Weekend trips

Zuiderzee Museum
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Every Weekend we have taken a trip, usually a day trip on the train.  Sept. 29 we rented a car and went to the Mosel in germany.

Our first trip was north to the town of Enkuizen and then took a short boat trip to the Zuiderzee Museum, an open air museum where buildings from around the North of Holland have been reconstructed in a seaside village, showing the importance of fishing in Holland.

On Sept. 17 we visited Leiden, home of the oldest University in Holland, founded in 1575 by William of Orange.  This was my favorite of the cities we have visited, maybe because of 20,000+ university students gives it a certain excitement similar to Boulder.  Plus it has canals running through the area with great ornate buildings.

Harbor of the Zuiderzee Museum
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On Sept. 24 we went to Haarlam, a city since 1245.  Not many canals through the city but a couple of impressive buildings on the square.

On Sept. 29 we rented a car and drove to the Mosel River in Germany.  We were there in August but the weather was so bad we felt cheated and since this is Tom's favorite place, we went back.  We had warm sunny days and found 3 wine and beer festivals.  Tom was in heaven. We visited a small winery during picking time.  The German family brings the same Polish family of 4-6 people to their vineyard every year for 4 to 5 weeks.  When we were there in August it was rainy and the wife said t"he rain has to stop now" or the grapes would be ruined.  The rain did stop at the right time and they expected a good harvest.

floating cafe on a Leiden canal
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On Oct. 8 we went to Rotterdam.  Rotterdam is the world's largest port, at the mouth of the Rhine and Maas rivers.  This town was completely destroyed during World War II, both by the allies and Germans.   It is now a modern city, with a city plan of straight streets and modern buildings.   We went because there was an exhibit of Magritte works.