first glimpse of Kandern

First and foremost, the Art Factory, where we are staying in a guest room while we find an apartment. It's been great fun to see all the ways it's changed since we saw it over 3 years ago.

It's apple season, and we caught our first German festival the Saturday after we arrived. It was a craft festival in a nearby village, but at the food tent, they were making fresh apple juice.


John hiked up the hill just behind the art factory, and this was the view across the valley on the other side.







And this is typical inside of town.





We walk down this street into the center of town to get to most everything. It follows the edge of the river, the Kanderner, and is a main road connecting area villages.


We're not exactly sure what this is - maybe some kind of lever for operating the shutters? At any rate the heads added for embellishment caught our eyes.








We're both delighted to be here in time to catch the fall colors. The hillsides are beginning to light up with orange and gold.



I have no explanation for this one. Maybe they are trying to appeal to American visitors?


So much that is beautiful around us - we are relishing it and grateful!

en route

Checking in at Seatac airport.

While we are generally undaunted by airports, security and international travel, taking our dog added a whole new dimension.



We had a 10-hr layover in DC. Nia got a break from her crate and hung out with us in the baggage claim area. There was a fenced in dog area just outside, and she got plenty of attention from people at the airport.

Peanut butter crackers - a rare treat courtesy of Pat and Rakel.


See? We all managed just fine!


And after long hours of travel, we arrived in Kandern. Here's our Art Factory teammates with a great, much-welcomed hot meal, helping us stay awake until bedtime.

commissioning

These photos are courtesy of Gene Takalo from Sunday, Sept. 26. Only 2 weeks ago - wow! Feels like ages as we experience and learn so much each day.