September 16, 2026 - Wednesday - Day with Fix and Foxi

Another great hotel in Fulda with free breakfast to kick off the day. Today we caught up with Appalachian Trail co-hikers Fix and Foxi (Severin and Ariane). We tried to get a train to their town but it was hard to figure out the connections so Foxi offered to pick us up in Fulda. She arrived with her father and they took us on a beautiful ride through the countryside. We drove to a nearby mountain, where they launch gliders. It was a bit foggy but being from Arizona, it was a treat to see the green meadows and farms and trees surrounded by a little moisture. And a wonderful contrast with all the cities we have been in. Their family has been in the area for many generations which felt a little like our roots in the Northeast as well.

We first stopped at Foxi’s house for coffee and tea and had the chance to meet her two oldest sons. We then drove into Bad Kissingen, a nearby spa town and had lunch there and checked out the beautiful spa town with the healing waters. 

After our time there we traveled 15 minutes away to Foxi’s parents’ home (which has been in the family for a long time), and we met most of the immediate family. We can now see where Fix and Foxi get their great sense of fun and humor. We laughed and wrestled with language a bit but we made it all work out. What wonderful people! 

We had coffee on the back patio with cheesecake and a strudel and got acquainted. Foxi’s father, Winifred,  is an amazing man. He and Foxi’s mother built the house forty-two years ago and they seem to have the knowledge to do anything. They burn wood for heat and I got a tour of the woodpile (a very typical thing to inspect back in my hometown in Vermont) and Winifred showed me his blacksmith shop in the basement. 

Foxi is a cook and she made wonderful goulash soup for supper. I’ve discovered Radler beer which is half beer and half lemon soda. Very light and not much alcohol. 

After dinner we had to say our goodbyes and Fix drove us back to Fulda to our hotel. This was a very enjoyable day spent with these remarkable people.