Day 12: Smoked Beer in Bamberg.

So far the most challenging part of driving has been the GPS. We had to return to the counter multiple times for tech support before we left this morning. They gave us instructions for a different unit. Bill eventually took a picture of what was in the car and took that to the counter, whereupon they called for someone to help us. Now that it’s been set to English (through some black magic process that involved the steering wheel rather than the navigation unit), it’s still kind of annoying, but usable.

Driving.

As soon as we got out of Munich, we hit construction. Where there had been an accident. And it was raining. Once we got past that first bit of construction, though, there wasn't anything too bad. We hit a few more construction zones, but none of them at the dead halt of that first one.

I honestly have no idea how anyone would have found anything here prior to GPS. I sure wouldn't have tried turning down some of these narrow alleys if not prompted. True to his word, the address took us right to my grandfather’s front door. They’re about to move out of this riverfront apartment in the small town of Volkach. We picked him up and drove to Bamberg with only a few detours. We had read that parking was rough, but on Sundays you can park at the Dom. When we got there, several cars were parked, but some spaces were still available.

The Dom in Bamberg

Our entire plan for Bamberg was “try some smoked beer.” This has been on Bill’s to-do list since David Griner told us about it after he and his wife had passed through by train. We had a good lunch at a small café that served smoked beer. Just down these stairs from the Dom.

Oh, good. Stairs.

Bill enjoying his smoked beer.

I got the slightly less smoky version.

Then we wandered around the town for a while. Sunday most shops are closed, so we’re just admiring the architectural details and the river.

This is a cute city.

Right on the water.

With several pedestrian bridges.

We see a building that looks like a brewery and wind our way to its entrance. Turns out to be the oldest brewery in town.

The oldest brewery in Bamberg.

Which doesn't do smoked beer.

They don’t do smoked beer, but the brown beer they have is still pretty good.

After that, we make our way back to the car to find that apparently at some point there stops being parking on Sundays, and we have passed that point. My grandfather thinks this ticket is pretty high. While it seems in line with Chicago parking prices, it’s still less than we saw someone getting fined on the train this morning for not having a ticket.

On the way back, we get a call suggesting a dinner location in another town, Grettstadt. The food at Staub’s is cheap, plentiful, and quite good.

Back at the apartment, we’re spending the evening enjoying the river view and the fireplace.

Our view.