Germania is the classical mythic female figure representing Germany. In her
raised, extended right hand is the Imperial Crown. The Imperial Sword is in her
left hand. The monument has, for years, reflected national pride and the
creation of a single German nation. Today within the context of the European
Community, such proud, almost bellicose feelings are somewhat passe. But it is
an important relic of an epoch and an era, and, like the dinosaur, part of the
past.
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I thought the hike north from the monument north through the forest preserve to
Assmannshausen would take about thirty minutes. Instead it took closer to an
hour of steady walking.
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It was a very pleasant walk and the forest trees shaded us from the heat of the
midday sun. Every so often the forest would open to beautiful views of the
Rhine far below and we "took five" to enjoy the sights. We passed an old castle
ruin and a deer park, finally arriving at the Siehlban that would take us down
to Assmannshausen.
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We were tired troopers by the time we alighted from the chair lift and with the
hot temperatures something cold and wet seemed an ideal solution. We spied a
restaurant that had a window opening to the street and went in. We needed a
window to spot Marilyn and Geraldine who said they'd meet us at the chair lift
here in town. We were seated long enough to order a cold beer and swing open
the window when, miracle of miracles, we spotted our two ladies trudging up the
street. We called their names and when they recognized who was inside the
restaurant they were more than willing to take lunch with us.
After lunch Kim and Pete took the train back to Rudesheim to explore more of the
town. The rest of us trudged down to the river, looking for the KD docks as it
began to rain. We had to dash across a freeway to get to the docks, but they
saw us and held the boat until we could board. Thank goodness!
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