October 14–19, 2026

As the saying goes, “It could have been worse!” However, it was bad enough!

We had enjoyed a fantastic evening in Berlin, watching the spectacular light show projected onto the Brandenburg Gate. Afterward, we finished a delightful meal at an Austrian restaurant and began the short walk back to our hotel. It was dark, and the side street we were walking along was in the midst of major construction. We were laughing and sharing stories as we walked when, all of a sudden, I began to stumble. My foot had become entangled with a black metal support attached to one of the construction barriers. I never saw it!

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Just a few feet ahead of me stood a four-foot-by-four-foot-by-four-foot concrete block, apparently placed to keep vehicles from crossing into the pedestrian area. As I stumbled forward, I passed Nancy, who valiantly tried to keep me from striking my head against the concrete block. She grabbed my jacket, but in doing so, lost her own balance. Suddenly, we both found ourselves flat on the pavement!

You know you have a true friend when she risks her own safety to keep you from getting hurt. Thank you, Nancy!

Nancy had the wind knocked out of her, and I struck the block but landed beside it. Everyone else was aghast, and several wonderful Berliners stopped to help us. Nancy and I simply wanted to lie there for a while and assess the damage to our bodies.

God be praised—no broken bones! Yes, there were bruises and plenty of soreness, but we had escaped something far worse.

We spent the next two days mostly confined to our hotel rooms, recuperating. I must say, Nancy made the most of her situation, sitting in what Tom affectionately called “her Queen’s Chair” and being served to her heart’s content by Tom. I was dizzy and slept much of the time, while Kathy was marvelously attentive and caring.

Thankfully, we are both doing well now, and soon it will be time to return home.

Despite our unfortunate mishap, our time in Berlin has been wonderful. It is a bustling capital city filled with historic landmarks, beautiful architecture, and fascinating places to explore. Since Kathy and I had visited Berlin before, while our friends had not, we chose different activities to make the most of our time.

Tom, Nancy, Randy, and Melisa took the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, while Kathy and I visited three of the five major museums on Museum Island. Seeing the famous bust of Nefertiti was a highlight for us! We all enjoyed our various outings and had plenty to share when we came together again.

We also took a boat tour along the Spree River, which winds through Berlin and was once part of the boundary separating East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Several of us attended the midday prayer service and organ devotional at the majestic Berliner Dom, Berlin’s magnificent Protestant cathedral. Its Renaissance-inspired architecture, enormous Baroque dome, beautiful altar area, and powerful pipe organ make it an impressive sight.

While Nancy and I recuperated—Nancy was very stiff, and I was still experiencing dizziness—Kathy stayed with me to make sure I was all right. Meanwhile, Randy, Melisa, and, at times, Tom (when he wasn’t attending to Nancy) were able to enjoy more of Berlin’s spectacular light shows.

Most importantly, they made a trip to Potsdam, where the Prussian kings and emperors built their magnificent palaces and gardens. They were fortunate to see the trees displaying their full autumn colors, while flowers were still blooming along pristine paths bordered by carefully trimmed hedges. Ornamental garden buildings, elegant colonnades, and other architectural attractions were everywhere.

And then there were the palaces!

Potsdam boasts five major palaces, along with several smaller ones. Our friends especially loved Sanssouci, whose name means “without worries.” Its elaborate Rococo interiors were both lavish and beautiful. The gardens and palace grounds offered a wonderful glimpse into the grandeur of Prussian royal life.

It was a long but delightful day for our friends. By evening, Nancy and I were feeling well enough to join everyone for a meal. We were happy to be together again, sharing stories, reminiscing about our adventures, and giving thanks that our mishap had not been much worse.

Our last day in Berlin was spent walking along the Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s major shopping street. German stores are closed on Sundays; however, restaurants and visitor attractions remain open. So, we walked this beautiful street to get our steps in. I’ve averaged almost five miles of walking a day throughout our five-week adventure!

We also visited the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a massive Lutheran church destroyed during World War II. Part of the original main steeple and the surrounding walls remain as a war memorial. The damaged structure stands as a reminder of the devastation of war, while a modern worship center has been built alongside it.

The new sanctuary is beautiful, with deep blue stained glass extending from floor to ceiling around the entire worship area. Above the altar is a lovely golden image of the risen Christ, and a large pipe organ stands at the rear. Fitting, I think. As in all the churches we have visited, people were sitting in the pews, quietly praying.

