First things first. I dare you to not get TLC stuck in your head while reading this post. Secondly, as I write this, I am SICK. SO SICK. Like hacking up a lung SICK. And I hate being sick, especially in a foreign land. And even more especially in a foreign land where they consider Vitamin C and Echinacea an appropriate solution to lung-hacking. And if I’m being completely honest, I’m also a huge baby. Regardless, if you’re reading this, please send a full-time nurse, some antibiotics, some of that good American Pseudoephedrine, and a hug. Okay, enough of my whining. Onto our day trip to Triberg!
November 1st is All Saint’s Day in certain states in Germany, so we had the day off to sightsee. Choosing day trips is really tough, especially on a holiday since most things are closed. I saw pictures of Triberg, which is located in the Black Forest, and I thought it looked like a great fall escape to get out and enjoy before the Germany wintry weather is really upon us.
It was a three hour train ride, which is especially beautiful as you enter the Black Forest. The trees along the ride are incredible – extremely tall spruce and fir trees that seem to reach up into space. Also, I feel like I need to clarify that the train above is not the train we took to Triberg (love you, Mom)!
The town is most known for it’s cuckoo clocks and it’s waterfall. We started the day with a trek up to see the waterfall, which was the real reason we wanted to visit. It’s a pretty good workout up the hill to see the waterfall, especially if you choose to go all the way to the top, but so worth it! Also, I continue to be impressed that in Germany there is always someone significantly older and less fit to hike up a hill, doing it without complaint. So, no room for whiners, up I go!
On our way up to see the waterfall, we passed a guy wearing a Texas A&M jacket, and despite the fact that I’m what you would call a ‘2 percenter’ Aggie, barely went to football games, and the worst offense – married a Longhorn, something strange happened and I spontaneously transformed into a yell leader and gave a big ‘Whoop!’ AND “Gig ’em” with the thumb and all. I haven’t seen Andy since. I’m kidding, he can’t escape me.
The waterfall and the trail up to the waterfall was truly stunning. Perhaps I haven’t seen many waterfalls, but I thought the views were definitely worth the trip.
After our hike up to see the waterfalls, we made our way back down into town and had worked up quite an appetite. We had a pretty traditional German meal, accompanied with a beer, of course, and then set off to see the rest of what the town had to offer.
Triberg is known for it’s cuckoo clocks, so we went in one of it’s most well-known shops, House of 1000 Clocks. The intricate detail that goes into making these clocks was truly impressive. There was also really neat wood-working shop with figurines, manger scenes, and Christmas ornaments all carved out of wood.
Now, this is where I feel like I need to be completely honest with anyone reading this. This is about where we ran out of things to do, and learned a small lesson in travel planning. If you aren’t sure how long you will spend somewhere, buy the flexible train tickets or rent a car! Yes, had we really thought this through, we would have rented a car, because beyond the beautiful waterfall, there wasn’t much else to see!
I think sometimes bloggers don’t share enough about things they’ve been slightly disappointed in, so I’m putting it out there, guys! With all due respect to Triberg, the waterfalls were beautiful but there’s only so much of my day I can fill with cuckoo clocks.
If I were to do it again, would we make the day trip to Triberg? Yes, of course! But we would do it tagged onto another trip, possibly to see more of the Black Forest.
Now, back to hanging in bed the rest of the day in my sea of tissues.
