Prelude to Writing
For a while, I debated whether to blog about our vacation or not. I found myself questioning if anyone would be interested in reading my thoughts and experiences. Ultimately, I concluded that I wanted to share this journey, especially since I managed to capture some memorable photographs during our time away. Therefore, I will document the occasions where I took photos worth sharing, starting with the planning stages and our first stop on the way to the Black Forest.
Intro
Between June and July, my wife and I embarked on our first vacation of the year. Unfortunately, this trip had faced delays due to our poor planning in the earlier months. When we finally sat down to plan, several constraints shaped our decision-making process. We prefered not to travel too far and my wife knew that I wanted to engage in some activities like hiking. Additionally, we were on the lookout for something new since we had previously visited the Bavarian Forest (Bayerischer Wald), and both of us had been intrigued by the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), believing it would offer stunning scenery and unique experiences.
Planning & First Stop
With the decision made, we set our sights on the Black Forest. As is our custom, we ordered a handful of hiking guidebooks and city guides to aid in our planning. We aimed for a rough itinerary, highlighting points of interest close to our accommodations, as well as those a bit farther afield. My wife found a suitable stay in the town of Baiersbronn, which appeared to be a good starting point for various activities.
Our journey commenced with about a four-hour drive from our home to Baiersbronn. Thankfully, my wife suggested we make some stops along the way. I took a step back and allowed these stops to be a surprise, which added an element of excitement to our adventure.
Our first stop was the city of Ulm. We were fortunate to find a parking space conveniently located very close to old city center. Strikingly, I began my foray into photography with a motif that deviated from my usual focus: it was 0% nature and 100% urban: concrete and cars. Navigating the underground parking, marked by a bright red path, became my first challenge in this photo adventure. However, I want to assure you that street photography was not the focus of this trip!
Upon leaving the parking garage, we stepped into the old town of Ulm, which turned out to be quite worth the visit. I discovered several charming spots perfect for photography, such as the Ulm Minster, the Fishermen’s Quarter, the town walls and some more! It was really a very beautiful start into our vacation. Yet especially the old town was a real challenge for my photography!
One particular highlight was the rose garden. A place I had low expectations for, initially assuming it would just be, well, roses. However, I was taken aback by the enthralling scent that permeated the air. Here, I took the opportunity to experiment with foregrounds in my images, even though the midday light wasn’t particularly favorable for photography. Still, capturing the moments felt essential for creating lasting memories.
As we strolled through the serene gardens, I was pleased with my captures. The charming architecture and vibrant flowers set the perfect stage for some memorable photos. Even if it is unfortunate that I cannot capture and reproduce the scent of the roses. But well – we can’t have it all.
After our wander through the captivating streets of Ulm, we prepared ourselves for the next leg of our journey. I literally didn’t inform myself more about our next stop. My wife just told me that there’s a place “with waterfalls” along the way that was recommended on a couple of websites. I just thought: “okay, waterfalls might always be nice, let’s see!”
However, I will delve into that in more detail in the next post in this series. Stay tuned as we venture into the heart of the Black Forest and explore its natural wonders.
All posts from our trip to the Black Forest in 2024:
-
Exploring the Black Forest: A Journey Begins
Embarking on a series of blog posts, join us as we delve into our vacations in the Black Forest. The first stop in Ulm was just the beginning of an adventure filled with stunning landscapes, surprising discoveries, and captivating photography. Stay tuned for more tales from this scenic journey.
-
A Scenic Waterfall: Bad Urach on our way to Baiersbronn
Continuing our journey to the Black Forest, we took a scenic stop near Bad Urach. Hoping for breathtaking waterfalls! While navigating the heat and capturing the beauty of the surroundings with my camera, we encountered unexpected moments and experiences that enhanced our hike. Here’s a detailed account of our adventure.
