November Walk Through Altenburg and Aschbach

I never really appreciated it, but there is a lot going on in my little world! One of my favorite 2 mile morning walks takes me past stunning vistas, a castle, livestock, a “home,” and so much more. Please, come with me on my Journey through the delightful little community where we live in Bavaria.

When I pass through the front door every morning my choice is Left, and go down to the road or turn Right, and head up through the pasture. Everyone should have such hard decisions to make! Either way, it’s a beautiful circuit and I win no matter which way I turn. I have my favorite walks and they all offer something unique with each season. I haven’t been disappointed yet. Some days the Alps seem so close I can hold them in my hand. Other days they are shrouded in clouds and seem a hundred miles away. I never know which pastures will have horses on any given day or if the Horseback riding school will have ponies with little kids on them learning to ride. One thing I do know and that is I never tire of the scenery and beauty that is uniquely Bavaria!

If I head uphill to the Chapel and turn left, chances are I might find horses peacefully grazing in the pastures. Today? Well today, I saw miniature horses. Hadn’t seen these little guys before and they were adorable! Walking, munching and crunching!

When I get to the corner of the horse pasture, I turn left then turn about and see this….

Going straight, I end up at the 2 lane highway and as soon as there’s a break in traffic I scoot across to the Aschbacher Hotel, formerly known as The Berg Hotel. It sits right on the edge of a bluff and the view of the mountains in the distance brings weekend visitors galore to stay in its rooms and gaze out over the Alps.

Alpen view from the Aschbacher Hotel. Purple Mountain Majesty in Germany!

And this one, complete with sunbeams.

The Hotel also has several pastures and there are always horses out looking for a head rub which I am happy to provide!

Then I cross back over the highway and head down the tiny road past the Horseback riding school towards the Assisted Living Facility. The 2 buildings are right on the corner and they care for people with mental health concerns. Over the past 18 months, I gotten to meet quite a few of the residents as they are encouraged to be out and about as best able to enjoy the fresh air. Both the residents and myself benefit from our little chats.

They have these pretty stained glass mosaics decorations in the yard as well as resident Guinea Pigs!

Across the road from the Assisted Living Facility is the Weberhof. It’s a quaint Bed and Breakfast frequently used my bicycle tourists who ride from B&B to B&B every day.

Heading on down through Aschbach, there are the usual well kept houses with neat little yards and then there is this big old abandoned home with the attached barn. I would love to know its history and to see the inside! The owners live next door in a more modern house and keep the old homestead  well maintained. It’s directly across the street from our home and I never tire of looking at it.

Just another 60 second stroll takes me past our very own Schloss! A small “castle,” it was built several hundred years ago to guard the passage of salt on the Salt Road. Empty, it just now has been sold and will be turned into a center for plastic surgery! I haven’t been inside as yet, but I’m working on it!

And that’s the end of my simple, every day 2 mile walk. Not exciting, but never dull and always something new to be discovered! The history of our town starts in the year 789 AD, so it’s safe to say there is a lot to be discovered!

What a Journey this girl is on!