Bavaria Trip, Garmisch and Surrounding Areas

SO, WE ALL MET UP AT THE MUNICH AIRPORT, AND HEADED DOWN THE ROAD TO GARMISCH.  EVERYONE WAS EXCITED TO GET THE TRIP ON THE ROAD.  THE SCENERY IS BEAUTIFUL ON THE DRIVE DOWN FROM MUNICH, AND OUR SCHEDULE WAS FULL.

SO, WE PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF, MADDIE AND HENRY SNUGGLING WITH GRANDMA WHILE MOM AND DAD GET THIER RENTAL CAR.

A QUICK STOP FOR LUNCH AT A GREAT ITALIAN RESTAURANT NOT FAR FROM THE HOTEL.  BIER GOOD TOO.

AND OF COURSE A TRIP TO THE GETRANKEMARKT WHERE MARK WAS ENTHRALLED BY THE HUGE BOTTLE OF JACK DANIELS (DIFFERENT LAWS OVER THERE ON HOW BIG A BOTTLE OF BOOZE THEY CAN SELL).

ON MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST, BUT TOO HEAVY TO BRING HOME, WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS:   A BEER ADVENT CALENDAR

WHILE MOM AND DAD NAPPED, GRANDPA TOOK HENRY FOR HIS FIRST TATTOO.  JUST KIDDING, WE WERE WALKING TO THE RESTAURANT BELOW

THIS RESTAURANT IS RATED #1 BY TRIPADVISOR IN GARMISCH.  IT EARNED IT BY US.  GREAT BAVARIAN FARE, BIER, AND DECOR.  WE HAD RESERVATIONS, AND THE OWNER RECOGNIZED US BY THE TWO GRANDCHILDREN.  THE WHOLE STAFF MADE THIS A GREAT MEAL AND EXPERIENCE.

PROST!  BY THE WAY, THE NAME WOLPERTINGER COMES FROM A MYTHICAL BAVARIAN CREATURE, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE WOULD CALL A JACKALOPE.  THERE ARE PICTURES OF THEM LATER IN THIS TOME.

EIN MASS DUNKEL

THE LOCAL ZWICKEL BIER.  MARK SAID IT WAS PRETTY GOOD

ALL THAT GREAT BAVARIAN FOOD, AND MADDIE HAD THE FISH STICKS.  GUESS SHE NEEDS TO ACQUIRE A TASTE FOR SCHNITZEL

AND HENRY, OF COURSE, HAD THE CHICKEN NUGGETS.  THE SERVER BROUGHT SOME KIND OF GAME FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY.  IT WAS A LOT OF FUN, ESPECIALLY PICKING UP THE PIECES FROM UNDER THE TABLE

MOM AND I SHARE THE "LADEN MIST", WHICH TRANSLATES TO A LOAD OF MANURE.  IT COULD BEST BE DESCRIBED AS A MIXED GRILL.  IT MAY HAVE HAD A WEE BIT OF CHOLESTEROL, BUT WAS VERY GOOD.

MARK AND SARAH SHARED SOME OTHER MONSTROSITY.  THERE'S WAS GOOD TOO.  IF GOING TO GARMISCH, DON'T MISS THIS PLACE.  IT'S ON ZUGSPITZSTRASSE, JUST OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN

MARK'S FIRST TRIP BACK TO BAVARIA SINCE THE EARLY 1980s, AND SARAH'S FIRST TRIP.  THEY HAVE BEEN TO HAMBURG, BUT IT AIN'T THE SAME....LOL

THE OWNER BROUGHT US A BOARD OF SCHNAPPS (BY MOM) AS AFTER DINNER DRINKS.  GREAT, GREAT PLACE!!!

ANTIQUE CARS ON WAY BACK TO HOTEL.  THIS PLACE HAD TONS OF THEM.

HAPPY HOUR BACK AT THE HOTEL.  MOM AND I STAYED HERE FOUR YEARS AGO, AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT, THE RHEINISCHER HOF.  THE BED BACKBOARDS ARE CUT IN THE OUTLINE OF THE VIEW OUT THE WINDOW OR FROM THE BALCONY.

THE GRISWOLDS ENJOYING BAVARIA

THE NEXT DAY WE FIRST WENT TO THE OLYMPIC SKI JUMP STADIUM FROM THE 1936 WINTER OLYMPICS.  THE STADIUM LOOKS ABOUT THE SAME, BUT I'M SURE THE JUMPS HAVE BEEN MODERNIZED.

WE THEN WENT TO PARTNACHKLAMM, WHICH IS A GORGE WHERE THEY HAVE MADE A PATH THROUGH THE MOST SCENIC, AND INTERSTING PARTS.  THIS INTERESTING PART WAS KIND OF STINKY, BUT WITH ALL THAT RUNNING WATER, MOST OF US USED THE "TOI-TOI"

THIS IS ANOTHER SIGHT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.  OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO WALK ABOUT A MILE BACK TO THE ACTUAL GORGE, BUT IT'S WORTH IT.  I'M NOT SURE WHAT HENRY WAS DOING HERE, BUT IT'S AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PATH.

