Mainau

For Memorial Day weekend, I talked the family into driving to the border of Germany and Switzerland to visit the island of Mainau.  It is on the Bodensee Lake which lays across both borders.

On the way down, we took a detour into the black forest, first because it is a beautiful drive, and second, because my cuckoo clock needed repaired.  Here is a picture of McKenna and I at our hotel.  The lake is behind us, just over the far hill.

 The girls are playing on the . . . I have no idea what it is. . . is it a play-set?  A lame attempt at an Alice and Wonderland experience?  Whatever it was, it was in our backyard.

So Mainau is an island on a small lake.  The drive to the island is so amazing, so beautiful.  We basically couldn't have scheduled a day with better weather.  Since it was also a German holiday, the site was busy, but no so much that we felt crowded or had to wait in lines.

Mainau is privately owned by a family.  The entrance price was a little steep, but it was worth it.  The island is in pristine shape, and well cared for.  You can feel how important it is to them.  They have thought of everything so that all ages are entertained, from infants to the elderly.

We started on the playground so the girls could burn off some energy.

Next up, the petting zoo.  McKenna was in her zone, Bailey . . . not so much.

The following are just random shots from the day as we walked all over the island.

Birdhouse lane . . .

The dahlia's were on fire that weekend.  They get their own piece of the blooming calendar apart from all other summer varieties.  There is a reason for it . . . no other flower can compete with these divas.  They are just a burst of beauty!  Layers and layers of petals with deep rich color.  I. love. dahlia's!

McKenna hangin' with the lemon, lime AND orange trees.

Our next stop was the butterfly house, or as they say in Germany, the schmetterling haus.  We definitely like saying "schmetterling haus" way better, it is a word that tickles your tongue.  McKenna made friends with this big bad boy.  Never have we seen a butterfly so big.  But, he was also old, his wings were tattered and torn and he had no interest in spending energy flying.  He was content to ride on the hands of giddy little children and get passed from one to the next.

Mark even found a schmetterling buddy:

Memorial Day was also a special day for Mark, it was his birthday!!!  Instead of cake, we bought ice cream to celebrate.  Plus, we had a lovely lunch at the cafe on the island.

To round out a perfect day, McKenna finally got her pony ride!

Tchuss!

I must say, the girls were not happy to learn we were going on a trip that weekend.  I failed to mention this to them until the night before.  Bailey, with hands on her hips says to me, "I am SO sick of traveling!"  What?! the?!  But, when all was said and done (especially because she got 6-7 hours of hang time with her beloved iPod) she was glad we went . . . at least that is what she told me.  Bailey, you better get ready, we are not finished yet!