Last Day on the Hühnsruck..

Well, it had to happen; this is our last night in Germany. We had a wonderful day again here traveling with Gerlinde and visiting old friends.
First we had a long breakfast, talking, laughing, eating, planning. The first thing we did was go to Kaefer´s (aka Three Sisters)which was and still is very nice store in Sohren. When our family was here before it was open, still is, and still operated by one of the children who was only 22 when we were here but is still going strong. She produced a book that she started keeping for returning Americans who were stationed @ Hahn and of course I wrote a few lines, names, dates, etc. Bought the usual crystal and doodads at "cheap" prices and had a good time there. Was nice to see a familiar sight after touring Hahn yesterday w Peter Shittko and Gerlinde and finding Hahn to be quite a different place! My old hospital is gone and the sight now we believe is a parking lot! We also did a dry run to return the rental car, catch a bus to Frankfurt, and go from there. No one wants to leave.
We then went to the church and the gravesite. I wanted to see where Carsten rests. Was very poignant for me, enough said.
We then traveled down to Burg Eltz! I took the family down there 30 years ago and we had a wonderful time. I ate yet another schintzel, a Bitburger Pils, then walked 1 mile to the castle. Is very cool and I know Susan enjoyed it too. Gerlinde is quite a walker.
We then visited Helmut Fuchs, another old team-mate. He heard I was around and we recognized each other immediately. Yet another very nice reunion.
My German friends have been so wonderful to Susan and I, very warm and gracious. The day yesterday w Peter was so much fun, and Gerlinde´s continual presence is priceless. I have fears we will not see her again; she will have to form a new life for herself and it probably will not include travel back to the US, especially to Arizona. I don´t know if or when we can come back here. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the future. Peter and Jorg promise to come to the States in the near future and stay with us some, but I am sad for and about Gerlinde. She is a very strong woman, though, and I know she will do fine where-ever life will take her.
This has been a very special trip with many very special friends and experiences. I will miss these wonderful people and this wonderful place for a long long time.
Tomorrow we catch the bus, catch the plane, and hopefully to end up in Tucson.
Love, DAD