WE ALL QUICKLY REALIZED WE HAD FLASHLIGHTS ON OUR CELL PHONES, AND USED THEM.  ALSO USED OUR CELL PHONES TO TAKE PICTURES.

THIS WAS THE VIEW FROM OUR ROOM BALCONY.  WE DID HAVE CLEARER DAYS, I JUST HADN'T TAKEN PICTURES THEN.  PICTURES DON'T DO IT JUSTICE, HOWEVER.

THERE WAS A STATUE OF A "WILDSCHWEIN" (WILD HOG) IN THE HOTEL GARDEN.  I DON'T KNOW WHY.  I DO KNOW THAT PAT SCULLEY ALWAYS THOUGHT HE WAS BEING CHASED BY ONE WHEN WE WOULD RUN IN THE WOODS IN GERMANY.

MARK, HENRY, AND I WENT TO A LOCAL RC RIESSERSEE HOCKEY GAME.  THEY PLAY IN THE SECOND LEAGUE, OR 2. BUDESLIGA.  THIS STADIUM WAS ALSO USED DURING THE 1936 OLYMPICS, ALTHOUGH IT'S MUCH NICER NOW.  I DO THINK SOME OF THE SEATS ON THE ONE SIDE OF THE RINK LOOK AS IF THEY COULD BE ORIGINAL.  

WE HAD SCHNITZEL MIT BROT, AND BIER BEFORE THE GAME.  

HENRY HAD A LOCAL DELICACY (LIKE A DONUT).  I'M NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING, BUT MY RELATIVES CALL THEM "KIEKULA".  THEY GO BY MANY DIFFERENT NAMES.  WE USED TO EAT THESE IN MISTELGAU, AND THEY WERE YUMMY.  ACTUALLY, WE HAD SOME THIS TIME IN MISTELGAU TOO.  NEEDLESS TO SAY, HENRY DID LIKE THEM.

THE "ROWDIES" ARE ON THE END.  THE FLAG CAME OUT WHENEVER THEIR TEAM SCORED A GOAL.  THEY STOOD; NO WAY FOR ME.

THIS WAS NEW TO ME.  PUT YOUR MONEY IN, IT THEN POPS THE CORN FRESH, JUST FOR YOU.  WE DIDN'T TRY IT.  WHAT WAS ALSO NEW TO ME WAS A DEPOSIT ON YOUR PLASTIC BEER CUP.  I QUICKLY CAUGHT ON (ACTUALLY THE GAL SELLING BEER TOLD ME)

OLD TIME HOCKEY

THE NEXT DAY WE DROVE THROUGH PART OF AUSTRIA TO GET TO NEUSCHWANSTEIN, THE "FAIRY TALE" CASTLE OF KING LUDWIG THAT SOME SAY DISNEY USED AS A MODEL FOR THE CASTLES IN THE PARKS.  I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS; BOTH ARE IMPRESSIVE.   BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES I DOWNLOADED OF THE INSIDE, AS NO PICTURES INSIDE THE CASTLE ARE ALLOWED.

THE THRONE ROOM

BEDROOM

THRONE ROOM, AGAIN

VERY NEAR IS HOHENSCHWANGAU, THE CASTLE WHERE KIND LUDWING II GREW UP, AS IT WAS HIS PARENTS' CASTLE.  IT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM, SO HE DECIDED TO BANKRUPT BAVARIA BY BUILDING CASTLES.  THE INCOME NOW FROM TOURS HAS BENEFITED BAVARIA GREATLY.  THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT, AND NEUSCHWANSTEIN IS THE GRANDEST OF THE THREE MAIN ONES.  UNFORTUNATELY, EVERYONE WHO GOES TO BAVARIA GOES TO THIS CASTLE.  EVEN ON A RAINY MONDAY IT WAS PACKED.  FORTUNATELY, WE HAD RESERVATIONS.

HARD TO TELL, BUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES.  THIS IS A WAITING AREA NEAR THE CASTLE.  TO GET THERE YOU NEED TO CLIMB UP TO IT (OR TAKE A HORSE CART MOST OF THE WAY).  HARD TO TELL, BUT INSIDE THAT "SOS" BOX IS AN AED (DEFIBRILLATOR) FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE IN NEED OF SOME CARDIAC STIMULATION.

LIKE LOTS OF OTHER THINGS ON THIS TRIP, PARTS OF THE CASTLE ARE BEING RESTORED

MARIENBRÜCKE.  GREAT VIEWS OF THE CASTLE FROM THIS BRIDGE.  WE PASSED ON IT THIS TIME, BUT THE KIDS WENT OVER TO IT.

WE HAD LUNCH AT THE BOTTOM AFTER THE TOUR.  THERE WAS THIS WEIRD ECLECTIC ARRAY OF GNOMES AND OTHER TACKY STUFF.  HENRY WAS DRAFTED TO HAVE KETCHUP DUMPED ON HIM.

