Luisenpark Easter Egg Market

Today, we had great, long-made plans to head up to Luxembourg and Trier for the weekend.  However, the weather had different plans for us.  The weather in Luxembourg and Trier called for rain/snow/wind and highs in the low 30s.  We decided to about this plan and stick around Heidelberg where it was forecasted to be just a little bit warmer and drier.  So, we headed up to Mannheim to check out an Easter Egg Market in Luisenpark.  The Germans always have things for the kids at these types of events, but not at this one.  It wasn't much fun for the girls because they were constantly being told "don't touch that" and "stay away from this".  However, the artistry shown on the eggs was amazing!

Mimi and the girls entering the park.

Hand painted eggs.

Pretty Egg Tree.

 

After we checked out the egg market, we decided to spend a little time exploring the park which is one of our favorite places near Heidelberg.

Leena and Papa get a good laugh over a huge catfish swimming in the water.

These guys kept us entertained for a while.

Taryn makes two new friends.

One scary dude.  He seemed to be missing an eye.

On our way home, it turned out that a big soccer game was about to begin next to the park.  This was the scene on the street as we exited the park.  Countless police cars lined up with an entire swat team further up the road.  Also, the street was completely closed to traffic.  It took us a while to get out of our parking lot and even longer to maneuver through all the people walking to the game.  It was NUTS!

Bad Wimpfen and Ladenburg

Our jet lagged visitors, who are normally early risers, emerged from their room at 10:00am this morning!  I hurried them along and away we went down the road to a cute little town called Bad Wimpfen.  We had attended a Christmas Market there and I have been anxious to get back.  Since we got such a late start, we did not have much time since we were planning to pick up the girls from school.  Fortunately, I think we had just enough time to get a feel for this great little town.

Entering Bad Wimpfen through one of the medieval gates.

The town was all decorated for Easter.

On the Hauptstrasse.

Just love the half timbered houses here.

I found a picture of this house on the Internet and we lucked out in finding it.  Just rounded a corner and there it was!

 

German lawn ornament.

Interesting decorations.

The city fountains were elaborately decorated for Easter.

Mom and Dad in front of the Blauer Turm.  Dad and I climbed the 166 stairs to the top!

View from the top of the tower.  Beautiful and cold!

View of the Nekar River from the ruins of an old castle.

Leaving town through an old castle entrance.

We made it just in time to pick up the girls from school and then headed over to another cute nearby town, Ladenburg.  We strolled around for a little while before having the best dinner that we've had in Germany since we got here.  This restaurant was recommended to us by Silke over a year ago and we just now got the chance to try it out.  FAB.U.LOUS!! 

 

More beautiful Easter decorations.

Romans ruins underneath a church.

Girl shot!

Just love how houses and buildings are built right into the medieval wall.

The witch tower.

Time out for a little playground time!

Mimi and the girls at dinner.

Papa and Leena about to dig in!

My dinner!  Your steak was served raw on a hot plate.  You cook your own steak to your liking.  It was amazing!!  The girls even got their own mini-steaks!

A happy boy!

Papa helps Leena cook and cut her steak.

Outside the restaurant with stuffed bellies!