Shawn and I decided about six months ago we wanted to have a 4 day adventure paddle boarding down a river like Huck Finn or Davy Crockett. Thus, our Memorial day weekend 75 km trip down the Neckar River.
For those who like to follow along, here's the map Shawn put together:
The goal was to paddle from Bad Wimpfen to Heidelberg (about 75 km) with all our camping gear. To keep the weight and planning effort to a minimum we decided to stop by grocery stores or eat a Restaurants along the way.
Bad Wimpfen is a magical little mid-evil village. Like most castles on the Neckar, It survived WWII due to it's lack of strategic value. The allies didn't need to travel the direction the river flows so the by-passed the mountainous region and went focused on the more strategic cities.
Bad Wimpfen is pretty sheltered from non-German tourist. Most signs and Restaurants menus are only in German and the streets were pleasantly empty.
The streets are magical, lined with Bavarian style houses and that lean to one side or the other. There is really a sense of aged-perfection as you explore the town.
Shawn laughed as I started our river journey referring to my instruction manual. He said I looked like a total "Noob," who didn't know how to get his board in the water. In my defense, I was looking to see what kind of glue is used to patch a paddle board, then I threw the manual away to save on space. I'd like to add, Shaw was the first and only person to fall into the water.
Honestly, that's how happened.
Pumping the boards up. We picked camp sites on the water so we only had to pump up the boards once during the trip. I also had to convert all my packed gear into dry bags for amphibious mode.
Hitting the river hard.
Hitting the Locks. Unfortunately, most Germans (especially lock operators) feel paddel boarding in the Lock is too dangerous with the risk of Shawn falling off his board and everything. So we had to carry our stuff around the lock...
...but thanks to German consideration, they did build a cart system to haul your stuff on. It's a good consolation.
Stairs, why did the cart end at stairs? Where's the ramp?
One of many amazing castles.
Starting out, showered, kind of rested, with a full belly. We found breakfast at a bakery, got some snacks from the grocery store. We're ready to go!
Come to find out, a huge flash flood sweep through Germany a few days before our trip. Most of the river was flooded only a day or so before we traveled on it. It made the river kind-of brown, the banks really muddy, and the current super helpful.
Can you still call a meal "Brunch" if you eat breakfast before and lunch afterwards.
We found a restaurant before our hike of the Wolfsschlucht Zwingenberg Wanderung and needed to use the bathroom, so why not eat again?
Hiking the Wolfsschlucht Zwingenberg Wanderung. It is an amazing, moss covered stream. Totally worth coming back to do with the family.
Zwingenberg Castle, the current residence of the Prince of Baden. How fancy.
The mist caused by the storm made dramatic scenery.
Okay...I've always though lumberjacks were cool. I grew up watching Monty Python and Red Green, so when I saw a log floating down the river I had to jump on it. This is a dream come true, and my success of staying afloat proves I have lumberjack blood in my veins.
Shawn got on the action too. It was pretty amazing.
Here we are, at another lock. I'm walking to get the bootswagen (boat wagen) and the lock operator says "Hey, ich muss das Schloss leeren. Willst du es runterfahren?" I don't actually know what he said, but he was pointing at the open lock so I ran back, jumped on our boards, and rode the lock downstream.
It was another dream come true. Shawn now introduces himself as "Shawn, Rider of Locks."
Going Down!
...And we didn't die
This swan aggressively followed us for a while.
I think he wanted us to pay a toll for traveling his river.
Eberbach
setting up camp
View from the City tower
I found the largest salami in Germany, so we bought it an eat it with pretzels.
Today was the first day with a headwind and the current most died, so today was mostly a lot of paddling and no lock riding.
Hard at work
Taming of the swans
We found another beautiful city with a castle on top.
This is the city of Hirschhorn.
We stopped for a small lunch.
Shawn actually laughed at me when my oversized
bacon covered mean was delivered.
More Locks with the Bootswagon
Dilsburg: a gorgeous hilltop castle/village.
It was a bit of a hike, but well worth the effort.
Everywhere we looked in Dillsburg was beautiful, and we arrived
when the light was very dramatic.
The hike from Dilsburg back to camp
Ready to go
Nearing Heidelberg we began to find modern civilization. Most of the day the wind was strong enough to blow us up stream if we didn't fight it. Lots of work but still lots of fun.
One last Lock
Heidelberg Castle
Final pull out at the Heidelberg boat club. Followed by 1 km walk to the train station and a 90 minute ride back to Kaiserslautern. Funny thing. Kaiserslautern Scorer club had one of their biggest games of the year that night and the train was a mad house.
Then back to real life the next day. Unfortunately Shawn and Kate are moving back to the States this week and our adventuring will require a little more traveling.
The goal was to paddle from Bad Wimpfen to Heidelberg (about 75 km) with all our camping gear. To keep the weight and planning effort to a minimum we decided to stop by grocery stores or eat a Restaurants along the way.
Day 1: Bad Wimpfen
Off we go from Kaiserslautern train station.
Yes, I have a backpack on my chest because my paddle board is on my back.
Bad Wimpfen is a magical little mid-evil village. Like most castles on the Neckar, It survived WWII due to it's lack of strategic value. The allies didn't need to travel the direction the river flows so the by-passed the mountainous region and went focused on the more strategic cities.
Bad Wimpfen is pretty sheltered from non-German tourist. Most signs and Restaurants menus are only in German and the streets were pleasantly empty.
Day 2: Hitting the river.
Honestly, that's how happened.
LETS DO THIS THING!
Hitting the river hard.
Cooking lunch on the river. (I brought a few backup meals)
One of many amazing castles.
Shawn noticed a railing on the side of the cliff, so we decided to explore. It lead to a cave about 20 square fee big. We couldn't figure out why some built a railing, but figured the anti-mugle charms worked at keeping us distracted.
Day 3: The most PERFECT day of my life
We found a restaurant before our hike of the Wolfsschlucht Zwingenberg Wanderung and needed to use the bathroom, so why not eat again?
We went back to the Italian restaurant for lunch just as a thunderstorm hit. Our lovely meal lasted exactly as long as the storm. We walked into and out of the restaurant completely dry. (Perfect timing)
It was another dream come true. Shawn now introduces himself as "Shawn, Rider of Locks."
Down
At the bottom
I think he wanted us to pay a toll for traveling his river.
Day 4: Not a perfect day, but still a great day
This is the city of Hirschhorn.
Shawn actually laughed at me when my oversized
bacon covered mean was delivered.
It was a bit of a hike, but well worth the effort.
when the light was very dramatic.
Day 5: The Grand Finally
Then back to real life the next day. Unfortunately Shawn and Kate are moving back to the States this week and our adventuring will require a little more traveling.
Dang that looks like a awesome adventure. Seriously jealous.
ReplyDeleteI forgot how much fun you guys are. And I would totally paddle that river. Great post. Hi to Jill and the kinder!
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