MAGIC

Magically, April has disappeared. And magically, memories of our European vacation have taken it's place.

If I could bottle up a feeling, it would be the exact moment our Rhine River cruise began—standing together in Amsterdam, wide-eyed and giddy, knowing we were about to drift through some of the most storybook scenery in Europe. It was me, Scott, Ian, and Alicia—our crazy crew ready for big adventure.

Off we go! Into the wild blue yonder!
Scott, Alicia, Ian and Me

Amsterdam welcomed us with its charming canals and that buzz of history-meets-modern-life energy. We didn't do much in Amsterdam because it was so cold, but we did get a stroop waffle. YUM! 

Our home for 7 days!

Then we made it to our boat, the Viking Mani. It didn’t take long before we were off to one of the most surreal sights of the trip: the windmills of Kinderdijk. I mean, pictures don’t even come close. These towering, graceful windmills looked like they were pulled straight out of a painting. Add in a Gouda cheese tour (yes, samples were involved), and it felt like we had officially stepped into a European dream.

Scott took this AMAZING photo!

We couldn't be happier!

"The Cats in the Cradle" is from Kinderdijk.

Saint Elizabeth's Flood of 1421 drowned up to 10,000 people. 

The following day, an infant girl was found drifting in a crib. 

The baby had remained afloat by the tireless efforts of a cat 

jumping back and forth to keep the cradle balanced.

This cheese was REALLY heavy.

We actually witnessed this little calf being born.

Then came Cologne, Germany—and wow. The cathedral. There’s no way to prepare for it. You turn a corner and suddenly it’s just there, towering and intricate and ancient beyond comprehension. We stood there, craning our necks, trying to take it all in, feeling both very small and very lucky.

The first cathedral we saw on our trip.
Definitely not the last.

Yes, Lindt chocolate is located right here!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

The statues and spires were really more incredible in person.

Our besties!

Koblenz brought a completely different kind of magic—a massive fortress overlooking the Rhine, steeped in history and stories. Our guide, clearly enjoying himself, dropped the unforgettable line:
“English blood is thicker than German beer.” I'm not entirely sure what it meant… but I am definitely still laughing about it.

Our "English" guide

This place was ENORMOUS

I mean really MASSIVE

Our gondola ride down from the fortress.

Apparently Ian doesn't like riding on wires. Ha ha ha!

And then—the Rhine itself. Morgan, our cruise director, narrated for almost two hours as we floated  along a section of the Rhine that felt like gliding through a fairytale. Castle after castle appeared along the hillsides, each one more enchanting than the last. We lost count somewhere after “dozens,” but honestly, who’s counting when every turn feels like a postcard? Scott and Ian took so many pictures that together they had over 2000! (I think.)

Morgan

Morgan told us that if we don't remember the name of each castle,
we could just take any word and add "stein" to the end if it.

This is Boise-stein.  Ha ha ha!

Isn't this man good lookin'?
Even when he "forgot" his rasor.

Lovin' the sunshine!

Lovin' the sights!

Lovin' the company!

Strasbourg, France added a whole new flavor to the journey—literally and figuratively. Cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and that perfect blend of French and German culture made it feel cozy and elegant all at once.

I was so excited to see a farmer's market.

Complete with mushrooms!

Half-timbered Homes

ABC (Another Bloody Cathedral)

And just when we thought it couldn’t get more magical, the Black Forest proved us wrong. The trees really are that green—so deep and rich they almost look black. (Hence, the name: Black Forest.) We watched glass blowing, admired intricate cuckoo clocks, and soaked in the beauty of a place that feels both peaceful and mysterious.

This felt like an enchanted forest

Ohan, Anita, Scott, Me, Alicia, Ian

So incredible!

This house is an actual working cuckoo clock.

The characters on top move and dance on the hour.

Finally, we ended in Basel, Switzerland—our grand finale. By then, our (Ian and Scott's) camera rolls were full, our hearts were fuller, and we had that bittersweet feeling of an adventure coming to a close.

My favorite person in the world: Scott!

One of the most unexpected gifts of the trip was the people we met along the way. There’s something about being on a cruise that turns strangers into fast friends. We especially loved getting to know Ohan and Anita, who were originally from Baghdad and now live in Canada. Their stories, warmth, and easy laughter made every conversation feel like a highlight of the day—I truly hope they become lifelong friends. And then there were Adam and Ana, who took care of us at every meal. They didn’t just serve food—they brought joy to the table. They laughed with us, remembered the little things, and made us feel genuinely cared for. By the end, it felt like saying goodbye to friends, not just staff.

Alicia, Me, Scott, Ian, Ohan, Anita

Adam

Ana

What made the trip truly unforgettable wasn’t just the places—it was us. The laughter, the shared inside jokes, the awe-filled moments, and yes, even the occasional “wait, where are we going?” moments. Traveling with Ian and Alicia turned an incredible itinerary into something deeply meaningful.

If magic exists, I’m pretty sure we found it… floating down the Rhine.

But wait! There's more! Our trip wasn't through. I'll write about Switzerland and Italy later.