MOM AND I OPTED FOR THIS HORSE CART.  POOR HORSES.  IT'S A MAJOR CLIMB UP THAT HILL

THIS IS A WOLPERTINGER.  IT WAS FOR SALE AT A SHOP IN DOWNTOWN GARMISCH.  I THINK IT IS THE SAME ONE THAT WAS THERE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE THERE.  JUST AN FYI, URBAN CHESTNUT BREWING COMPANY BREWS A BIER CALLED "WOLPERTINGER"

THE NEXT DAY WE HEADED IN THE AREA OF OBERAMMERGAU, HOME OF THE PASSION PLAY EVERY TEN YEARS (NOT THIS YEAR).  WE WENT TO LINDERHOF, ANOTHER OF KIND LUDWIG'S CASTLES, BUT MOM AND I OPTED TO SIT THAT ONE OUT, AS WE HAD BEEN THERE FOUR YEARS AGO.  WE DECIDED TO TAKE A SELFIE.  THE PICTURE ABOVE IS NOT LINDERHOF, BUT TALK TO MARK IF YOU WANT TO SEE PICTURES OF IT.

AFTER LINDERHOF, WE WENT TO THE TOWN OF OBERAMMERGAU.  THE CAFE THAT THEY ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF USED TO BE CALLED "MARKMILLER CAFE".  SO, WE HAD TO HAVE THE REQUISITE PICTURE IN FRONT OF IT WITH THE GRISWOLDS.

AND YES, THEY ALSO HAVE A KATHE WOHLFAHRT'S

I OPTED TO SIT ON A PARK BENCH BY THIS FOUNTAIN IN THE CENTER OF TOWN.  IT COMMEMORATES THE TOWN BEING SAVED FROM THE PLAGUE (WHICH PROMPTED THEM TO START THE PASSION PLAY).  ACROSS THE STREET WAS THIS VERY NICE BUILDING WITH LOTS OF "LUFTMALEREI", THE TERM THEY USE FOR THE PAINTINGS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUILDINGS IN THAT PART OF BAVARIA.

THIS PAINTING I REALLY LIKED.  IT SAYS "GRÜß GOTT", WHICH MANY BAVARIANS SAY WHEN THEY SEE ONE ANOTHER.  IT LITERALLY TRANSLATES AS "GOD'S GREETINGS", BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T TRANSLATE WELL.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY, SO WE HAD LUNCH OUTSDIE ON THE TOWN SQUARE.  IT WAS CALLED THE ALTE POST HOTEL.  READ MY REVIEW ON TRIPADVISOR.  

WHILE SARAH, MOM, AND THE KIDS SHOPPED, MARK AND I WENT TO THE EIBSEE, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKES AT THE FOOT OF THE ZUGSPITZ, GERMANY'S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.  THERE IS A NICE PATH AROUND THE LAKE (ABOUT FOUR MILES).  I LET MARK DO THE RUNNING, BUT I MANAGED TO WALK A BIT OF IT.  THIS I RATE IN TOP FIVE OF RUNNING TRAILS.

ALSO HERE THEY ARE FINISHING A NEW CABLE CAR TO THE TOP OF THE ZUGSPITZ.  IT'S A MONSTER, AND AS BEST WE CAN TELL, ONLY HAS ONE TOWER BETWEEN THE EIBSEE AND THE SUMMIT (WE COULD BE WRONG).  

LATER, MADDIE AND HENRY GOT GIFTS.  MADDIE GOT A STAR WARS PURSE, AND A MUSIC BOX.  HENRY OPTED FOR A GREAT COMMEMORATIVE TRAIN CAR.

AND, ANOTHER HAPPY HOUR IN THE HOTEL ROOM.  THESE WERE VERY SPECIAL, AS WE HAD A DRINK OR TWO, TALKED ALL KINDS OF THINGS ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND THE KIDS PLAYED ON THEIR "DEVICES", AS MARK CALLS THEM.  

OUR LAST DINNER IN GARMISCH WAS AT "CAFE BISTRO MUKKEFUCK".  YES, THAT IS THE NAME, BUT IT'S RATED IN TOP FIVE BY TRIPADVISOR.  AGAIN, IT EARNED IT, AND WE ALL ENJOYED OUR FOOD, DRINK, AND AMBIENCE.  THE PLACE HAD ONE OF THOSE OLD CERAMIC FURNACES, AND LOOKED A BIT "WEATHERED", SO I ASKED HOW OLD THE BUILDING WAS.  SHE TOLD ME IT WAS BUILT IN 1620!  

A BIER HAT TRICK!

ANOTHER PROST!

THIS WAS IN THE MEN'S ROOM.  I DON'T THINK THE SPIDER WAS THERE IN 1620, BUT AT LEAST I HAD SOMETHING TO WATCH WHILE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.

LAST VIEW FROM HOTEL BEFORE HEADING TO BERCHTESGADEN.

FROM GARMISCH, WE DROVE TO BERCHTESGADEN.  LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION ON ROADS AND ELSEWHERE.  THANK GOODNESS FOR GPS, AS WE DROVE ALL OVER BAVARIA TO GET TO BERCHTESGADEN.  THANKFULLY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.  ALSO, MARK AND SARAH LEARNED WHAT THE WORD "STAU" MEANS ON AUTOBAHNS.  THEY'RE PACKED, ESPECIALLY IN SOME AREAS.  BERCHTESGADEN WILL BE THE NEXT CHAPTER.