Today, I was a queen. For reals!

First and foremost I must ask you, the ever gracious reader, to head on back to the Rothenberg post to see all of the lovely pics from our adventures there!!  That is, if you want to. If not, please continue on to learn how I settled into my new home, Neuschwanstien (New Swan Stone for those who spreche nicht Deutsh), and also at my summer castle Hohenschwangau...and also, how I rode a luge down the side of the Alps (very queenly).

We visited the castles of the Mad King Ludwig, of Bavaria, today and I've decided that I'll be moving in to become their queen at the end of my voyage.  The castle, Neuschwanstien, is a lavishly overdone affair that was never actually completed because the king who commissioned it was declared mentally unfit to rule.  It is complete with it's own grotto and opera hall...unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take any photos on the inside of the castle. Don't worry...I'll revoke this ruling when I take over.  The Hohenschwangau castle will be my summer home.  It's slightly smaller and not as gaudy, but has a beautiful view of the lake.  I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the inside of this castle either...you just wait until I get my hands on that piece of real estate...then we'll see who's allowed to photograph what!  The castles are not very easily accessible.  We hiked miles to get to each one (better for my protection), but the views are fantastic!!

After the castle visits we went on a luge ride!!  We were so thankful that we had a beautiful, sunny day for this part of our stay in Austria.  We had tons of fun riding down the side of a mountain while parasailers leapt off of the cliffs above and circled in the skies like vultures...just waiting for one of us to flip out of our toboggan.  Okay, okay...so, it wasn't that scary...but it was exhilarating!! I have a need for speed!!

We ended our day with a family dinner after which we all introduced our buddies!!  You may or may not have noticed the picture of Ally and I with our tour buddies in a biergarden in Rothenberg...I say may or may not have because you only would have noticed that photo if you had done what I advised you to at the beginning of this post and looked back and the Rothenberg update!!  I bet you're doing that now...slackers... Anyway, our buddies, Brad and Sheri are a married couple from Washington state celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.  We love them.  Congratulations Brad and Sheri!!  On your 30th I'll throw you a celebratory banquet at my new home, Neuschwanstien!!

                                                                          Peace, Love and Travel,
                                                                          Reba

The summer home. Hohenshwangau.

The lake!

the Bavarian royal family is really into swans.

Some of our young lads rowing on the lake.  

Neuschwanstien.  My new home.

Ally and I are standing on Mary's Bridge. It is very high up, but has a beautiful view of the castle.

This shot just can't do it justice!! Jeez!

On the castle wall.

This is the one shot I was able to snap when the guard wasn't looking.  I had to!  Look at all that copper cookware!!  It's my dream!!

Surprise!  We caught a bride going to church for her wedding day.

LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!

Post luge.

This obviously isn't me.  It's Mike, from Cali.  I thought it was a good action shot of the luge though.

My little Lawrence, playing with a local boy on this odd swing.  Lawrence flipped his toboggan on his first ride so he played on the swing for the rest of our time at the luge.