Day 7
This is our Hitler day. The sun is shining and so we head up to the Kehlestein or "Hitler's Eagle's Nest". This is a retreat center of Hitler's that was built for him and given to him for his 50th birthday in 1938. He only visited it a few times because it is high above Berchtesgarten and he was afraid of heights. You drive half way up the mountain and then have to take a bus to the bottom of the ledge. From there we walk through a tunnel of the mountain and take an elevator up to the top throuogh the mountain. THe elevator is the original - with solid gold walls and the orignal phone in the elevator. At the top you can look over all of the Obersalzberg and down to Berchesgarten. An incredible view. Once again we are amazed at the beauty and majestic mountains that God has created. Breath-taking!
We have lunch at the top in the Kehlestein and watch as clouds start to roll in.
Next we head back to where Hitler had his home. The Hotel Cumturken was next to his home and was taken over by Hitler during his reign. When the US bombed Hitler's home, the hotel was untouched. We met the lady who was a little girl when her family owned the hotel before Hitler took it from them. She finally got the hotel back 10 years ago and it was then discovered that there was a huge bunker system built under the hotel and Hitler's home that was still intacted. We went down into this bunker system and saw where it led to his home. It was created with massive thick walls, had rooms for the soldiers that protected Hitler and separate rooms for Hitler and Eva Braun, his girlfriend. We then found another bunker that runs under this large field in the valley, near a resturant that Hitler often visited. Small pipes come up through the ground in the field that were the air system for the bunker.
We discovered the first hostel in the world that is still being run as a hostel. Hitler often would go there and take pictures with the teens staying there. Strubkaserne is just down the street from it. This is a German military base. The buildings are from the Third Reich and were built by Hitler.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Day 7:
July 9, Wednesday
This is our Hitler day. The sun is shining and so we head up to the Kehlestein or "Hitler's Eagle's Nest". This is a retreat center of Hitler's that was built for him and given to him for his 50th birthday in 1938. He only visited it a few times because it is high above Berchtesgarten and he was afraid of heights. You drive half way up the mountain and then have to take a bus to the bottom of the ledge. From there we walk through a tunnel of the mountain and take an elevator up to the top through the mountain. The elevator is the original - with solid gold walls and the original phone in the elevator. At the top you can look over all of the Obersalzberg and down to Berchesgarten. An incredible view. Once again we are amazed at the beauty and majestic mountains that God has created. Breath-taking!
We have lunch at the top in the Kehlestein and watch as clouds start to roll in.
Next we head back to where Hitler had his home. The Hotel Cumturken was next to his home and was taken over by Hitler during his reign. When the US bombed Hitler's home, the hotel was untouched. We met the lady who was a little girl when her family owned the hotel before Hitler took it from them. She finally got the hotel back 10 years ago and it was then discovered that there was a huge bunker system built under the hotel and Hitler's home that was still intacted. We went down into this bunker system and saw where it led to his home. It was created with massive thick walls, had rooms for the soldiers that protected Hitler and separate rooms for Hitler and Eva Braun, his girlfriend. We then found another bunker that runs under this large field in the valley, near a restaurant that Hitler often visited. Small pipes come up through the ground in the field that were the air system for the bunker.
We discovered the first hostel in the world that is still being run as a hostel. Hitler often would go there and take pictures with the teens staying there. Strubkaserne is just down the street from it. This is a German military base. The buildings are from the Third Reich and were built by Hitler.
Then we went adventuring - looking to find Paula Hitler's grave. She was Adolf's only sister. She never married and lived just outside Berchtesgaden. We found the cemetery but the workers there refused to tell us where the grave is. So we start walking around and ran into a lady pushing a stroller. She points in one direction and starts to tell us where it is when the grave yard workers come running after us and yelling at her, "You can not tell"! So as she leaves us we go in the direction she was pointing when a quiet little old man walks up behind us and whispers, "I'll show you." So he takes us to the grave. It is marked with a different name because they were tired of people coming through the cemetery but on the internet you can find the story showing this exact grave. Only the marker is changed - the tall wooden monument still stands.
