Obernai

Friday September 7, 2007

OK. So that was the most difficult first day drive we’ve ever done on a trip to Europe and it wasn’t because of bad roads or intense traffic. Whether it was lack of sleep on the plane, leaving home in an exhausted state, or just the fact that I’m getting to be an old fart, but I had a lot of trouble staying awake on the 450 km principally autoroute – which means high speed – roads from Paris to Obernai. Dennis gave me a couple of gentle reminders to stay on the road. Our new little Kangoo is great, but it doesn’t drive itself.
Obernai was its usual bustling self. There was a biological fair going on – which translated into good food and Alsace wine – and it filled the main square opposite our hotel. After a power nap to ward off some of the jet lag, we wandered about town, once again reveling in the amazing architecture in the 400-600 year old buildings in the heart of the old town. We had a fairly early dinner at La Halle des Bles, right on the main square and then took a walk around the gothic cathedral. We called it a night fairly early so we could get a good sleep and be ready for our journeys tomorrow to Ribeauville, Auberge de L’Ill (***) for lunch and the wine route to follow.