Oma und Opa's Mission Abenteuer: Derek and Alexis and the Twins visit to Germany

27 March 2013 (Wednesday)

We picked up Derek, Alexis, and the twins at the Frankfurt airport this morning. Had a bit of a hassle getting their rental car, but eventually they rented a van and we drove back to our apartment in the two vehicles. We let them shower and rest for a couple of hours, while we went back into the office and worked. Then we got them up so they would sleep at night, and acclimate to the time zone quicker. We walked to a small park close to our apartment and to show them the house where Anne Frank was born and spent the first two years of her life. We also showed them the bomb shelter whose walls were so thick that it was cheaper to leave it standing after the war. It has been converted to a warehouse. The twins enjoyed getting to run around and play on the playground equipment at the park after sitting so long on the airplane. After walking around the neighborhood of where we lived and worked. We took them on the Strassenbahn to down town Frankfurt:, and showed them the city center with its interesting shopping center with the glass roof with a hole in the top, the Main river, and Leonhard Street. After a wonderful afternoon we took our tired troupe home had dinner and put them to bed. Derek and Alexis in our room, the twins in the office, and we slept on an air mattress in the living/dining/laundry room.

To play a little after that long airplane ride

Downtown Frankfurt

Riding the Strassenbahn

Frankfurt with the family

Family on Bridge over the Main

During their visit we also drove to Wuerzburg and Derek showed his family where he lived and we all played on some of the playground equipment that Derek played on. He showed them his school and where he lived, the chapel where Holly and Owen were baptized, the hills that he used to run as a member of the cross country team, and of course the bakery where he and his siblings would frequent (this activity was not shared with the parents). We looked through the gate into the old post, and walked through the Skyline housing areas of the post. He showed his family where as a child he went to church in downtown Wuerzburg, and walked around the town of Wuerzburg and over the “All Saints” bridge over the Main River. We walked through the market place and bought a Broetchen and brat wurst. Alexis especially enjoyed seeing some of the places Derek had talked about, as he shared some of his life with her.

Our sleeping beauties

Greta and Opa on All Saints Bridge

Derek and Dad in front of their old apartment building at Leighton Barracks

Playing where Daddy played with Opa and Oma

Derek's High School

The Residence

At the top of the stairs in the Residence

After seeing Wuerzburg we drove onto Rothenburg (the famous old, walled city) we saw the city fountains with their beautiful flowers and the old shops. We climbed up the narrow steps and walked along the city wall enjoying this lovely view of the city. The local citizens take great pride in the appearance of their city. Later that evening we took the “Night Watchman Tour” walking around the city and learning some of its colorful history. We spent the night in a B and B just outside the old city.