Walk in the Taunus

Frankfurt is surrounded by open areas, mostly with woods. The Taunus is a hilly area around the city to the west. Some areas are more or less frequented and others quite isolated. This path (near Saalburg) was in between, on the way to a Roman-made ridge--the Limes--which marked the border between the Roman realm to the east and the barbarians to the west.

Günter, our host, hikes in these hills two or three times a week when he's in town, and so he was able to guide us with great authority--even as darkness and fog closed in. I hope the image captures the spirit of some works by Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), the great German Romantic painter.

As I noted in yesterday's blip (backblipped), Günter hosted us and 14 other guests at his party last evening. I promised a blip from the festivities, but although they lasted till 3 a.m., nothing after midnight approached this image. Nonetheless it was a wonderful party.

Our very best wishes to everyone for the New Year!