Day Four: Baden Baden

Baden Baden means Bathing Bathing in German. That is what we did and loved it. Natural hot spring water is abundant in this area. Long ago, when Hitler came across these waters, he thought it had no use. He was open to find minerals and metals that could be used for war.

But the Romans thought differently and built their bath houses. Today there were two spas to choose from.  One was nude. One was with a bathing suit. We chose the later!

This spa had an outdoor pool, which was about 85 degrees. Several small hot pools surrounded this pool. Inside was a large, very warm pool, with smaller hot pools around it.  The degrees varied from pool to pool and I had a great time checking them all out. What a joy to take a break from all the walking and just soak in the warm water. I felt the joy and warmth of God’s love.

How do you feel the warmth of God’s love?

Earlier on a walking tour, the guide showed us a famous hotel where many celebrities and political officials have stayed. One room costs 1,000 euros, which is 1,137 dollars. The rooms increase in price up to 50,000 euros for the most expensive room. Why?  Because it is bulletproof. Mmm…I wondered who stayed there.

Today we celebrated our 40^th Wedding Anniversary. Our first cruise was our 10^th. We were on an older ship, with a tiny room and a queen-size bed. The bathroom was so small that the cruise director told us not to bend over in the shower to pick up the soap because our ass would be in the hallway.  We didn’t care because we were young, active, and had so much fun.

On our 20^th anniversary, we took another cruise, only this time we splurged and got a suite.

We sat with the cruise director one evening, and he said more volunteers are needed for the talent show, so I volunteered Ron to sing who has this beautiful baritone voice. He was so mad at me. I joke today that we almost got a divorce. But he did it and sang Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. The audience engaged loudly, singing along, “Bom Bom Bom” and “So good, so good, so good.” Although he wasn’t happy about performing then, he is glad today and still sings this song in the band he is part of.

Here we are, celebrating our anniversary with some good local French champagne.

Much slower than we were 30 years ago on our first cruise. But still happily together. People ask the secret to a long marriage. Commitment to Christ, commitment to each other, DWELL on the positive, let go of the negative, do not nitpick each other, support each other’s dreams, communicate, and have fun!