the most because they are lighter. He then showed me the shining spider on the witch's tushie. It was an attention-grabber.
The devil sits atop the highest stone.
The statues were actually quite detailed. The devil had one clove foot, a tail and other tell-tale features of Satan. Oh how I love fairy tales and legends!
The goblin is up to no good. I can feel it.
The rocks line the dance place.
Just a bit of tourism has snuck in.
Hexenkueche! Get your eye of newt here!
The tushie.
Artists also provided portrayals of witches throughout the park.
Julia and I.
L to R: Sabine, Susi, Julia and Dill (me).
The view of Thale!
There were dogs everywhere.
I told you I'd tell you about the gorge and the horseshoes. Now, I will. Once upon a time, there was an evil giant named Bodo. He wanted to marry the king's daughter, Brunhilde. She would have none of that! She jumped on her white horse and rode hard until she came to the gorge. In one leap, her horse crossed the massive ravine. There is a horseshoe shape on the other side of the mountain where the horse was supposed to have landed. Bodo thought he could do the same. He jumped into the air, but fell down into the river. Bodo now guards the Bode river. It is said that you can hear his screams through the rushing of the water below. We didn't go to the other side, but you can see a photo of the imprint here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rosstrappe.jpg

Susi telling us the story.
Me, Susi and Julia.
Here is the cafe where we ate smoked fish before.
These rock formations actually looked like stacks of petrified wood.
Here's where we laid in the sun.
Here we are in the little Catholic church we saw before the mountains.
I don't know why, but I love these things.

Classic design. Huge organ!

I might not be Christian. Still, I appreciate the artwork!
I have no idea what this tree was, but I loved it!
Here we are at Susi's parents house. I had to take a picture overlooking the backyard. On the right there was an amazing stone church where Russian monks came to give a concert. As we were grilling for dinner, we could hear the monks singing. It was amazing.
The stairwell with a little door. I love little doors!
Again, you can see the backyard better.
Here is the church.
Susi's parents lived on the right half of the house.
Grilling is a big part of German celebrations. I went to at least four grills while in Germany!
There was a firepit for Susi's nephew to play with. And to keep us warm!
I had to take a picture of the flowers for my mom!


That night, we watched the Eurovision song contest but had to go to sleep before it ended at 2 am! Susi's parents had a guest house down the road. They built it themselves and it used rainwater for the toilets, which I thought was clever! Her mom had candles lining the path up to the cottage. I wish I had a picture of if all, but this weekend was something I'd never forget!