What? Another Castle in Heidelberg?

Theo's obsession with castles is growing. Dan and I try to deny it, but it seems he doesn't want to go anywhere if there isn't a castle!

Luckily we are headed to Heidelberg. Located on the Neckar River, the city boasts 160,000 residents, a quarter of whom are students who attend Heidelberg University, Germany's oldest university, circa 1386.

So many students centered in one place gives the town a kind of energy. Young people are everywhere. And most, I assume, are interested in Heidelberg's rich historic past. A Celtic fortress was built in the town in the 5th century BC. The Romans (of course) built a wooden bridge and lived there from 40 AD to 260 AD. In 1907, one of the earliest human artifacts--a jawbone--was discovered in Heidelberg. 

Dan and I make sure Theo is aware of all these facts, but truthfully, he wants to see the castle. We warn him ahead of time--so many wars over the centuries have taken its toll on Heidelberg Castle. It is now in ruins. No one lives there anymore. It's a relic of the past.

But, it's still magnificent. Even I have to admit that. We get our first, second, and then third glimpse of this magnificent structure. 

Theo bounds along as if drawn by a Greek siren. We can't hear the call, but he seems determined to get up close and personal to the castle. He wants to sniff, of course. He wants to jump up and walk along the wall. We know his routine by now. 

"Theo, look down."

He glances at me as if I'm crazy.

"You're missing the best part. Look down. The view."

Finally, he sees where I'm pointing. 

He stares for a moment. Can he even see the view? How good is his eyesight anyway?

I realize that when we travel along--and see these castles--what I value is not often what Theo values. He has special gifts--that unique ability to sniff and pick up clues about the past. 

I can only see what's here now. He can see what came before. You've got to love cats!