King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886) became king at 19, but didn’t have real power. By then, Bavaria had a constitution, and the Parliament worked hard to constrain his authority. So, the shy king resorted to building castles for his own fairytale world. We saw Neuschwanstein Castle a week ago. Today, our hosts brought us to see Herrenchiemsee Palace which was built on an island.

He also commissioned Linderhof Palace. Kenric commented that the king spent a lot of the people’s money on his castles. (I read that he was spending the Royal Family’s money, not state money. He did have to borrow heavily.) Our host commented that any king that didn’t start a war is a good king. He would rather the king spend money on building castles, and fostering craftsmanship and art in Bavaria than sending people to get killed.

We’re staying with Kenric’s family friends in their pride and joy, a 600-year-old farmhouse in Reit im Winkl, Germany. It is the oldest house in the village. The husband is 81, and he enjoys taking care of this huge place. It’s really beautiful, inside and out, like most of you!

I read a headline that Kim Jung-un plans to wipe out the U.S. today. I don’t think that will happen today, but I’m completely wiped. So, “Gute Nacht and sweet dreams!”