Rothenburg ob der Tauber

After leaving Salzburg we headed back over into Germany. Upon switching countries, the weather decided to to a 180 on us. We went from sunny, warm, shorts & tee weather to freezing cold, rain (buckets and buckets of it) and wind. Reports on the news kept saying Germany was about to get their first snowfall of the season. Luckily we didn't get the snow part, but man oh man, the last week of our trip was freezing cold, wet, and a bit gloomy. But that didn't stop us from having fun.

Our apartment in Rothenburg was one of favorites. It was just so huge! The Alter Hof Loft is an old barn that was converted into a 2 bedroom apartment not too long ago. We had sooooo much space to just stretch out and relax.  The location was prime as well - less than 5 mins from the old walled city.

After checking in, we headed into the old city to stretch our legs before dinner. 

 

 

  

 

First treat, the pastry shop, where we got some yummy Schneeballen, a pie-crust cookie ball that's popular here.

Then we shopped a bit before getting a yummy dinner of Doner kebab to fill our hungry bellies.

It was still early enough that we took the kids to the historic city wall and walked it around the city.

 

By the time we got to the end of the wall it was raining... again. So it was back to the apartment and off to bed.

Before we came on this trip we purchased a one-day family pass to Lego-land Germany, which is about an hour or so from Rothenburg. We didn't tell the kids though. All they knew was that if they were good the first few weeks, then we would take them somewhere special the last week of the trip. 

So, the next morning, despite the freezing cold temps, chilly breeze, and downpours of rain, we got in the car and drove to Lego-land just PRAYING for dry weather. Cold we could handle, just let it be dry. Finley's reaction once we got off the freeway was priceless. I wish I had pulled out my miniflip recorder. He saw all these lego statues and was like, "Huh?" Within five minutes he was shouting, "oh, did you see that?" and "Oh Dad, can we come back here like tomorrow?"

When Ryan told him no he got all sad and was like, why? To which Ryan said, cause we are going to Legoland TODAY! Which lead Finley to freak out - literally FREAK out! He was SOOOOO excited!!! It was like those Disneyland commercials, but with Lego-land.  It was definitely one of the best reactions/moments of this trip.

It wasn't raining at the exact moment when we got into the park so we decided to get in line for one of the outdoor roller coasters. Finley was so brave and went on with me. But as the coaster cart starts going, the skies open up and pour not rain, not snow, but HAIL from the heavens. Finley started crying because the coaster was going fast (for him) and with the speed of the cart, the pounding hail in our faces, the cold temps, it really was no fun. Luckily Finn had a waterproof coat on. I however did not, and I was soaked to the core and miserable and cold. After we got off, they shut the ride down and we went inside the creative building room to warm up and dry off. Here we are after the ride. I look (and felt) like a drowned rat.

Finley chose a very complex motorized lego set to build. I was a bit skeptical that he could do it by himself, but he surprised us all and did an amazing job and built it right. Berlin and I worked on some dolphins and other animals. Finley could have stayed there all day. 

Once the rain stopped we got on a few more rides and then it was lunch at the pizza pasta house. This ride was like teacups, but FASTER!

Finley love this one. You pull yourself up using the rope to the top of the tower. Then you hold the clamp and fall down. It was pretty great. Berlin was very upset that she couldn't ride this one. She was 1 inch too short. So she sat in the stroller and pouted until we moved on.

Here are some shots of the other rides they went on.

This ride was really cute. The canoe wasn't on a track. I just floated in this narrow water canal. So the kids got to really paddle their own canoe. 

Their favorite though (based on how many times they rode it) would have to be the Knight's Jousting Horses. They rode this over and over and over again. 

Then we took them on the Dragon Coaster. Finley is definitely NOT a fan of fast rides. He hated it and screamed at Ryan the whole time how he hated us and we were the meanest parents ever. I was sitting in front of them and was trying hard not to laugh. Berlin sat with me and she loved it and wanted to do it again. That's my girl! But I was proud of Finley for trying it out. 

While we waited for Ryan and Berlin to go on the Dragon Coaster again, Finley and I waited at this catapult.

 Funny thing is that just the other day we were talking about Lego-land and he told me that he wanted to go on the Dragon Coaster again because he didn't think he would be scared.

It started getting drizzly again so we decided to find something indoors. That Atlantis attraction was perfect. the kid loved the aquarium displays.

The surprise ride of the day for Finn was the Pirate Ship ride where you squirt water at the other boats and the people watching from the castle turrets (who also have water guns to shoot the passing boats). Berlin hated this one because she didn't like getting wet. Hmmm. Wonder where she got that. I hate water rides too so it was not surprise when I opted out of this ride so I could play photographer.

UNDER ATTACK!

Being in Germany of course there is a courtyard with soccer busts. Ryan wanted his picture taken with some of them. The Beckham's ...

Hoisting up the World Cup...

The soccer stadium. This was by far the most impressive of all the scenes they created.

 

Some German soccer player that Ryan likes...

these are the sets that the kids liked looking at ...

 

As we headed over to the Hero Factory and Build Your Own Lego factory we noticed that the rides were shutting down. Apparently the park closes at 5:30pm? Odd. There was plenty of light to be had. Seems silly to close to early. We were pretty bummed because we didn't get to do those last few things. But it was a great day despite the poor weather. 

The next day we decided to take a day trip to Nürnberg. We are creatures of habit and Ryan has his favorites here that we have to hit up every time we come. Here we are eating the best lebkuchen (soft gingerbread cookies) in the market square. 

Followed by a lunch of brawts on crusty rolls from Ryan's favorite sausage hut in the background (the day trip really happened so he could partake of their goodness once again). 

We walked off all this yummy food by walking to the castle. It's a fabulous castle for strolling around. 

  

After the castle we headed back to Rothenburg for dinner. You know,cause we had to get the Doner kebab one more time before leaving.

 

We sure do love this city. The next day we left for the Mosel region of Germany - our last leg of the trip. Those pics coming later.