As you read this Monday morning, I’ll be hauling my bags from car to plane to bus to train to a different train to car until at last I find myself (hopefully!) in Montepulciano to start a week of celebrating for my brother’s wedding. I don’t know if I’ll have internet access, so if you don’t hear from me for a week, don’t be alarmed. I promise to take heaps of pictures and tell you all about it when I get the chance. 🙂
Until we meet again, I have to share these shots of beautiful Mummelsee, Germany, a stunning lake high in the Black Forest above Baden-Baden.
My friends took me hiking here after we fortified ourselves at the Mummelsee lodge with hearty slabs of Black Forest Cake heady with kirsche (cherry brandy), Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce and rich German Cheesecake.
It is one of my favorite walks in this area, especially on a sunny afternoon. We came here at Christmastime last year and walked on firmly packed snow around the iced over lake.
This time we walked on dry ground, strolling happily as the sun glistened over the water and glimmered down through the trees.
We were joined by crowds of holiday-makers, everyone cheerful and so happy to be outside in the fresh mountain air.
Legend has it that the lake is home to the King of Mummelsee and his water nymphs who remain quiet during the day but rise to the surface at night.
Some say the nymphs are actually nuns who lived in a monastery that was supposed to have stood where Mummelsee is now. The nuns were known for their kindness to local farm families and their children. Unfortunately tragedy struck when a nun fell in love with a farm boy and black water bubbled up from the earth to swallow the monastery and all who lived there.
Apparently we didn’t stay late enough because we failed to see either the King or his water nymphs.
It was a gorgeous walk though, and one I highly recommend to anyone visiting the Black Forest.
What gorgeous images, especially the last one. How lucky you are to be able to have experienced this
beautiful place in both Summer and Winter.
I feel so very lucky, Vanessa. 🙂 It’s wonderful to be able to visit good friends AND see such beautiful places. 🙂
Awesome Krista, I can’t contain my enthusiam for your trip to Montepulciano….yay!! Have a fantastic time and can’t wait to hear all the updates and see photos – Montepulciano – so wonderful !! (of course loving the lake photos too!)
Thank you so much, Tuula! You are the best cheerleader. 🙂
Such lovely photos!! Have fun at the wedding. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Such lovely photos!! Have fun at the wedding. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Such lovely photos!! Have fun at the wedding. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Such lovely photos!! Have fun at the wedding. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Thank you, Barbara! Working on photos and stories to post soon. 🙂
Congratulations to your brother! I had no idea that Germany’s countryside was quite this beautiful!
Thank you, Joanne! Germany is GORGEOUS!! At least all the parts I’ve seen. 🙂
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Fifi! I loved it too. 🙂
I have visited the Black Forest and it is beautiful.
Have an awesome time at your brother’s wedding. What a special event.
Velva
Thank you so much, Velva! It was so special and wonderful. 🙂
Have an amazing week! These pics are beautiful – I love local fables, it makes visiting places all the more intriguing.
Thank you, Keely! It was fantastic. 🙂 I love fables too. Even if they’re obviously whoppers, it makes things so much more interesting. 🙂
Incredibly beautiful scenery! Have a wonderful time in Montepulciano. What a fantastic place to get married! Congrats to your brother, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about the wedding. Safe travels! 🙂
Thank you so much, Karen! We’re so happy for him and love his bride. 🙂
Krista Darlin, gorgeous pictures. Have a fabulous time, can’t wait to hear all about your next week, I love weddings, be sure to capture one of the groom as his girl walks toward him down the aisle.
Thank you so much, Anna! 🙂 I couldn’t get that shot cuz I was in the wedding party, but I know someone did and I’ll track it down as soon as possible. 🙂
Your photos are so lovely, Krista! Thanks for including that legend, I loved reading it. I hope you’re having a wonderful week…and a huge congrats to your brother on his wedding!
You’re so welcome, Faith! 🙂 I love stories like that too. 🙂
what fabulous pictures! thanks for sharing. and also thank you for stopping by my SITS feature today. i appreciate the support
cheers,
cailen
http://www.lifestylemaven.org
You’re so welcome, Cailen! I hope to visit more now that I’m settling down for a week or so. 🙂
have fun at your brother’s wedding 🙂 I just can’t get over how stunning the views are in these images.
Thank you, Hila – it was absolutely wonderful and I had so much fun. 🙂 I’m happy you like the pictures – I just love the look of the sun on the water. 🙂
Such gorgeous pictures! I love your travel posts.
Thank you so much, Anuradha! 🙂 I love sharing them with you. 🙂
Beautiful photos, as I write you will be enjoying your brother’s wedding in Tuscany. I hope you are having a fabulous time and will enjoy your time in Italy as much as you have enjoyed the rest of your trip so far.
Thank you, dear Linda. Your beautiful Italy is every bit as wonderful as you describe it each day in your posts. 🙂 I loved it so much and can’t wait to go back. 🙂
So beautiful! I think mountain lakes are where my soul feels most at rest. And I hope you’re having a great time in Montepulciano; I can at least attest to the lovely weather right now!
I agree, Bethany. I feel so peaceful up there and could sit on a lakeshore for hours most happily. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about Montepulciano! I love those little wine towns in Tuscany! Congrats to your brother and enjoy yourself!
I love them too, Annie! I’d never been to Tuscany before, so this trip was an absolute treasure. 🙂
Have fun darling….ad enjoy the wedding. Lovely surroundings, family, friends and food….what more could a chic wish for? Stay blessed
Thank you, dearest Oz! Sending you a big hug as you get settled in. 🙂 XO
Beautiful photos! They really drew me in… I could almost smell the trees!
Thank you, Lisa! That makes me happy to hear. 🙂
rockin the foto-taking somemore, girlfriend. if you werent such a lovely person i would have to – well, grrr! montepulciano next?! oh! my! xoxo
LOL! You make me laugh, dear Paradis! Your photos delight me no end, so we’re even-steven girl! 🙂
wonderful images.. thanks for sharing