October 6, 2008 - Rhine River Valley

Our final days.
Icing on the cake.
A cruise on the Rhine River preceded by our stay in this "hotel"; a restored old wine storehouse from the middle ages; in Bacharach. The room was wonderfully appointed. The propriatress is Philippina.

This section (which includes Bacharach) of the Rhine is a mountain valley populated by a large number of picturesque castles overlooking the river.

They were of local rulers who would string chains across the river to extract tolls from those who travelled the river. Wars were fought between these local rulers as well as between nation-states: Rome, France, Prussia, Germany. All but one of the castles were destroyed by Napoleon but have since been rebuilt and restored.
Even though it was cloudy and rainy, the fall colors were spectacular.