Koln in the Daytime

Houston, we had a problem, but a good neighbor here was able to find the solution and so I am able to bring you up to date once again.

The pictures today are from Koln (Cologne) in the daytime. We began again by walking across the railway bridge toward the Koln Dom (major cathedral). On the bridge you will find thousands of locks, engraved with the names of couples and a date. They secure the lock on the bridge and throw the key into the Rhein. We came across such a couple and, well, you know me, I had to engage them in conversation. I took their picture placing the lock and then tossing the key. I have some others as well and then included them in a group picture with Ingrid and cousin Willie. I took their email address and sent the pictures to them. I would have provided the marriage service, but it is the wrong country. They have been to California a couple of times so we hope to connect in the future.

Next you see a picture of the Dom and please note that we climbed the left tower with its current configuration of 544 steps. It was breathtaking (literally) and then you see a picture taken from the top. More pictures of the cathedral, including the oldest crucifix known, and then St. Martin's Church above one of the shopping plazas. There are hundreds of such cathedrals in the city and this was such a gorgeous time of year with the leaves turning colors as is demonstrated in the final picture.

What a marvelous time we are having as we travel from place to place. Next we move on to more cousins near Aachen, which is another old and beautiful city of renoun. Charlamagne established the significance of this area known for its mineral baths. Coronations of kings were performed in Aachen and then they proceeded to Koln to present themselves before the tomb of the three wise kings of the east.

I'll put up some pictures from Aachen now.