| Author | Thread |
|
|
05/04/2008 03:05:54 AM · #1 |
In the US, they're known as "rest stops". I recall them fondly from my youth, though I don't think they have the same flavor they used to. Those places along the interstates where you can pull off and "rest" or take a bathroom break. If so equipped, you can get a cold drink or a snack as well.
In Germany on the Autobahn, they have abundant pull-offs, most very plainly attired with trash cans and perhaps a picnic table, but a nice place to pull of and rest. Like this:
[thumb]675817[/thumb]
And some, like in the US, have gas stations, restaurants, restrooms. But then we came upon this one, outside of Illertissen (I think is the town), on the A7. VERY creative rest stop!
     
Anyone know of any other particularly interesting rest stops?
|
|
|
|
05/04/2008 03:20:56 AM · #2 |
There were a few rest stops that we usually pulled off and used as we made the usual trip to visit family. I would also recomend picking up a navigator or any other car gps system and get off the autobahn. There are some amazing towns and villages you dont get to see otherwise.
Your pictures reminded me of a museum in Sinsheim. Its east of Manheim on A6.
What part of Germany are you in and how long have you been there?
Jon |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 03:21:00 AM · #3 |
Wow Deb, what an interesting find. I have only ever come across the first type when driving around Germany.
I have no examples to share from Finland, other than to say they are like your first picture, only with more trees and possibly a lake :) There's a LOT of trees here! (and a lot of lakes.....) |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 04:20:33 AM · #4 |
| Jon, I'm currently living in Hochheim and working in Mainz-Kastel. The reason I was on the Autobahn was because we were returning from a business trip. I haven't done a lot of driving around on my own (but I do have a Navigon system - can't live without it!) as I prefer to travel by train here. But I'm getting a new car (next week, I hope!) that will be easier to park in Europe (I currently drive a Ford Ranger - teensy in the US but not so small here) and do plan to do a bit more travel by car on the side roads. And we did get off the Autobahn to cut around through part of Austria on our way back. Amazing scenery for the passengers but a bit hard to try to watch when driving! |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 04:38:35 AM · #5 |
| Wacky, wild stuff there, Deb! Not to detract from the great images, but I can't help but wonder who pays for those things - the government or donations/volunteers? Just curious. |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 04:47:56 AM · #6 |
I loved traveling everywhere by train, my wife on the other hand, grew up traveling by train since her father works for de bahn and she lost the enthusiasm for it. We took a road trip through Austria and Switzerland and your right, the landscape was just amazing.
If you havent yet, I would also recomend Zugspitzer, I might have the spelling wrong. Its the highest point in Germany. Another place that I want to visit on my next trip to Germany is the water bridge.
I havent had a chance to see this in person yet //www.funonthenet.in/content/view/223/31/
I saw a few of your pics from Afghanistan, are you a contractor or military? I'm currently at Bagram now. |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 05:51:41 AM · #7 |
| I drove down to Tokyo for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Along the expressway are what are known as PA stops - Parking Areas. Some of them do have wacky statues but not like what you've shown here. They kind of remind me of the variously decorated metro stations in Stockholm. |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 06:24:32 AM · #8 |
| Very cool and I love to see these creative colourful places, it shows that some people do care about beauty and seeing things differently. You must've been very excited to see a place like this out of the blue. I can only imagine what it would look like after a month or so in North America somewhere. Great find. |
|
|
|
05/04/2008 09:57:48 AM · #9 |
Very cool!
...and somewhat related is a good summer read called Blue Highways
If I remember correctly, it was autobiographical...a charming journey along the blue highways of rural America.
Blue highways are the alternative routes from the Interstate and are marked in blue on maps. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/29/2025 02:48:52 AM EDT.
