Further Adventures

Does watching fireworks over a river lined by four castles (2 of which are in ruins) sound like an absolutely fabulous experience? We thought so too….

Last Saturday we drove up (along with several other families from our ward) up to a town called Neckar-Gemund to watch its annual lighting of the castles. We parked alongside a field and plopped ourselves down on a borrowed blanket (ours hadn’t arrived yet) to watch the display. We got there around 7:30 – well before dusk – and spent the evening chatting with friends, eating snacks and watching our kids play in the field. Around 9:45 we noticed lights drifting up from the town below us into the darkening sky. We’re not certain, but we think that they were miniature hot air balloons propelled by candles. As the last balloon (out of maybe 10) was launched, the lighting of the castles began. Each castle was lit with flickering red and orange lights to make it look as if it were on fire. We’re not sure which battle was being reenacted, perhaps it was a siege, or maybe just a bombing. In any case, the result was spectacular. After the lights died down, the fireworks over the river began. Because we were up on the hillside (directly opposite the castles) we were right at eye level with the castles and the fireworks. We all had a great time (although Naomi had her eyes partially covered during the entire fireworks display) and definitely plan to go again next year.

· A note about the pictures – It was a very, very misty evening, so it was difficult to get a clear picture. Also, this experience strengthened our resolve to get a really good telephoto lens, and to never, never, never travel again with only our pocket camera.