Burg Eltz

For a weekend trip, we headed out to visit Burg Eltz.  It's less than 2 hours from our house and was a delightful little day trip.  We weren't sure what all it consisted of, and we will be more prepared next time we go back. It's about a 1.5 km hike from the parking, but it's a nicely groomed dirt path.  You can't see any sign of the castle until you turn the last corner and see this: 

 Inside, you can go on a tour of the castle, which still has many original artifacts and furniture because it was never conquered or at all destroyed.  It has remained in the family for many, many generations, dating back to the 12th century.  See here for a more accurate history.

 Brigham wouldn't take our advice on the drive up and take a nap, so he wasn't the most pleasant child by this point.

 They were even less pleasant on the *very steep* hike back up the paved shuttle path.  We were sweating like crazy, hauling our 40 pound children in a hurry so we wouldn't miss our dinner appointment with the missionaries that night!  Benny was bothering Josh, Brigham was wrapping my scarf around my already-having-trouble-breathing-face.  It was lovely.  Let's just say that it was nice to get back to the car, and Josh and I both had some sore legs the next day.

Next time, we will plan for more time there, pack a picnic, and enjoy some time down on the bank of the river.  And we'll bring a stroller to push the kids in.