Friday, March 7, 2014

Part 39: Rheine River - Aflame


July 6, 1991:
“At St. Goar we embarked on a river cruise.”

As we stood at the dock ready to embark on our river cruise, we were gifted with a small souvenir book of Rheine legends inscribed by the Vineyard Meisters.  We boarded the riverboat and waved as they shouted "Gruss Gott!", and "Auf Wiedersehen".  
Once underway we relaxed on deck as the boat lazily moved along with the flow of the river.  We read our book of legends while enjoying the sights which included castles and towers of course.  


Of the thirteen castles we saw, one was to be a Knight's wedding gift to his love but she never came to wed him.  





Two belonged to robber barons who in their desire to destroy each other brought both castles down to ruins.  







One marked the site of an old Celtic Settlement







And one was wrought with Legend.  









Upon our return to Rudesheim, we enjoyed a late dinner before watching the Rheine set aflame.  We were surprised with a prime riverside spot courtesy of none other than our new Weinmeister friends with whom we ate Riesling grapes and rubbed elbows until well after midnight.  The fireworks were fantastic and the setting couldn't have been better.



  The End.

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Most people are afraid of robber barons.  Admit it, I am Fearless.