The Fall has Beautifully Fallen

All around we are finding the sure signs of Fall having arrived this September. Of course, first we began seeing the green-leafed trees begin to change into gorgeous, bright colors!

Across from Our 3rd Floor Window 

I walked up and down our wonderful Hainichiner Strasse to part of the "Ring Strasse" - Leipziger Strasse - before finding this beautiful example right out our third-floor apartment. I am including some of the other interesting trees of color used for various purposes besides their decorative colors and shade.

Interesting Stone Filled Fencing

It's been so interesting to see the various means of fence building used by our neighbors. A couple of them I've already shown in previous shots. Stones within wire fence construction; tall walls of concrete blocks sometimes with added dirt and beautiful plantings; wrought iron in painted black or forest green reminding me one of our fences at home; brick walls reminding of our brick wall; additionally early plantings at the perimeter of 1-3 year-old homes which we can see surrounding homes close by which have already been there for many more years; prickly rose bush hedges; and finally here's a photo as I returned back up our street - a very high fence planted by a wise homeowner many years ago! Notice all the fiery red soon to be black trees behind the house-high cypress.

Dino Expo XXL in Freiberg

As I continued my long walk all the way down to the busy street looking for these various colorful trees, at one place I was startled as I noticed a very brightly colored sign placed as an advertisement for an upcoming exhibition. It would be especially interesting perhaps to some grandsons I know at home. These ancient beasts are apparently of world-wide intrigue. So fascinating to see how much we have in common as students of all ages. "Dino Expo XXL - Grosse Dinosaur Ausstellung in Freiberg - Giganten der Urzeit jetzt in ihrer Stadt!    Dino Expo XXL - Great Dinosaur Exhibition in Freiberg - Giants from Ancient Times now in your own city!" 

Somehow we didn't make it to the Exhibit - I think we were out of town on the 14th and the 15th. So sorry that I'm not able to make a report on how scientifically these creatures were exhibited. The German people are known for their scientific interest and precise presentations. I'd have to think it would have been fascinating by the looks of the advertisement.

Dietmar and Ilona Harzt

Freiberg is a university city and has been for several centuries - hard for Americans to think in that time sense. Specifically it is a mining university.  Of course you know about the silver mines of pure metal that were originally fought over by many greedy counts and kings. I don't know if there is any connection between the excavating that would have been part of those early times and the studies that would be part of a mining university. Certainly these creatures were around many, many years previous to that and donated their dead bodies to creating great sources of fuel for us generations after their demise. We have a very good friend here in the ward, a Temple worker actually, whose husband has been a mining expert and university professor at the University of Freiberg. I don't know if any of the university work here would have any connection with research involving dinosaurs. I'll have to ask soon. 

Dietmar Harzt (his wife, Ilona, Ward Music Chairwoman) is also shone in this photo taken when we were invited to their home for a Christmas luncheon. This mining expert recently took us on an expedition looking into mining buildings, shafts and other remnants from the early mining done all around the Erzgebirge area. We had a summary of many of the historic buildings and their locations. Dietmar began by showing us maps of the area, Reinsberg, and ended by taking us to a wonderful site showing the buildings as well as the various means used to slope the water needed for the mining work above and underground.

Model of the Castle, Moat and Mining Depth

"Mining holes" were used to sight where the tunnels underground were to meet moving water from the original mountain areas. Fascinating to imagine how all of this was accomplished in the those times. They could find each other digging tunnels coming from different directions and 

Marker for Trenches

needing to meet so deep underground!

This is the first time I noticed the symbols so universally accepted as the Freiberg symbols - a hammer and anvil. They are seen everywhere usually along with the words: "Glück Auf!" As the miners went down so far below the earth each day they met, prayed, sang and wished each other "Good Luck."

The hike was fairly rigorous. Our young Mountain Goat Sister Missionaries were ahead of us the whole way. However, we all managed to arrive for the lovely luncheon arranged for us by Ilona and Dietmar.  We didn't look nearly as cheerful and light-hearted at the beginning of our trip until we were so wonderfully refreshed!

Beginning of the "Mining" Tour

There is an amazing mining museum near the Untermarkt (Undermarket) area - actually interesting that it is in a higher location than the Obermarket (Overmarket) area central to our city.  One day we decided to investigate this museum. My grandfather, originally from Illinois, and his ancestors, originally from England, were miners. Well, all of them except Grandpa Hocking. At the age of around 16 he accompanied his father into the coal mine in Illinois where he worked. When he came up later that day, he said that he would never do that kind of work - good for his lungs and other parts of his body! Back to Freiberg first and the museum next having to do with an amazing mining exhibit.

Preserved Tunneling

One day we went up to visit at the "Old Elizabeth" mine shaft. I wrote earlier about how the miners would gather early in the morning and have a prayer and music time before they went down praying for safety. "Glück Auf" - "Good Luck" is a familiar phrase often seen all over our area on signs, posters, and even building names which I'm sure was part of everyday work life in these perilous Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). I showed Lee Ashby playing an ancient white organ used by the miners. It would be interesting to know who would have been taught to play the organ so long ago - probably one of the Catholic priests assigned to that. Here we saw remains of tunneling kept modern so that people can take tours through the area - of course, hard hats are required.

Within the nearby Bergmuseum we saw amazing historical documentation. There were many models graphically showing those proportionally tiny "ant" men working so far below the earth's surface.