We also visited the Berlin Prussian City Palace (Charlottenburg Palace) but decided not to go inside. Our cab driver had pointed out a popular restaurant and bar, Luisenbräuhaus, right next to the palace. We ate a late lunch there and were very pleased with our choice! I finally got to enjoy Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), one of my favorite German meals. It was only the second time I had found it on a menu during this trip!

Unfortunately, Tom and Nancy spent most of the day at the hospital. Nancy was having difficulty moving and needed medical attention. She received immediate care, but the pain medication infusion and the doctor’s visits took some time. After consultation, she was released with additional medication and told to expect steady improvement. And the cost of all this care? $0! Once again, God was good to her and to all of us!

Berlin certainly gave us memories we never anticipated! And while “Splat in Berlin” may not have been the adventure we planned, it will surely be one we remember. Now we part ways after a blessed and beautiful journey through some amazing country in northern and eastern Germany. What a memorable five weeks of exploration, fellowship, and gratitude! We will carry these wonderful memories with us for years to come.

October 10–14, 2026

Kathy and I have returned to Dresden, Germany, many times. It is a city renowned for its cultural life, world-class museums, Baroque beauty, and quiet vibrancy. Over the years, we have watched it steadily rebuild the historic buildings that were reduced to rubble during the devastating bombings of World War II. Today, that remarkable restoration seems nearly complete.

Our hotel was an NH Collection property conveniently located in the Altstadt (Old Town). I had never booked with this hotel chain before, and we were delighted to discover that each couple received a suite. What a pleasant surprise!

Our first event in Dresden was a marvelous concert at the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross), a Lutheran church. The music reverberated beautifully throughout its vast stone-and-concrete interior, beneath the enormous tiers of balconies.

The following day, we were privileged to attend the full German-language Sunday morning service at Dresden’s most recognizable landmark, the magnificent Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), often called the city’s “Stone Bell.” The eye is immediately drawn to the towering white-and-gold sculpted altar, centered on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, with angels attending Him. Five tiers of balconies draw the eye upward toward the Baroque dome, decorated with biblical scenes in soft pinks and blues. From the main floor to the top of the interior dome is an astonishing 220 feet! We especially enjoyed the music of the enormous pipe organ.

We spent hours walking among Dresden’s elegant buildings, admiring their architecture and the intricate sculptures adorning their façades. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, or Dom, is crowned with sculptures of saints encircling its roofline. Across the square stands the famous Semperoper (opera house), adorned with bronze horses and chariots. The Zwinger Palace is equally stunning, with a large black-and-gold crown rising above its walls.

Tom and Nancy, along with Randy and Melisa, visited the famous Green Vault, which houses an extraordinary collection of unusual and opulent works of art. One simply cannot overstate the Baroque charm of Dresden!

We also enjoyed a fun adventure as we set out to find and ride the suspended funicular, which climbs the hillside above the Elbe River, only a mile and a half from our hotel. Another unexpected adventure came when we boarded a bus and enjoyed a two-hour tour through beautiful residential neighborhoods, making what seemed like umpteen stops along the way! We returned to favorite restaurants we had enjoyed on previous visits and savored every morsel.

We also took a wonderful day trip to Leipzig, an emerging European technology center. As the home of Johann Sebastian Bach, the great composer and musician, Leipzig holds a special place in musical history. We enjoyed strolling through its main pedestrian district.

There, we visited St. Nicholas Church, a Lutheran church with a striking pink-and-green Baroque interior. Its enormous pillars, painted in delicate shades of pink and adorned with stucco palm fronds, create intricate patterns that reach toward the lofty ceiling. This church also holds a significant place in modern German history. It was here that the peaceful demonstrations, accompanied by candle-bearing crowds, helped spark the movement that ultimately led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Germany.

We also visited St. Thomas Church, another Lutheran landmark, where J. S. Bach served as music director and composed many of his important works. The church is home to the renowned St. Thomas Boys Choir, whose history spans more than eight centuries, and Bach himself is buried there. Standing in such a historic place, surrounded by the legacy of this extraordinary musician, was a special experience.

The weather throughout our day in Leipzig was outstanding, adding to our enjoyment of this memorable excursion!

Now, on to Berlin!