-
From Lakes to Waterfalls: A Journey through the Black Forest
Our first day in the Black Forest set the tone for a memorable vacation filled with hiking paths, stunning scenery, and unexpected experiences. Join us as we explore Baiersbronn’s hiking offerings, tackle the Sankenbachsteig trail, and cap off our day with a delightful visit to Freudenstadt.
-
A Multi-Stop Journey: From Observation Towers to Waterfalls
Join us as we navigate a day filled with breathtaking views and fascinating stops in the Black Forest. From Freudenstadt’s observation tower to the serene Allerheiligen Waterfalls and the National Park Center, we embraced the essence of this stunning region. Each stop offered unique experiences and photographic opportunities.
-
Capturing Mood and Memory on the Satteleisteig
On Day 4 of our vacation in the Black Forest, we ventured onto the Satteleisteig trail. With a mix of warm weather and occasional rain, we enjoyed lush landscapes and scenic views, culminating in a delightful break at the Sattelei cabin. Join us as we recount the highlights of this tranquil day.
-
Warm Days and Good Company: Hiking with Friends in the Black Forest
During our vacation in the Black Forest, we planned a short hike with friends, eager to enjoy nature and reconnect. Choosing the “Glücksweg,” we were greeted with hot weather, delightful conversations, and a sense of tranquility. Here’s a recount of our day filled with friendship and beautiful surroundings.
-
A Rainy Day of Hiking and History in the Black Forest
On Day 6 of our Black Forest adventure, rain dictated our plans. We set out to explore a hike, hoping for atmospheric photos, before taking refuge in the National Park Center. The day unfolded with unexpected joys and a fascinating exhibition, showcasing the area’s natural history and allure.
-
Exploring the Charm of Black Forest Villages
On Day 7 of our vacation in the Black Forest, we traded hiking for an exploration of charming villages like Baden-Baden and Schiltach. Enjoying the serendipity of nice weather, we discovered audio-guided tours and impressive architecture along the way. Here’s a detailed account of our road trip adventure.
-
Embracing Solitude on the Tonbachsteig
On Day 8 of our Black Forest vacation, we set out to explore the “Genießerpfade” trail, Tonbachsteig. This hike offered serene forest paths, historical insights, and encounters with local wildlife, alongside beautiful photographic opportunities. Join me as we recount the day’s subtle joys and discoveries in nature.
-
Discovering the Bosensteiner Almpfad
On Day 9 of our Black Forest adventure, we embarked on the Bosensteiner Almpfad, a trail through ancient forests and breathtaking vistas. Amidst cloudy skies, damp foliage, and serene woodland scenes, we experienced the tranquil beauty of nature during this atmospheric hike.
@blog I would always encourage personal blogs Franz and you are a good writer. I think it important for family members and the interested public but most of all you should write for you. I yearn for the old days when we all had blogs as so much is now lost in the "quick-fix" micro blogging world that I am also part of. Keep it going.
Oh that’s a good point. All the social media posts will (in my case) be forgotten within very short time.
Thanks for the compliment about being a good writer. Yessterday, it took me rather long to write this comparatively short text … I spent a lot of time drafting, formulating, letting rewrite (yes I use tools for it), proof reading, rephrasing again, …
And finally letting my wife proof read as well 😀
But you’re right in the point about writing for myself. Writing about that day brings back so many memories – and hopefully I’ll read it again later … but let’s see.
Anyways: thanks a lot for taking the time to write the feedback!
Yep – der Schwarzwald hat viel mehr zu bieten als nur „Bollenhüte“ und die Natur ist dort wirklich toll! Man muss sich aber ein wenig auf 80er-Jahre-Tourismus-Feeling einlassen… 😉
Haha, das stimmt – wobei ich auch überrascht war, wieviele hochpreisige / neue Hotels es um Baiersbronn herum gibt. Aber Wadner-/Fahrradtechnisch war ich sehr beeindruckt! Sowohl von der Beschilderung, als auch von den Karten etc, die zumindest Baiersbronn in form von Büchlein kostenlos zur Verfügung stellt.