The hills are alive!

After a month of hopping around from one destination to the next, I can honestly say that I’m glad to be at a resting point where I can take a breather.  I need a vacation from my vacation.

Not that I’m complaining, quite far from it, but to think that I’ve been in 5 countries and in multiple cities within the last month, it’s a little surreal to me.  It seems not too long ago when I sat at my desk at work, looking at a small Eiffel tower I bought from last year’s Euro-trip, thinking how great it would be if I were back in Europe.  That five euro souvenir has been a perfect token of remembrance for me to come back. And today, I’m living my dream come true.  It took me a couple years to get here but without a sliver of doubt, it has been worth it.

My home base has been in Steinbach, Germany where my brother and his family lives.  It’s a small beautiful town about 15 km southeast of Frankfurt.  He pretty much lives in the countryside with his backyard overlooking fields and rolling hills. Waking up to this view is something else.  It’s really quite magnificent.  And I have been fortunate enough to have him and his family here.

With no major or convenient form of transportation around his house, it’s been a challenge getting out of his neighborhood.  Pedaling on the autobahn with a bike is probably not the smartest thing to do either so I've spent a lot of time lounging around.  But I really don’t mind it much and instead, I’ve been taking advantage of the scenic trails just outside his front door by going on walks/runs for a couple of hours at a time.  The view reminds me of one of my all-time favorite movies – the Sound of Music.  I feel like pulling a Julie Andrews, frolicking through miles of grassy fields, as I scream on top of my lungs, “the happiest sound in the world!” Take a look; you would too if you were here…

{the road outside of his house, which is over to the right}

 {at the top of the road leads to this view}

{through the woods...}

{and to the other side which leads to more of this} 

Beautiful, no?

So for now, I’m enjoying a lazy Sunday with the fam before I set off on my next journey.  More photos to come soon!