All Aboard and “Cast Off” for a Day Trip on the Rhine

This outing remains a cherished memory and still brings a smile to everyone’s face today. For 25 residents of the EVIM Gertrud-Bucher-Haus and 8 day guests from EVIM in Rennerod, the boat trip from Vallendar made a dream come true. A break from the daily routine and straight into the fun! With walkers and wheelchairs in tow, they first boarded a specially chartered bus. What sounds so simple actually required an enormous amount of preparation. “It wasn’t easy at all to find a suitable bus company that could safely transport so many passengers with limited mobility,” says facility director Judith Hommrich, who had been working on the planning and organization with her team and the facility advisory board since January. Many other details had to be taken into account so that the excursion participants could enjoy the boat tour. First-aid kits, medications, snacks, and clothing—all of this filled a large handcart that was wheeled across the landing stage.

A Stunning Rhine Setting

Full of anticipation, a little excited, and eager to see what was in store, the guests—accompanied by numerous volunteers—boarded the Augusta, operated by Gilles Schifffahrt. “The trip first took us a short way along the Rhine to the ‘Deutsches Eck’ in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle meet,” says Judith Hommrich, describing the breathtakingly beautiful itinerary. After a brief detour on the Moselle with a view of Koblenz’s Old Town, the journey continued past Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and under the cable car that crosses the Rhine. After passing Koblenz Castle, the guests saw the wine village in Koblenz and the Koblenz Brewery (formerly the Königsbacher Brewery) glide by. Stolzenfels Castle and Marksburg Castle rounded out the “Castle Catwalk.” And time and again, the vineyards delighted everyone in the beautiful weather. Filming wrapped up just before Boppard, and the group headed back to Vallendar.

Happy Times Together

The trip was entertaining, featuring a small accompanying program, lunch, and, of course, coffee and cake. One family member was delighted that his mother recognized many things she hadn’t seen in what “felt like decades.” Another resident, over ninety years old, was also happy to be able to join the trip after a hospital stay. Another resident enjoyed what was essentially a family outing with her son and grandson. And one couple never would have imagined they’d get to experience this lovely outing together. The tour will now live on in their memories thanks to the photos the facility’s management gave to the residents.

“Despite all the hard work and effort, it was a great day,” says Judith Hommrich happily. “The care staff did a fantastic job!” She specifically thanked residential unit manager Nadine Betz for her dedication. The family members, volunteers, and residents who joined the trip also appreciated this. Spontaneously, they grabbed the onboard microphone and thanked the staff in a lighthearted way for their fantastic efforts and the “really great day out of the four walls of the nursing home.”

This was also made possible by generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and a team that worked hand in hand to ensure that everyone could enjoy a happy time together. (hk/jh)