Yesterday morning we got up early and drove to Gutach and the Schwarzwald FreilichtMuseum located in the Black Forest. The museum is basically a farm where many 17th century black forest farmhouses have been moved and preserved. The houses are huge since the entire farm was under one roof. It was interesting to see how they were built and the tools used to build them. Since these farms are in and depended on the forest, several of them has saw mills. One sawmill had been operated for 300 years. Another house had housed 19 generations of the same family.

After petting the animals and touring the houses we went down the road to Triburg to see the Biggest old Cuckoo Clock in the world. The Cuckoo was not that impressive but all the wooden gears that drive the clock were interesting to me.

We actually have a larger Cuckoo clock right outside our bedroom window but this one is not old.

When someone asks you what the best amusement park is for a 2 year old you would probably say something about the land of the mouse. I think Spieleland has all those parks beat. Where else can you drive a tractor, race firetrucks and dig holes with a powered excavator? Spieleland has all of that and much more that a 2 year old wants to do. 

3rd M drove the tractors 4 times. We only went on the excavators once despite my pleading. 

It was raining on and off all day so the crowds and lines were nonexistent.

The airplane was probably 3rd M’s 4th favorite attraction although he spent a lot of time in the pilots seat.

In the gift shop 3rd M found the trainset to play with. That gave us a lot of time to see what else was for sale. After exploring the puzzle section for a little bit I stumbled upon the biggest puzzle I have ever seen. It is 40,320 pieces. The box was taller than 3rd M and bigger than our suitcase. The box should have had wheels on it just to get it out of the store. I think we should have a family reunion just to do this puzzle.

On Sunday morning we got moving early to go to the island of Mainau. We took the ferry across lake Bodensee to Konstanz where we caught the bus to the entrance of the island. It was a beautiful day and we purposefully left early to beat the crowds. We headed straight to the butterfly garden. 

After all the butterflys we ran around several old redwood trees MANY times. I just wish 3rd M would follow the trail with the same enthusiasm.

We then spent several hours exploring the island and having lunch before getting to the best part, the playground and the petting zoo.

I was having such a good time I forgot to take more pictures.

On the way back we took the bus into Konstanz, a gorgeous old city on the shores of the Bodensee and divided by the Rhine River.

We have all been there. You have a new toy and it is the best thing in the world… then it is gone!

Usually the best part of a museum has nothing to do with what you came to see. In this case we came to see a reconstructed bronze age settlement built over the water. I would say it was a toss up this time. The tractor out front was great but when the nice lady handed 3rd M the bronze sword the whole audience laughed because of his ear to ear grin.

After all the moving around we have been doing a day at the beach is exactly what we needed. The town beach has all the essentials, sand, water and plenty of space to play.

Step one: Sunscreen

Step two: Find additional construction trucks to play with in the sand

Step three: Go swimming 

Final step: Take off wet bathing suit and run around naked

At least that is what 3rd M wanted to do. We came up with other options besides naked.