Die Lillach: Ein Kalktuffbach

We took a hike (about 5km round trip) along a creek with some interesting properties. It is a "Kalktuffback" which means a Limestone "Tuff" Brook..."Tuff" being a term meaning "porous rock formed as deposits in underground streams or springs." So the lime in the water builds up on the bottom of the stream and makes for interesting little stepped waterfalls.


Here is an example of the stepped falls:


This is another example but it is covered by a lot of foliage:



We also looked at (but didn't pick!) mushrooms and funghi along the way:

and also found lots of pretty little flowers:


We walked until we got to the sources, the Lillachquelle (Lillach spring)

On the way back we walked through Weißenohe where we saw the following painting on a barn wall:

We stopped for lunch at the Klosterbrauerei (Cloister Brewery) Weißenohe:

and had some of the beer brewed there.

Hiking near Egloffstein

My friend "L" and I went for a hike on Friday in a town called Egloffstein. The hike near here claimed to have a "Rock Window" and also walk along the Cherry Trees.

We started down in the village but had to make to to the "Burg" (Castle) waaaay up there on the top.

Up up up the stairs!

Huff...puff...we made it!

At the top there is a little church:

Not too far is the Felsentor:

View from high above:



Then we started walking by the Cherry Blossoms:

...and the dandelion fields...

We veered into the woods...

The Snails are out...

and so are the flowers!

Finally back down the hill!

Ruine Neideck

It was getting to be fall time here in Franconia and I was itching to get out and enjoy the autumnal splendor. I wanted to go on a hike but god-forbid I make my girls go on a hike...so I said How about we go on a "Photography Expedition". Our goal was "Ruine Neideck", an old castle ruin set picturesquely atop a hill...sort of the symbol of Franconian Switzerland. Don't tell them it was a hike.

http://www.burgenstrasse.de/ tells us:

The name „Neideck“ was first mentioned in 1219. It became the private property of King Konrad II of Schlüsselberg in 1312. After his death in 1347 the castle was in the possession of the bishops from 1348-1553. In 1553, after a voluntary handover of the castle, it was destroyed and
burnt down.

Here are some of the results of our photography.

Approaching the ruin...you can see it on top of the hill in the center.





Which way???

Watch out for falling rocks!



Approaching the ruin from below.

View from the castle wall

Approaching the ruin...

I think this used to be one of those cross-shaped cut outs for them to shoot arrows through.

Fall leaves...