as plans develop...

My books....anything with Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in the title (Rick Steves and DK currently, I have some Fodors on reserve at the library.) My internet time...research! My thoughts...travel! It's exciting to be able to plan a trip again, but also a little daunting as this time we're planning everything. On my first trip, most of the transportation & hotels were taken care of. So it was a lot different to press that "purchase" button when it's coming out of our own pockets. It will be well worth it, though. Steve (as well as myself of course) has something to look forward to, it is definitely making a difference in his outlook on things.

We know that, besides time with Scott, our focus will be scenery, especially the Alps. We also want to see the Black Forest, and perhaps Salzburg. A little geocaching will fit into that nicely, I think. Though Steve may dispute that last point, he knows I'll want to get at least a few. He also wants to visit the area of Switzerland that many of his relatives came from. Teufenthal is a bit north and west of Zurich so definitely will be part of the trip. He wants to see Neuschwanstein Castle as well, since it's the castle that "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" flew over.

So the trick is to figure out how to make the trip. Circular east down to Munich on the Romantic Road, then over to Salzburg and working our way back through Switzerland, then up to the Black Forest before heading back to Spangdahlem and Scott. OR going the opposite direction starting with the Black Forest (I read that to see the Black Forest after the Alps is sort of anti-climactic.)

Transportation is pretty much decided. Scott can rent us a car on base for a nice discount, so that will probably be our primary mode of transportation. We discussed renting a motorcycle, and Steve has ultimately decided that to transport the riding gear, depend on good weather, and the right bike actually being available was more than he wanted to deal with. That has to be his call since I obviously have no skills in that area. I would be more than willing to do it if he decides to. He says he'll be happy with driving in the Alps.

I'm realizing that this will be a different sort of trip than 2009. Very little time in cities, and therefore not much use of public transportation. Probably don't have to limit myself to a carry on. (Yet to be decided.) That's ok. Wish I could dip into Paris but not meant to be this time around. But I will have frequent flyer miles, maybe for the future....