We have been wanting to go to Strasbourg for a while now. We went this past weekend for a short trip; it ended up being only about 24 hours! (but that was long enough when traveling with 2 kids) Strasbourg is nice and close, 2 hours away just across the border in France. It looked and felt very much like Germany, except that people were speaking French.
(L) main square; (R) There was outdoor dining everywhere we turned! Everyone was enjoying the warm weather.
The Strasbourg Cathedral, definitely the tallest one we have seen. Pictures don't do it justice. It was amazing.
(L) inside; (R and below) Aaron hiked up as far as they would allow, and these are photos from the top.
(L) another smaller cathedral in town; (R) Aaron and the kids before taking our boat cruise around the city.
(R) Our tour involved going through a canal lock. Here we are locked in and waiting for the water to flow in and bring us up to the next level.
All that sun wore everyone out!
The next morning we visited this beautiful park. In addition to the gardens, they had a playground and a small zoo. It was really lovely. I could have stayed there for hours, but Jack didn't want to follow us and had a massive screaming tantrum...which continued throughout the 10 minutes it took to carry him back through the park to the car. Everyone was staring, but I'm used to that. This happens quite often.
I did get to see one more thing while everyone else stayed in the car, just this outside view of Château de Pourtalès, which is now a hotel.
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Strasbourg was a nice place, but we've decided that traveling with two small kids is sometimes more effort than it's worth. This trip made me really nervous for the upcoming flight to Idaho by myself with the kids. It's 15.5 hours air time, not including 2 layovers. Last year it was a little better since Lucas was only 6 weeks old and just slept the whole time, although he was on my lap. Now he's a mobile, curious little busy-body, and still has to be on my lap. And neither of my kids sleep unless it's dark. Last year, Jack did not sleep a wink all the way to Salt Lake, although it was well past 1:00 am German time, because it was light. Oh, and then there's the collecting all the luggage once you land in America to go through customs and then re-check it, while carrying the kids. I'd say I'm in for an adventure! Coming back to Germany is much easier because it's overnight, but of course, that's the leg Aaron is flying with me. (Not his fault; that's just how it worked out.)
