I can't translate the name "Ries". It is a large almost round crater of about 14 miles diameter. The first theories were that it was created a long time ago by volcanic activities.
Then a new theory came up which says that the crater was formed by the impact of a large meteorite.
In 1960 finally the American geologists Eugene Shoemaker and Edward Chao could bring the required proof for this theory. This impact occurred about 5 million years ago.

As already said, Elizabeth and I liked also to visit this region even without huge mountains and well know lakes.
It was less hectic than other places and sometimes we needed that and we enjoyed the company of friends of mine. We even stayed over night in their places.
Nature was different and the many junipers which we saw amazed Elizabeth.
I told her that their wood is the best one to use for making good smoked pork.
She was not a vegetarian at this time and afterr trying it she agreed. At night she sneaked in the kitchen and used the electric meat slicer. Not being really awake she cut also her finger.
As you can see the houses look different to those which you find in Upper Bavaria and we also realized that customs and culture were different.
I am from Nuremberg in Franconia and everything is different again. But the beer was good everywhere and the Franconia wine is one of the best.