Europe 1994 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
When Dick was a student at Florida State University, he met Walt Kindergan (waltbk@earthlink.net) who was in the U.S. Navy and was attending FSU to finish his degree in Geography. The Dawdy's and Kindergan's developed a strong friendship, which continued for years and over long distances. After FSU, Walt continued his Navy career and by the early 1990's Walt and his wife, Rebecca, were stationed outside of Stuttgart, Germany.
The European trip was a "spur of the moment" idea that began one weekend when TWA had a "buy one-get one free ticket special". Dick tried to call Walt and Becky to make sure they would be home so that we would have a place to call home for two weeks, but they were out of town that weekend. So, Dick and Norma bought the non-refundable tickets and hoped for the best. They got in touch the following week and Walt and Becky were delighted the Dawdy's were coming and started sending postcards from different places in Europe. Walt and Becky planned the itinerary to maximize the exposure to the best of Europe while minimizing the exposure to the tourist traps. In March of 1994, Dick and Norma boarded a Tri-Rail commuter train in West Palm Beach and headed for Miami International where they caught their non-stop TWA flight. As they boarded the L-1011, the classical music that was playing set the stage for a fantastic flight to Frankfurt, Germany. After they landed, Dick and Norma followed the other passengers and ended up at the baggage claim area, where they claimed their luggage and then continued out the gate where Walt and Becky awaited.
All four took an U-Bahn (urban light rail train) to the Haupt Bahnhof (main train station) in Frankfurt and then caught an ICE train (high speed express train) to Heilbronn where they transferred to a S-Bahn (local train) for the trip to Heidelberg. Walt and Becky had parked their new Volvo 850 in Heidelberg and after touring parts of the city and having lunch at an old pub in town, we headed for Walt and Becky's apartment where we rested for a day before continuing our European adventure. Walt was stationed at the U.S. Headquarters for Europe where he headed up the mapping section. During the short stay, Dick and Norma visited Zurich and enjoyed roasted chestnuts and the links to home.
The ICE Train
They visited Rothenberg, o.d.t. , a walled city that is little changed over the past 500 years and stayed at a 500 year old inn which featured a wonderful evening meal. They also discovered a great pub and great entertainment. Another interesting place to visit is the Criminal Musuem which features many horriffic devices which were used to "teach people a lesson" in the past.
They also visited Oberammergau, known for the Passion Plays that the village produces every ten year to thank God for sparing their village from The Plague. The village started with a reputation for fantastic wood carvers and that treputuation continues today. While in the Oberammergau area the Dawdy's and Kindergan's stayed at Frau Rudhart's (Gastehaus Rudhart) which we recommend to everyone - both the Frau and the breakfast are fantastic!!
The Cloisture Ettal, a monastery just down the road, where spirituality oozes from every nook and cranny. This is a MUST see and feel! Also good beer across the street brewed by the Monks - don't be cheap, help the hard working Monks.
 
Dick and Norma also had an opportunity to visit Hollenzollern Castle near Heilbronn, (don't miss the museum downstairs), and of course, Munich, including the market, people platz, restaurants and entertainment, the Glockenspiel, and of course the beer halls. It was their first exposure to the Volper dinger, the German version of the Jack-a-lope.
Their stay in Europe was overwhelming, from the Zugspitz (the highest point in Germany) to the beautiful Churches and Monasteries located throughout the country to the famous Nueschwanstein Castle. Just before they left, they joined a group from the base and took a bus to a Volksmarch in Feldkirch, Austria. The walk was up a hill to a wildpark (zoo) and then back down for refreshments. On the way back to the base, the group detoured to Liechtenstein where a tour of Vaduz and a beverage in an outside cafe seemed to be in order.
When in Europe, get used to the speed. We were traveling down an Autobahn when a car flashed it's lights and went past us so quickly we couldn't tell what kind of car it was.....only that it was yellow. The drivers are very good and very courteous and at the speed they drive, they usually don't have more than one accident! A little bit later we rain into a big traffic jam, so we headed off the autobahn and on to a parallel road through the woods. The good news is that there are a number of Monks who provide income for the Monestaries by brewing some GREAT BEER and of course the chuches have a tremendous history!!!
Dick and Norma returned home exhausted (due to missed connections they didn't arrive home until 1:30AM) and then got up and went to work several hours later. A suggestion - NEVER DO THAT!!! The jet lag will cost you a day or two of re-acclimation and five hours is NOT enough time!

Back to the Home Page