As you read this Monday morning, I’ll be hauling my bags from car to plane to bus to train to a different train to car until at last I find myself (hopefully!) in Montepulciano to start a week of celebrating for my brother’s wedding. I don’t know if I’ll have internet access, so if you don’t hear from me for a week, don’t be alarmed. I promise to take heaps of pictures and tell you all about it when I get the chance. πŸ™‚

Until we meet again, I have to share these shots of beautiful Mummelsee, Germany, a stunning lake high in the Black Forest above Baden-Baden.

Mummelsee

My friends took me hiking here after we fortified ourselves at the Mummelsee lodge with hearty slabs of Black Forest Cake heady with kirsche (cherry brandy), Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce and rich German Cheesecake.

Mountain goats

It is one of my favorite walks in this area, especially on a sunny afternoon. We came here at Christmastime last year and walked on firmly packed snow around the iced over lake.

This time we walked on dry ground, strolling happily as the sun glistened over the water and glimmered down through the trees.

Mummelsee Germany

We were joined by crowds of holiday-makers, everyone cheerful and so happy to be outside in the fresh mountain air.

Mummelsee Woods
Legend has it that the lake is home to the King of Mummelsee and his water nymphs who remain quiet during the day but rise to the surface at night.

Some say the nymphs are actually nuns who lived in a monastery that was supposed to have stood where Mummelsee is now. The nuns were known for their kindness to local farm families and their children. Unfortunately tragedy struck when a nun fell in love with a farm boy and black water bubbled up from the earth to swallow the monastery and all who lived there.

Apparently we didn’t stay late enough because we failed to see either the King or his water nymphs.

Mummelsee Lodge

It was a gorgeous walk though, and one I highly recommend to anyone visiting the Black Forest.