After a very mild winter, some snow in mid-December, and a green Christmas, we finally had our first snow of the year 2012 just yesterday.

Snow in Oberursel/Germany

This path leads up to our home. Some of these trees are protected by German law, because they provide nesting sites for wild birds.

Any kind of traffic in this area is foot traffic and therefore the snow usually stays white (except for the occasional yellow discoloration). Germans love their dogs, too.

Now the weather news tell us there is a Siberian cold front moving into Eastern Europe and it might move on to Germany. I just love the photo web. de provided. We can expect temperatures as low as – 25°C (- 13 F) in the next few days.

If you are a regular reader, you might already know I love winter and snow.

But if you are new and wondering about my sanity, in regards to my affinity for winter, then rest reassured. As a German, I just love the frische Luft in winter time.

For anybody ever stationed at Camp King Oberursel, there is a reunion scheduled for 13 – 16 July 2012.

To learn more about it, visit the group Camp King Oberursel Reunion on Facebook.

I am glad to hear this is happening!

Mountain Lodge/Officers' Club at Camp King

Thanks to AllThingsGerman for pointing out this event!

Starting the first week in January 2012, the Verkehrsverband Hochtaunus (VHT) has added additional buses between Oberursel-Hohemark (transfer station for U3 to Frankfurt) and the Feldberg.

On Sundays and public holidays: The first bus leaves Oberursel-Hohemark at 9:36 and between 10:36 and 17:36, the bus runs every 30 minutes stopping in Sandplacken, Oberreifenberg, Niederreifenberg on its way to the Feldbergplateau.

The last buses leave the Feldberg at 17:34, 18:04 and 19:04.

On workdays: With fewer passengers to be expected, the buses run only every 60 minutes. The last buses leave the Feldberg at 17:34 and 19:04.

For more information, please visit the VHT website for their regular updates. This schedule will change again once skiing season is over.

Not much happening in terms of snow right now, not even on the Feldberg. German weather update at Wetter Kleiner Feldberg.

I passed only two people in the woods this morning; it has been rather cold, moist and foggy.

Oberursel forest in autumn

Oberursel forest, near the Tierheim

Oberursel forest

Some vandals marked the bench and there’s a bit of forester’s work left to do yet, but …

The greatest step is out the door.

- German proverb -

Most Christmas markets start on the First Advent, 27 November 2011.

The big town markets run for four weeks all the way up to Christmas Eve, whereas the small towns usually have it for a few days only (Thu – Sun) only.  Our local town of Oberursel/Taunus has its market running from 24 – 27 November 2011.

Plan your Christmas market hopping with the help of this excellent website List of German Christmas Markets 2011.

If you are not in Germany, then enjoy this armchair travel to the Frankfurt Christmas market.

Glühwein – Lebkuchen – Schnee – Lichter – Tannenbaum …