A few impressions about Germany and Germans:The technology here is far beyond America. They are very environmentally advanced. Very "green". Most buildings and hotels have motion detector lights in all the halls and bathrooms so they only go on when you use them. The toilets and bathrooms are beyond clean - even in gas stations - They have a little automatic cleaner so after you flush the toilet, the toilet seat makes a circle and gets cleaned.
The beds all have big feather duvets - two single ones so each has their own - saves pulling the covers! The fancy hotels that we stayed in all had robes and slippers to go to the pool. The tables are set with the knives on a rock or shell under the tip of the knife. Fresh flowers are everywhere on the tables.
People are very friendly. They don't know much English but we are beginning to talk a few German words to get by. Signs are all in German only. People are very quiet and very proper. They won't think of breaking the law - we don't see police ANYWHERE. I guess they are not needed like in America. They get upset if we stop on the side of the road because that is not done. The bend over and talk quietly in restaurants. They believe in building buildings to last - average is for 200 years, where in America houses last about 70-80 years. We have seen some OLD buildings! Built in the 1400's. People are very health conscious - they walk everywhere with walking sticks - like ski poles in both hands. All throughout the mountains are cars parked and people no where to be seen - out walking the trails of the mountains. Or they are biking up and down the mountains - AMAZING! Even very old people.
July 9, Wednesday
This is our Hitler day. The sun is shining and so we head up to the Kehlestein or "Hitler's Eagle's Nest". This is a retreat center of Hitler's that was built for him and given to him for his 50th birthday in 1938. He only visited it a few times because it is high above Berchtesgarten and he was afraid of heights. You drive half way up the mountain and then have to take a bus to the bottom of the ledge. From there we walk through a tunnel of the mountain and take an elevator up to the top through the mountain. The elevator is the original - with solid gold walls and the original phone in the elevator. At the top you can look over all of the Obersalzberg and down to Berchesgarten. An incredible view. Once again we are amazed at the beauty and majestic mountains that God has created. Breath-taking!
We have lunch at the top in the Kehlestein and watch as clouds start to roll in.
Next we head back to where Hitler had his home. The Hotel Cumturken was next to his home and was taken over by Hitler during his reign. When the US bombed Hitler's home, the hotel was untouched. We met the lady who was a little girl when her family owned the hotel before Hitler took it from them. She finally got the hotel back 10 years ago and it was then discovered that there was a huge bunker system built under the hotel and Hitler's home that was still intacted. We went down into this bunker system and saw where it led to his home. It was created with massive thick walls, had rooms for the soldiers that protected Hitler and separate rooms for Hitler and Eva Braun, his girlfriend. We then found another bunker that runs under this large field in the valley, near a restaurant that Hitler often visited. Small pipes come up through the ground in the field that were the air system for the bunker.
We discovered the first hostel in the world that is still being run as a hostel. Hitler often would go there and take pictures with the teens staying there. Strubkaserne is just down the street from it. This is a German military base. The buildings are from the Third Reich and were built by Hitler.
Then we went adventuring - looking to find Paula Hitler's grave. She was Adolf's only sister. She never married and lived just outside Berchtesgaden. We found the cemetery but the workers there refused to tell us where the grave is. So we start walking around and ran into a lady pushing a stroller. She points in one direction and starts to tell us where it is when the grave yard workers come running after us and yelling at her, "You can not tell"! So as she leaves us we go in the direction she was pointing when a quiet little old man walks up behind us and whispers, "I'll show you." So he takes us to the grave. It is marked with a different name because they were tired of people coming through the cemetery but on the internet you can find the story showing this exact grave. Only the marker is changed - the tall wooden monument still stands.
