And why, you ask, would anyone name a city Pig Crossing???!!!

Yep, that's what we asked ourselves! Schweinfurt lies about 1/2 hour from Wurzburg, and, sure enough, Schweinfurt means Pig Crossing! We called this home for two weeks while we looked for apartments in WB. Apparently there was an area where a river was shallow enough that pigs could cross, thus the name!! I'm not sure that's the whole story, but I'm not too interested in researching it further!!

Here we have the Rathaus, which is really beautiful. The typical open square fronts the building and is used as the weekly marketplace where the farmers bring their produce, flowers, etc. And, of course, you find your bratwurst vendors!!

Below, however, we will show you the real reason it's called Pig Crossing---and these are only a few examples. We're told there are many more throughout the city. The city really lives up to its name!

Welcome to the Texicana Restaurant...

McDonalds...

???

Plus a special rear shot...

No, these aren't the three little pigs, just three guys who wanted their pictures taken! From left to right we have Christian, Rubin, and Friedrich. They were fun!

I hope this little lady gets to wear a coat in the wintertime...

This is the #1 Volkswagen dealer in Schweinfurt...

And this lucky guy gets to sit down on the job...

This is our Schweinfurt high-rise. We were on the 19th floor of 24 floors. I've decided I'm not high-rise kind 'a gal, but it did offer a splendid view, as you will see below! Looking up...

Looking down...

Looking out...You will notice the foresty area near the horizon. That's a great place for long walks. Just as the farmers make walking paths through their fields, the state makes walking paths through the forest areas, offering what seems like hundreds of paths going in every direction. You feel like you're miles from any "city life," when in reality it's only about 15 minutes from you in almost any direction.

These were just two pictures of a beautiful sunset. Love the sun rays!

...

Dad and I painted a self-portrait! Just kidding...it's just a way of keeping a path clear of cars. We felt a strong resemblance, though!

And, last but not least...the "Leash Law"!! There is a wonderful Wild Park just across the street from our apartment which is a humongous version of Willow Park. It also has a forested area with wonderful walking paths, as well as deer, elk, lynx, birds, etc., to keep you company as you walk. It also has a fun water area for kids to cool down in, with slides and shallow pools and a few really creative "toys." There is a huge wooden moose that makes a great jungle gym, a monstrously long 7-9 inch diameter rope that is supported every 4-5 feet with long chains and swings long ways (not front-to-back like a regular swing) for 10-20 feet back and forth. Kids either sit or stand on that and get it really swinging. It's probably one of the most popular of the toys. Anyhow, it's a great place for picnics and a leisurely afternoon (or morning) of reading and relaxing, and it's always crowded and filled with laughter and squeals. It fits all ages from baby strollers to grandma walkers! But...the rule: You must keep your pets (from elephants to tigers) on a leash!

We understand there is another fun pig somewhere in the Wild Park who apparently has a pile of "pearls" sitting before him--wish we could have found him to add to our pictures! I wonder who "cast" them at him!!

The ward in Schweinfurt is about half German, half American (soldier families), and it meets on the fourth floor above the city's casino! They've made the church part of the building really beautiful, though, and the parking terrace and elevator allow you to completely skip the casino! At least the Young Men wouldn't have to go to the donut shop if they decided to skip class--their entertainment would just be two floors down!!

Love to you all!