From the Frog Prince - or the French on the Trail

Admittedly, sometimes we don't know exactly what to expect when we set off on a new adventure.

Our expeditions may be pocket-sized, as Mrs. Kati always says, but for me, the wilderness begins right after the front door.

This time Wirsberg is our destination. Specifically, the French there, or rather their mysterious paths in the forest.

They even have their own trail marking dedicated to them, this could be exciting.

First, we turn sharply right onto a steep path, no sign of the French, but the scent of deer for me and a blue church for Mrs. Kati.

We can go there when it's raining, she says, and I have to walk close to her now, because we are polite to the animals of the forest.

The first resting bench is right there, but we have curiosity in our luggage and prefer to follow the path.

Lush moss green suits me incredibly well, Mrs. Kati thinks, I'm more interested in the variety of scents on this cuddly rock companion.

We feel completely at home here. We are amazed when the nice tree giant offers us a cute little house.

But wait, the owner is even at home, he must be a Frenchman!

We continue steeply uphill before we reverently catch sight of a birch family, which majestically lingers above on a clearing.

Subtly to the left some meters away, there is actually a nature toilet. The birch family, probably immigrated from France, has settled here very elegantly.

Mrs. Kati takes a deep breath because of the wonderful breeze on the path towards the sky. I definitely catch a scent of a hare. How exciting! When I calm down, Frau Kati says, I can take a closer look at the trail.

While I try to do that by meditatively looking at Wirsberg, which is located far below in the valley, I hear a squeak.

Was that a lost Frenchman? No, Mrs. Kati has discovered the Frog Prince.

Poor thing, no well in sight. That's why he looked so dried up, I ponder.

As we wander over lush meadows with a view into the distance, Mrs. Kati muses about what it's like to feel like God in France.

When I hear the command to search for the mouse, I feel the same way immediately!

Of course, we let the mice live, but digging a small hole is one of my favorite activities!

Now we go downhill back into the forest. A rare natural monument welcomes us at the entrance to the woods, it must have left a lot of shavings behind, standing there without bark.

We find them right away on the other side, with friendly yellow accessories! Once again, it shows that the French have style.

The wide path now snakes back down as a narrow trail. Here you have the agony of choice.

Go left and enjoy the viewpoint or go right towards the striking rocks slowly into the valley?

Due to our limited time, we decide for the valley, where we will be accompanied by the sound of the wild river from now on.

Here it's all about moving forward in single file, the path is narrow and rocky.

Fortunately, our pace is leisurely, so I can examine every rock and some branches as I pass by.

Nose ahead, so to speak.

Today, Mrs. Kati and I agree again - the French have a good sense of building sites, beautiful views, fashion, art, and of course, any scent.

A worthy conclusion to our round is provided by a fluffy moss bed, which offers enough space for both of us, along with a final view of the bathing oasis in the valley.