My goodness, Day 11 already! In Speyer

Well, I can't believe it's been so long since I've been able to post something. The coverage is spotty for sure, and so much has happened, and it's all been such a wonderful trip.
We sailed down the Mosell and stopped at 2 old stomping grounds, Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trabach. We did more wine probes, wonderful and fun-filled dinners, and tours. I can't remember drinking more German white Reisling wines that I have these past few days and maybe that's part of why I haven't posted, not sure. But, we have lots and lots of pictures to share.
I've had chess games on top of the boat, great discussions with new friends, such a fun trip (have I said that?)
Anyway, yesterday was Rudesheim (on the way we ran the gauntlet down the Rhine; about 12 castles with running commentaries and wine of course en route), and did another tour of the town of course. Last night's dinner was a really fun time with a band, lots of people out for the dinner, and it was in a restaurant in the town itself. Got back about 10 and then stayed on top of the boat sharing another bottle of wine with friends. We need to be getting to bed earlier I think.
Tonight we dine on board, then have a KriskindleMarkt on board as well en route to Strasbourg. Strasbourg is the "Venice" of France and I've been there before. Promises to be another great day for sure; we continue to have great weather without rain to dampen our journey.
No one's missed any more boat deadlines, but the subject still comes up once in a while..
The antiquity of these places boggles the mind. Speyer dates from about 2000 years ago, first a German tribe settlement, then Roman, then German tribe again, then the Franks, then the Holy Roman Empire property, then this and then that and so it goes. A common thread is that everthing gets destroyed about every 300-400 years or so, then re-built. The cathedral here, though, was built in the 800's and stayed pretty consistent. It's Romanesque (as opposed to Baroque) and it shows. It was Here in This cathedral that Martin Luther started his move to reforming the Catholic Church, which, of course, resulted in the great schism. Anyway, it's an exciting place to be and to be able to sit in these places and listen to the stories. We've had great guides as well.
We've seen ancient city walls, cathedrals, castles, parts of castles, and so on.
Soon we will leave this ship and our new friends, and head up to see some old and dear ones. Hope all is well in Arizona! Go Cat's! Love DAD