Before we headed to that hillside on Saturday — for the cake, the coffee and the goat-gazing — we went to a place called Wimsener Höhle: Wimsener Cave. It’s a small cave that’s noteworthy in that it’s the only cave in Germany that you visit by boat.
I know, you’re wondering why you would want to visit a cave by boat. It’s not the most obvious kind of tourist activity that I can think of, actually. But it was interesting in that the water in the bottom of the cave was crystal clear – you could see down through the depths of the water to the stone cavern below. Inside there was also a barge set up where the guide seemed to be saying that the conditions (temperature, air, etc) are considered perfect for storing Christmas stollen pastries. So, each autumn a bakery actually uses the barge inside the cave for that.
I have a note to myself to figure out where that’s sold when the time comes, so that I can see if it’s truly better than stollen made and stored in more conventional places. Dedicated to my research, that’s me.
Now, I didn’t take any photos while we were inside the cave on the little 10-seater boat. As Chris commented, it was better not to rock the boat. Literally – you see, it was a row-boat like boat, not a bigger craft, and there definitely were moments when we rocked (gently) from side-to-side in interesting ways as we were dodging the stalactites (that come down from the ceiling).
However, I did take a number of photos of the surrounding area, which included a little stream filled with really long bright green grasses submerged under the water. And also filled with trout. We ate at a restaurant opposite the entrance to the cave that is in fact noted for its trout dishes (which was delicious, BTW). The trout were not as cooperatively photogenic as the goats were on that hillside later on, but a couple of other goats near the cave did manage to make it into my photos. Plus, lots of trees, plants and reflections. The colors in the stream, etc. are all original, not enhanced of changed. The mix of bright sunlight and greens and blues in the reflections gave the atmosphere almost a surreal sense. So, you won’t be surprised that I did take the liberty of flipping some on their sides, just to enhance that other-worldly effect.
See what you think.
i am so impressed with these impressionistic paintings. I mean photos. Breath taking. Maybe it is a good thing that I haven’t been on your web page as the growth and sensitivity that you always maintain, has become for me a deeper emotional experience. the colors you are capturing are splendiferous! Im not really a fan of that big word, but I needed to use something different. Stellar is also a good one. I am thinking that I need to get a word that means, ‘out of this world.’ As that too would be good to use here. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kathy – glad you enjoyed the photos, and also that they successfully conveyed that sense of impressionist-inspired “other-worldly” quality that I wanted to capture. I’m not quite sure the right word to describe that feeling – ethereal isn’t quite right.