European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                At left a youngster reacts to a fire breathing dragon atop a miniature Castle at Franki Sches Wunderland. Above a Mother and daughter ride one of the Park s motorized trikes. Below one of the indians who entertain visitors with dances and stunts. Wild West German style Story and photos by Ron Mckinney staff writer buckle up yer Holster and Saddle yer Bronco pardner cuz it s time to round up a posse and Gallop on Over to Kansas City. That s the Kansas City of the wild wild West. West Germany that is. Just outside Plech West Germany a half hour s drive North of Nurnberg on autobahn 9, is the Franki Sches Wunderland a fantasy land for Young tykes who want to play cowboys and indians with real Aztec indians and real us German cowboys. The Beauty of this Wunderland is How it releases the pent up Energy of Young uns. For 8 Marks about $5children from 3 to 14 years old can ravage the land bouncing from the trampoline to the Carousel. Adults pay 11 Marks $7 for admission. There s an extra charge for a few of the children s rides and some of the entertainment. For 1 Mark extra for instance tykes at least 4 years old can zoom around a Small track on motorized trikes a a big hit with youngsters who Aren t intimidated by the Challenge of negotiating curves and Speed. To the left of the Entrance a plastic sled ride invites Little ones and big ones alike to skim Down the Hillside at exhilarating speeds. The Price is merely the Effort of pulling a sled to the starting Point. To find the sled ride just listen for the Roar of the fire breathing dragon a one Critter that not even Wyatt Earp would want to confront a and follow its fumes past the kiddie train ride. Young uns have another Chance to ride the rails. The Bohnhof the train station a Block South of main Street is the boarding Point for a two minute trip around the Hill that provides picturesque scenery including cac uses that even old uns enjoy. The sheriff and his deputies roam the roads of the six acre plot and varmints who commit crimes can be thrown in jail at the sheriff s office. But no big name bandits have been reported in the area since Jesse James was buried at Boot Hill More than 100 years ago. Nearby Are the Graves of Bat Masterson and Quot Frank Mclaury Quot perhaps Lawman Frank Mclean was the Man the undertaker had in mind. As for photo opportunities picture yourself with the noose around your neck at the Lynching tree near the Bohnhof or locked up in jail. If that does t suit your fancy you can always mosey on Over to Rita s photographic studio and get your picture took while wearing real Western duds. Beside the train station Aztec indians have set up Camp. They perform a variety of dances and stunts daily including a Quot Sun dance Quot inside an Cave that seats about 100 people. Other highlights include gunfights horse rides for the Young uns a Winchester Rifle Range at the fort of Golden Colts a Gold mine and a Trail where Rapunzel and Little red Riding Hood hang out. When the tykes Are ready for some grub Wunderland offers three venues a bratwurst and hamburger stand near the Entrance Mary s cafeteria and the Billy Blue Saloon plus various ice Cream stands. The Saloon is the pick of the crop offering Bonanza schnitzel prarie Steak Mexicana Steak Buffalo Bill Steak and Mississippi Steak at reasonable prices. Children can tackle the Cowboy Lasso Spaghetti with meatballs. And just in Case you Don t have a Holster and pistol or a Cowboy hat a drug store near the train station will fill your need for souvenirs. Giddy up Little Doggie and Trot off into the Sunset for Kansas City which is open daily from easter sunday to mid october. I to Silver june 14, 1990 stripes Magazine