04/11/16 day 9: Baienfurt, DE

One of the ways I grade hotels is the quality of the shower. Top grades go to the hotel with the removable shower head, variable streams (extra marks for pulsating options), and high/strong water pressure. If this was the only way I graded hotels, our hotel last night (Hotel Kapuzinerhof) in Biberach would get an A+. This thing could take the paint off your house and give your family a permanent orange afro. Man was that a good shower! Just be careful where you aim it. If that stream catches any number of things, you could be down for the count.

After enjoying a nice breakfast spread we packed the car and walked 3 minutes into town which I didn't have time to visit yesterday as I was lunging on the grass and then took a nap.

Biberach is a gem! Nice little Marktplatz with loads of stores and cafes and man the weather couldn't have been nicer. Bright warm sun and blue skies. We poked our heads into a couple spots, even enjoyed a fresh squeezed juice (Carrots and Pineapple), and ultimately ended up enjoying a Döner by a little stream in the shadow of the church. Jeff brought the Frank's Red Hot which was just what it needed, the Germans don't have a taste for heat, so even if you say to make it "scharf" which means "hot" it still has no teeth.

Dig these scenes:

A view of the venue in daylight

Donkey statue... ?

Reverse pano on the church

Loads of shops had these cool old signs out front

Pano view of the city from the old wall and watch tower.

The old watch tower.

We hit the road around 1:30 and drove past rolling fields and old farms. The sun was out in full force and the windows were down most of the 30 minute trip. Never even got to the autobahn. It was basically back roads all the way.

We rolled up to Tommy and Simone's house and were greeted immediately by Lotta who was playing in the yard and enjoying the sun. Love coming to this house; feels very warm and welcoming. We walked next door to Uli and Salka's house and sat on their terrace and got caught up. In between these two houses sits one of the bands favorite venues; Hoftheater, which Uli owns. Uli is also an actor and comedian and Tommy is his agent. Its like one big happy family.

Coffee and cake at 4.

I had a 20 minute nap before the grill was fired up. Tonight was big; the first grilling of the spring season. The weather was perfect spring weather; light breeze, sunny, crisp.

We enjoyed a real feast. Uli baked bread. Salka made pasta salad with big black olives and sun dried tomatoes. Simone made a big salad with homemade dressing. Tommy cooked chicken, pork cutlets, and beef. It was perfect!

The crew L to R: Simone, Emil, Small man, Uli, Daniel, Brian, Salka, Tommy, Jeff.

Grilling is serious business.

Grillmeister Tommy

Once the sun went down the fire was lit and the guitar came out and the bottle of Williams Christ schnapps from Kappelrodeck was passed around. Great night of laughter and music with good friends.