Day 21 - Rothenburg ob de Tauber

Ok, I confess, we broke down and had fast food. We had to do one more round of laundry and while we were waiting for the wash we snuck across the street to a Burger King. What we were really craving was the ice cold coke. If you've ever travelled in Europe you know what I mean. ICE is a rare commodity!

So the laundry is finished and we should be able to make it 'til next week. Hard to believe we've been over here for 3 weeks already. It's been great, all parts of it. But we're ready to head home.

This afternoon we walked another section of the wall and toured the Criminal Museum. After all the midevil torture items and descriptions we walked out with quezy stomachs. Ah, we know what will calm that...Bavarian pretzels and beer. Make that a Dunkel Bier, dark and sweet. One is good, two are better and why not have three? We're walking. Remember, beer is a food substance in Germany.

So we head back to our B&B and stop at a little tour shop I had read about - ok, another confession, we're traveling with a Rick Steves book. When we walk in I remember it's the same store my sister Gail purchased a cuckoo clock in '96. We're the only people in the store 'cause it's almost closing time. The owner Annaliese greets us and asks where we're from and how we heard about our shop. We reference Rick Steves and then begins to tell us about her 20+ years friendship with him.

Seems she first met Rick Steves during one of his first backpacks through Europe when she offered to store his backpack while he toured the city. He's been referencing her store since his first tour book and their families have quite a close relationship. She proudly pulls out his personal Christmas cards. And even has one of his hand written letters from pre-email days. Now Annaliese is 82 years old. She's quite fragile due to a car accident a few years ago, but her mind is quick as a whip. We really enjoyed hearing her stories as much as she enjoyed sharing them. Definately a "Back Door" moment.

We continue back to the B&B to freshen up, then head back out for the Night
Watchman's Tour at 8pm. Now this guy has quite the gig. Works 2 hours a night giving the same walking tour for 100+ people at 6 Euros/PP. Not bad. Got some entry level history on the city and left feeling good about the tour.

We've had a great stay in Rothenburg but we're ready to move on to the Rhine. Tomorrow morning we'll be driving over to Boppard for a few days before we head up to Amsterdam. Guten Abend.