Altenahr! Grandpa you were right.

Altenahr 100 years ago

Our hotel in Altenahr

Jeff and Rufus at the hotel in Altenahr

Mr. Fehr here, on December 15th, 1918 my grandfather wrote the following, ” going to Altenahr. This is a summer resort, very picturesque scenery. Fairly good town situated on the the river Ahr.” Ever since we started this adventure I had this day circled as one of the most important personally. Following the Armistice in November of 1918 during WWI, my grandfathers unit, the 117th Ammunition Train part of the 42nd Rainbow Division, occupied this “picturesque” town from December 1918 to April 1919. For the past two years I have studied this town, its history, from the ruins of the Castle Ahr situated above the town, to the photos of my grandfather with his unit next to the large rock outcroppings near the two tunnels leading out of town. I have been infatuated with this town for a very long time.  It’s hard to believe that we are finally here. I got kind of emotional thinking about my 21 year old grandfather, being so far from home without his  family and his new bride, my grandmother. I guess you can say this was very personal. Check out the photo of Rufus and Mr. Fehr as they gaze in wide wonder across the River Ahr from