A few impressions about Germany and Germans:The technology here is far beyond America. They are very environmentally advanced. Very "green". Most buildings and hotels have motion detector lights in all the halls and bathrooms so they only go on when you use them. The toilets and bathrooms are beyond clean - even in gas stations - They have a little automatic cleaner so after you flush the toilet, the toilet seat makes a circle and gets cleaned.
The beds all have big feather duvets - two single ones so each has their own - saves pulling the covers! The fancy hotels that we stayed in all had robes and slippers to go to the pool. The tables are set with the knives on a rock or shell under the tip of the knife. Fresh flowers are everywhere on the tables.
People are very friendly. They don't know much English but we are beginning to talk a few German words to get by. Signs are all in German only. People are very quiet and very proper. They won't think of breaking the law - we don't see police ANYWHERE. I guess they are not needed like in America. They get upset if we stop on the side of the road because that is not done. The bend over and talk quietly in restaurants. They believe in building buildings to last - average is for 200 years, where in America houses last about 70-80 years. We have seen some OLD buildings! Built in the 1400's. People are very health conscious - they walk everywhere with walking sticks - like ski poles in both hands. All throughout the mountains are cars parked and people no where to be seen - out walking the trails of the mountains. Or they are biking up and down the mountains - AMAZING! Even very old people.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Day 6
Today we leave Corvara, Italy and head to Berchtesgarten, Germany. It is a long drive and takes about 5 hours. We go through beautiful Barvarian towns and the swiss alps again. The sun is shining and sparkles on the mountain. We eat in a little Austrian resturant on the side of the alps. We arrive about 2:30pm and immediately head up the mountain to find the Kunterweg Church in Ramsau. Josef Mohr who wrote "Silent Night" was parish assistant here in 1512.
We then head to Obersalzberg for a quick overview of the land. This was Hitler's military base and personal retreat center away from Munch. There are still so many buildings still standing and in use from the Third Reich. We find the ruins of Hitler's house. It was bombed by the US military. There are bricks from the front of the house and the back retaining wall still standing. It was not high on the top of the obersalzberg - Hitler was afraid of heights and is nestled in the woods.
Then we head to our new hotel - the Alpenhof Hotel nestled in the mountains. It is a beautiful hotel with an indoor and outdoor pool. Stephen is the owner and a friend of Bill's. Dinner and breakfast is included in the hotel price. Another wonderful dinner.
Today we leave Corvara, Italy and head to Berchtesgarten, Germany. It is a long drive and takes about 5 hours. We go through beautiful Barvarian towns and the swiss alps again. The sun is shining and sparkles on the mountain. We eat in a little Austrian resturant on the side of the alps. We arrive about 2:30pm and immediately head up the mountain to find the Kunterweg Church in Ramsau. Josef Mohr who wrote "Silent Night" was parish assistant here in 1512.
We then head to Obersalzberg for a quick overview of the land. This was Hitler's military base and personal retreat center away from Munch. There are still so many buildings still standing and in use from the Third Reich. We find the ruins of Hitler's house. It was bombed by the US military. There are bricks from the front of the house and the back retaining wall still standing. It was not high on the top of the obersalzberg - Hitler was afraid of heights and is nestled in the woods.
Then we head to our new hotel - the Alpenhof Hotel nestled in the mountains. It is a beautiful hotel with an indoor and outdoor pool. Stephen is the owner and a friend of Bill's. Dinner and breakfast is included in the hotel price. Another wonderful dinner.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Day 5
This is the day to explore Corvara and Italy. We head to the little town of Villa - visiting a little church and cemetery. This is one of the very few towns left that speak Latino. We then head up the Val Parosa Pass - reaching 2745 meters at the top after 15 switch backs.
We discovered the Castle Andraz by accident. This castle was found in 1000 AD. It protected the valley, built on a huge rock and dates back to the Middle Ages and Napoleon. We see beautiful wild flowers growing in the rock of the mountains and small streams of water falls coming off the mountain. The day is sunny and yet cool because we are so high. God has created all this beauty for us to enjoy.
