Rhein-Main AB
We make a stop back at the base so that I can use my bank card and retrieve euros for us. Just outside the main gate, I pause to take a picture...big mistake. Some chief pulls over and starts to harass me for "unauthorized picture taking" BS. The German gate guards finally come over and I comply with their request to delete the picture (they were cordial about it). Interesting how my fond memories of this once bustling base come shattering down into a stupid moment like this.
Rhine Valley/Rhein Tal
We head about a 1/2 hour west and hit a local road that is on the western shore of the Rhine/Rhein River as it passes thru the Taunus Mountains. The mountains rise about 1000 feet on both sides and are lined with many medieval castles. Our first stop of the day is in the lovely town of St Goar/Sankt Goar.
Rheinfels Castle/Burg Rheinfels
Once the largest castle in this area, it was laid to seige by Napolean's French army and is
just a shell of its former self. Still, Locke and I had lots of fun as we were the first customers in and had the entire place to ourselves. Not a soul besides the cashier at the front entrance. We then shop in St Goar and upon returning to my car, a bunch of 
tourists from China surround my car and take pictures of it. Though I'm flattered, it's just an ordinary BMW...but they think otherwise – it's a celebrity! :)Eltz Castle/Burg Eltz
We head over to the Mosel Valley which is the prime wine growing region for Germany. Nestled in the hills is a wonderfully kepted castle. But, to get to it you must navigate extremely tight alleys in Moselkern and then venture up a long climb. Locke and I were already beat from our Nieschwanstein climb. We decide to pass on this, head west and say Goodbye!/Auf Wiedersehen! to Germany.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg City is the capital of this small country and we first stop over at the Luxembourg American Cemetary to pay tribute to the many fallen heroes of WWII. Included in this burial ground is General Patton – sadly, he died in a traffic accident 6 months after the war ended. Afterwards, we head over to the city and browse around for a while.
We finally head north and through the countryside and Luxembourg's towns. While the freeways are excellent, they seem to end many times and we're sent thru the town centers way too often. Locke and I get to a point of begging to see an autobahn sign. We finally cross the border back into Germany, get onto an autobahn, and head thru Belgium towards our destination of Amsterdam, Netherlands.Car Mileage: 1000 miles @ Weert, Netherlands
-- Al
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