Mary Flaig's Blog

My Father's birthday is coming up...I'm thinking of him and his roots in the Black Forest of Germany. It's an area in the Southwestern region, known for its highlands, scenery and woods--it's main industry is tourism. Mountain biking and cross country skiing are very popular. Baden-Baden, renowned as a health spa town, is known as the "gateway" to the Black Forest. Health resorts are dotted all over the area, whose thermal springs have been prized since Roman times.

Wood carving is a traditional cottage industry--cuckoo clocks have been made since the 17th century...Black Forest ham and cake originated there, as well.

I didn't realize, until recently, that the area has a rich mythological landscape, haunted by werewolves, sorcerers, witches and the devil, in different guises. Helpful dwarves try to balance the scale. The forest is dense and dark--it would be easy to conjure up all kinds of imaginings...

Waterways like the Danube, Lake Constance and numerous waterfalls, medieval architecture and vineyards add to the enchantment of the area...my Dad was from a village that had a storybook quality...I'm so glad I was able to visit it with him...