What's in your backyard?

When my family lived in Utah

we practically had the mountains at our back door. We lived right on the bench of the mountains, only 20 minutes away from the ski resorts, and totally loved it!

Now, here in Germany, we have the total opposite. We went from tall and soaring peaks to flat and grassy landscape! Just down the street from our house here in Germany we have acres and acres or endless farms, fields, grasslands, etc. Its amazing! My dad showed me what the image looks like on Google Earth and the green never ends it seems. Through out this never ending landscape are various bike paths. They go from big long paths with people enjoying the nature by biking, running, walking, even roller blading! While some are small, dirt paths that lead you through fields of wheat with a random house/farm here and there.

It is actually quite picturesque out there. The fields are so pretty during the spring time, sometimes you pass a quaint little lake, a small community restaurant here or there, and sometimes you can ride for ever and not see a soul.

Looking back I find it quite interesting how landscape affects weekly activities. During the winter in Utah we were up in the mountains constantly, my dad and I loving skiing with a passion, we would be up at the resorts every weekend. During the fall driving up the canyons to see the color change. And during the summer in Utah we would hike in the mountains. Going on family hikes to Lakes, or with friends, we were constantly up in the mountains, using them and enjoying them all year around.

Alright this was taken in early spring last year at my school, and if you ignore the crazy people in this picture you can see the mountains in the background! That's you close we were too the mountains!

But, living in Germany, where endless fields of green and gold are right next door, year around events are scarce. During the winter we rarely rode our bikes along the paths and through the fields, but in summer and fall, with everything blooming and the weather so nice, we take a bike ride out there almost every weekend!

We went on a very long bike ride today! The weather was perfect, we actually got a little hot at one point! The bike paths were a little busy at times, but not too bad! We took a different rout this time and saw some very interesting things! We passed by a small shack, I can't remember the name, but they had picnic tables set up everywhere and the place was packed. It looked like a small snack shack to me, but people were lining up to get their drinks and spicy sausage. (That is what my mom kept saying they were probably eating :] )

We also rode by a small community. There were a few very very very small homes on the side of the bike path/rode. We also rode by a field with tents set up, a camping ground, or a campingplatz, in German! Near the campinplatz was a small river, not one I would personally take a swim in, but there were people there, getting in the canoe's and swimming around.

Here are some pictures from our day!

My Dad!

Horse riders, I forgot to mention that every now and then on the path a few people riding horses pass by! Horse riding is very big here in Germany.

Holy Cow!! :)

Here is my PINK Bike taking a rest, by a pretty flower bush, from all the pedaling!!

My dad having a snack and soaking in the spring weather!

Miss Kathy Safety!

This picture doesn't do justice, but near the end of our journey today we rode along side a small river. On the other side of the river were these beautiful homes. Many of them had docks at the edge of their properties. They were very quaint and picturesque!

And that is my new backyard!