Germany 2011 - Going Home

Well, the ten of us had a wonderful time. There were mountains that were hiked, history that was learned, memories that were made, and economies that were spurred due to the money that was spent. We had great food and accommodations at the Alpenhof. It was just what we had hoped it would be - a fantastic family vacation!

Germany 2011 - Days 13+14 - Garmisch and Mittenwald

We stayed locally the last two days - Garmisch and Mittenwald.

Germany 2011 - Day 12 - The Italian Dolomites

We got up really early and took a bus tour into the Italian Dolomites. www.dolomiti.org/dengl/ The tour company was Feriengluck just down the road from the Alpenhof. The weather was not the greatest in the morning, but the clouds began to lift in the afternoon. The views from the top of the mountain passes were fantastic!

We had a very quick stop in Cortina.

We ate lunch in Arabba.

Our last stop for afternoon dessert was in Sterzing.

BUT, the highlights of the day were the mountains!

Germany 2011 - Day 11 - Munich

After several days of hiking, the kids wanted to spend their money in the big city. We boarded the train in Klais and headed to Munich.

The girls' new favorite store.

Germany 2011 - Day 10 - Ehrwald Austria

The weather was very clear again today so we went behind the Zugspitze - the Austrian side. The little town is Ehrwald. http://www.ehrwald.com/. We took a cable car up and down - but we hiked for several hours in the mountains. This truly is a beautiful place with walls of mountains of either side.

Germany 2011 - Day 9 - Eckbauer + Partnachklamm

We had wonderful weather as we took a cable car up Eckbauer http://www.eckbauer.de/ - the views were wonderful. The Zugspitze http://www.zugspitze.de/de/summer/index.htm and Alpspitze were clearly visible.

We got a good glimpse of King Ludwig's Hunting Lodge. One of my goals is to hike up there one day. www.schloesser.bayern.de/deutsch/schloss/objekte/schachen.htm

We then hiked down to the Partnachklamm http://www.partnachklamm.eu on the way to the ski stadium - which housed the 1936 Winter Olympic Games.

Germany 2011 - Day 8 - Church + Kruen

We attended Garmisch Baptist Church where there were 20 people in attendance. In addition to our ten, the pastor and his wife, and the musician, there were three Americans, a British couple, a Romanian gentleman, and a man from the Dominican Republic. It is neat to see how different people hear about the church and stop in for the services. Julia participated in the service by playing the violin.

During the afternoon, a few of us went on a walk outside of Kruen.

Right before dinner, Tessa, Mica and I visited the local cows.

Germany 2011 - Day 7 - Seefeld

The weather was cloudy with a little bit of rain, but that did not stop us from taking a nice trip to Seefeld. We went up a cable car to the top of one of the mountains and had a nice walk down. We then spent a little bit of time in the city. Seefeld is another one of these great alpine cities that hosts many ski events.

I had to include this great picture.

Germany 2011 - Day 6 - Bregenz

We drove a few hours to Lake Constance (Bodensee) to spend some time with the Frankes. We had a wonderful lunch on the lake and then walked around the lake and the historic part of the town. It was a great time of food and fellowship.

Germany 2011 - Day 5 - Partenkirchen

Today was a religious holiday throughout Bavaria. We went to Partenkirchen to walk around - we were able to get a taste of the traditional dress and customs. The main road through the center of Partenkirchen is the famous Ludwigstrasse.

We also stopped by the house that my dad lived in during the War.