Minden, Germany

We finally made it near Lübbecke and by now, are quite tired of traveling. I had figured we could stay at the Stellplatz in Bad Essen, about 15km from my host family's place. Turns out, it's parking in a farmer's field with only a 6amp connection and a minimum 20-minute walk to town. Given the weather, we decided to move on the next day.


We ate 20km and moved on to Minden. A free Stellplatz is located just across the bridge from the city. The only "gotcha" here is you have to purchase a chip card from the tourist office in order to connect electricity (50c/kwh) and use water/dump facilities. This being the weekend before Christmas, they had only two 10Euro cards left; which I pursuaded them to sell me... but they were quite reluctant to do give me both. Ordinarily they can readily get new cards from the bank, but apparently the bank had closed early - so there was no ability to recharge or buy new cards until the next morning. Crazy system - we wish they would just put an automate in place. The dump & water station were closed up tight - though as we don't use the chemi toilets, we were able to dump in the normal grate.



Downtown Minden itself is very beautiful. We loved the easy access from our parking spot and the old-world charm (maybe it's the Gluhwein talking?). Our first night in town, Megan and I got lost heading back out of town and I found a second hand shop with a used stroller in the window for 24 Euro. It was as though it was calling out for us personally (we had considered one earlier in October, but at 99Euro++, we agreed we could all walk.) After talking it over with Dan, we went back to town that evening and purchased it. Sophia couldn't be happier!! With Sophia tucked in, we stayed out and enjoyed the beautiful evening. We were warmed by the lights of the Christmas Market and a round of warm beverages for all (Dan and I had yummy Gluhwein, not so yummy Glogg while the kids savored hot chocolate). Everyone was out, friends gathered together in small groups, reconnecting. We could easily see the social aspect of Christmas Markets and enjoying time with good friends. The buildings in the alt stadt (old city) were lit and looked just like gingerbread cookies. What a lovely evening.

Shopping was the primary point of the visit and we wound up missing the lego exhibit and the beautiful church in town. But, shopping was finally done and after spending a night wrapping presents, I was ready for Christmas. Just in the "Nick" of time. =)


For the duration of our stay, weather was mild - though cold and frosty at night. The day we were to leave was another story... it clouded up and started raining in the early hours of the morning. ICE! About 1/4" of ice covered the cobble-stone. Turning out of the parking space would not be an option as we wouldn't have enough traction to turn... and Dan didn't like the prospect of sliding backwards, out of control. For a while we thought we might not be leaving... but once the motorhome in front of us moved on, we had the space to pull straight forward and make the turn on gravel.



Quick pic of downtown Minden - all decked out for the holidays:







The coolest Gluhwein stand - though not the tastiest. They had cool commerative cups - of which we purchased 2 from 2007.






View from the pedestrian bridge connecting the stellplatz with the city.