Welcome to castlehike.com. I am Kimberly, and I created this blog to document my explorations of European castles, palaces, and other interesting architecture that I find. I also enjoy hiking, nature, and sketching. I live in Germany, one of the richest areas of the world for medieval castles, and I intend to show you as many of them as I possibly can.
Castles are unique places to discover plants, insects, birds, and other parts of nature. Because most castles are located on steep hills that make agriculture difficult, their wild botany and biology have been left relatively untouched, apart from being trampled by the occasional castle siege, for centuries. Using apps, research, and sketches, I will try to identify some of the interesting flora and fauna that reside in close proximity to ancient architecture.
Castles capture our imagination with their rugged stonework. towers, defensive walls, and stories. They feel mysterious and magical. Although I love photographing castles, I also enjoy sketching them. Sketching allows me to slow down and really see a scene in a way that photos miss. I hope that my sketches round out the castle experience for you by illustrating the energy of the places I visit. Mostly, I hope you’ll be inspired to embark on your own explorations, near and far.
I am an artist and former scientist and I have been creating and selling science-inspired art and jewelry for the past decade. I live with my husband and two tuxedo cats, and I’m the mom of two adult daughters out on their own adventures.