My Grandpa (Opa), Karl Brenner, brought his wife and two young daughters to America in 1956. He was a newspaper manager, and came to a country where he would have to completely start over and learn a new language. Today after my review, I hopped on a train and rode to the village where he was born and is currently buried. When he died in 1988, my Grandma (Oma) took his ashes back to Ellwangen. I was in Ellwangen with my Oma in 1998, but I wanted to go back and pay my respects.

I arrived Friday night after a 3.5 hour train ride from Munich. Initially I was only going to spend one night in Ellwangen, but once I got there I was just so moved and decided to stay an extra night. I'm staying at the Roter Ochsen Braueri Gasthof. It's a great little hotel that is associated with Ellwangen's brewery. 

After I checked in, I went to visit Opa's grave, walked around a bit, and then went back to the hotel for as amazing dinner and beers. Dinner was followed by another little walk, and then watching competitive darts on the German sports network in my room.