European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Hop on Over to her Stein continued from Page 3 the pre lenten carnival season 13 her Stein residents literally jump for about four hours. The custom dates to the 13th Century said Myrtke and is practice every year in the annual her Stein Springer Parade. In the spectacle 6 couples All of whom Are actually men dress in traditional costumes and jump continuously to the height of 1h feet. The Leader who also jumps is known As the Bajacz pronounced Bye has. All the joint numbing jumping or springing As it s known in her Stein symbolizes the Joy of driving out the angry old Winter and welcoming Spring. Myrtke said that positions in the springing procession Are auctioned off to the highest bidder each year a the position of Bajacz being the most sought after role. Last year s Bajacz paid 4,700 Marks to jump around town. Myrtke said Only men serve As official jumpers because of the strenuous Pace the group keeps. It might also be that women Are smart enough not to want to pay to do it. Just outside her Stein Are the Thermal Baths. Some 87,000 people a year visit the town for the Baths but they weren t always so easy to find. In 1976, a geologist was hired to try to locate hot Mineral Springs that Myrtke believed to lie somewhere below his town. The geologist believed the bubbling hot water would be found at about 760 meters below the ground. When hot water bubbled up from the drilling site at 700 meters All involved went to a local bar to begin celebrating. The party soon ended however when the phone in the bar rang and everyone was called Back to the drilling operation. As it turned out Myrtke said a water pump used to Cool the huge Drill broke and that was the source of the steaming liquid. Nine months after the drilling began a Calcium sodium sulphate photo Courtesy of the her Stein tourist office Thermal Spring was found More than 1,000 meters Down. Water from the Spring was certified by the state of Hessen As having medicinal qualities. A modern Bathhouse was built to accommodate those seeking the soothing water which comes out of the Earth at a constant 92 degrees fahrenheit. The town is also noted for its Wurst fest held each november. Her Stein was unofficially Home of one of the largest sausages in the world last year. The mayor proudly produces a newspaper clipping for those in doubt. The Mammoth Schwarte Magen a sausage special to the area weighed in at More than 170 pounds stretching thin its skin made from an entire cow stomach. Myrtke has invited officials from the quiness Book of world records to attend this year s fest which is scheduled for nov. 9. Tourists arrive by the Busload to see her Stein and the town built the Haus Des castes or House for guests to accommodate them. The modern Structure in t a hotel but rather a Large recreation Center where visitors can do everything from bake their own bread to go Bowling. The House is also Home to the Only place in Germany one can listen to a belgian made Decap what can Only be described As a huge computerized musician less band. Quot it replaces an entire orchestra Quot Myrtke said. The device which Cost 100,000 Marks has two accordions a trombone saxophone drum set and dual organs linked by a computer. Through a sophisticated air blowing system the Decap can play More than 10 hours of songs without repeating the same tune. Townsfolk use the High tech Calliope for dances and tourists enjoy its music while sipping Coffee Myrtke said. For those who want the real thing live bands perform at the Hall every sunday. Her Stein is also a Good place for a quiet stroll. It sits atop a Small Hill and the town can be easily viewed from walkways along the Wall that surrounds it there Are the traditional half timbered structures and Many of the buildings Are covered with wooden shingles that Are Peculiar to the area. Visitors to her Stein might notice 4 stripes Magazine october 11, 1990 clockwise from left the water in her Stein s hot Mineral Baths Are certified to have medicinal qualities. The Decap a computerized musician less orchestra can play 10 hours of music without repeating a tune. Several watchtowers still stand on the Wall surrounding her Stein. Each year at the Springer Parade 13 her Stein residents jump continuously for four hours a a custom that dates to the 13th Century. A museum exhibit displays the traditional garb of the jumpers. An abundance of White barked Beech Trees in the town especially near its Thermal Baths. Some 1,800 of the Trees have been planted since 1962, Myrtke said. That s the year the Strasse Der Ehe or wedding Street was started. The Street a really just a Footpath a is a place where couples Plant three Beech Trees on their wedding Day. Myrtke said the Trees symbolize the Bride Groom and a future child. Quot though most of the time they Are already three because the woman is pregnant Quot he added jokingly. Couples have travelled from every Corner of Germany to Plant the Trees enough so said Myrtke that the Street was filled and newlyweds had to begin planting in the adjacent nature Park. Travellers tips those who Don t want to go through the trouble of constructing mayor Lothar Myrtke s paper and styrofoam navigation device can find her Stein almost directly East of Fulda on most Standard Road maps. There Are no trains to the town but visitors can take them to Fulda or Lauderback and can catch a bus to her Stein from either station. Myrtke said there Are some 525 rooms available in the area 100 of which Are offered by private families As bed and breakfast accommodations. Families interested in visiting the area can choose from 29 Small houses that can be rented in the town for holidays. The Thermal Bath is open year round and offers hot Springs massages and other therapeutic services. Her Stein is also Home to Hessen s Only Fasching or festival museum. The museum is open 4 30 to 5 30 . On sundays april through october. It s a Small place with Only three rooms but Entrance is free and it s Worth a look if you happen to be there on a sunday. There Are plenty of restaurants and pubs most of which offer traditional fare at fairly inexpensive prices. For More information visitors can Contact the her Stein tourist information office at 06643-221 or write to tourist office 6422 her Stein a Germany