We’re finally out of September! It’s still been raining almost non-stop and cold in the mid- 50s. The leaves are starting to change and you can feel fall is right around the corner.
September felt endless, and it seemed like the fiscal year-end on September 30 would never arrive. But it did—late that night—and we rolled straight into the government shutdown.
Matt and I are still working, so not much has changed for us. But for the kids, it’s a different story. All extracurricular activities and sports have been canceled until the shutdown ends—including Homecoming, which was supposed to be this weekend. I’m so bummed for them, especially after all the planning and excitement that went into these events. We are still waiting to find out when it will be rescheduled. Hopefully it will be soon as the weather is quickly changing and the kids may not get a chance to finish out their sports seasons, even if they can have the dance.
Tuesday was a big day for Ryan as he was pinned for another Civil Air Promotion which he earned over the summer. He’s now reached the rank of Cadet Master Sergeant and this time it was Matt’s turn to pin his rank on. We are so proud of him!
Friday was my day off, and for the first time in forever, both the kids and Matt were at school and work—so I had the day completely to myself. With not much to do at home, I decided to take a solo trip to Lake Constance and check off a few spots I’ve been wanting to visit—places that would probably bore the rest of the family.
My first stop was Birnau Basilica which is a gorgeous Baroque church sitting on a hill above Lake Constance, with views of the lake and the surrounding vineyards. Inside, it’s full of intricate stucco work, gold accents, and colorful ceiling frescoes. I got a late start that morning so arrived just as the noon-time bells were ringing. Whenever I visit German landmarks on weekdays, I always expect to be the only person there and am always surprised when I find a place packed. I could barely find a parking spot since the parking lot was full of cars and busses- Germans really love their culture! I took a few photos of the outside and made my way inside the basilica to find myself in the middle of an active service in honor of German Unity Day.
After Birnau, my next stop was Salem Kloster, about 15 minutes away. We almost visited back in 2023, when we went to the Salem Monkey Mountain, but ran out of time. Lately, I’ve become really interested in the architecture and origins of religious sites (maybe that’s obvious) — sparked by reading Pillars of the Earth last year. I’m also a realist, though, and fully aware that places like this tend to bore my family, so I was glad to finally have the chance to visit.
Salem Kloster, located near Lake Constance, was founded in 1134 by Cistercian monks and grew into one of southern Germany’s wealthiest and most influential monasteries. After a devastating fire in 1697, it was rebuilt in grand Baroque style, with ornate stucco, frescoes, and impressive halls and arcades. Following its secularization in 1802, the complex became a residence for the Margraves of Baden and now houses a museum and one of Germany’s oldest boarding schools.
I timed it perfectly again, arriving just in time to take a guided tour, which is the only way to see certain special rooms. The tour was completely in German so I only understood every other word but was still able to get a decent understanding of what I was seeing.
After the Kloster, I made the two hour drive back to Stuttgart and arrived home in time to meet the kids and Matt who were home from school. The weather was cold and dreary so we had our favorite Thai food take-out and binge watched some Dexter, which Ryan has gotten us in to.
We actually spent most of the weekend hiding from the weather on the couch. A windstorm rolled through, bringing gale-force gusts that occasionally blew open any door or window that wasn’t latched properly. Matt and I did make it out for dinner with some friends on Saturday, but we promptly returned to the couch, where we spent the rest of the weekend marinating. With a busy couple of weeks ahead, we were honestly grateful for the bad weather — it gave us the perfect excuse to slow down and rest.
Gilcrests Abroad 