There are ski lifts from each little town that is nestled on the side of the mountains. We stop in Arabba at a little road side stand for a Bratwurst for lunch. One little town called Livine has such typical Italian homes and narrow streets.
When we return to Corvara Bill and Chuck let Chris loose to go shopping. My only time to get Italy presents so I have to move fast! A rain storm starts again but the hotel has large umbrellas for me to use.
Another wonderful dinner after a cocktail party given by the Costas - the owners of the La Perla.
This is the day to explore Corvara and Italy. We head to the little town of Villa - visiting a little church and cemetery. This is one of the very few towns left that speak Latino. We then head up the Val Parosa Pass - reaching 2745 meters at the top after 15 switch backs.
We discovered the Castle Andraz by accident. This castle was found in 1000 AD. It protected the valley, built on a huge rock and dates back to the Middle Ages and Napoleon. We see beautiful wild flowers growing in the rock of the mountains and small streams of water falls coming off the mountain. The day is sunny and yet cool because we are so high. God has created all this beauty for us to enjoy.
There are ski lifts from each little town that is nestled on the side of the mountains. We stop in Arabba at a little road side stand for a Bratwurst for lunch. One little town called Livine has such typical Italian homes and narrow streets.
When we return to Corvara Bill and Chuck let Chris loose to go shopping. My only time to get Italy presents so I have to move fast! A rain storm starts again but the hotel has large umbrellas for me to use.
Another wonderful dinner after a cocktail party given by the Costas - the owners of the La Perla.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Day 4
This is the day we leave Garmish and drive to Corvara, Italy. Amazing that we can drive just a little while and we suddenly see Italians and the sounds change. Germans are very quiet, lean over to speak to you in a whisper. The Italians are excited we are here and talk loudly and jester with their hands for everything. We drive as far as St. Christina and are stopped because of a bike race - Yes, a bikes race up the mountain and back down. It is amazing to see these crazy people, young and old who bike up these steep mountain paths for 30 miles and then back down. We had to wait for 3 hours until the race was done and so it was perfect time to have our first Italian pizza and call Ida to tell her we were in Italy! We finally get to Corvara, Italy. A beautiful mountain ski town, nestled in the mountains. The hotel is the La Perla - a very fancy hotel like none we have ever seen. Our room balcony looks out to the mountains, with ski cable cars running along side. Our room is called the "romantik" - so beautiful. At night they turn our bed down, give us fresh towels, and have slippers laying on a little white mat by our bed. Every hotel has white bathrobes and slippers to wear down to the pool.
As soon as we get to Corvara a storm hits. The lightening and thunder bounces off the mountains. The electricity went out twice - just as we were finding the pool - which incidentally is in the basement, in a cave, with waterfalls to swim behind and whirlpools in a few areas. Amazing.
Dinner is a five course meal that lasts three hours. Fancy food that is delicious - can't be described!
This is the day we leave Garmish and drive to Corvara, Italy. Amazing that we can drive just a little while and we suddenly see Italians and the sounds change. Germans are very quiet, lean over to speak to you in a whisper. The Italians are excited we are here and talk loudly and jester with their hands for everything. We drive as far as St. Christina and are stopped because of a bike race - Yes, a bikes race up the mountain and back down. It is amazing to see these crazy people, young and old who bike up these steep mountain paths for 30 miles and then back down. We had to wait for 3 hours until the race was done and so it was perfect time to have our first Italian pizza and call Ida to tell her we were in Italy! We finally get to Corvara, Italy. A beautiful mountain ski town, nestled in the mountains. The hotel is the La Perla - a very fancy hotel like none we have ever seen. Our room balcony looks out to the mountains, with ski cable cars running along side. Our room is called the "romantik" - so beautiful. At night they turn our bed down, give us fresh towels, and have slippers laying on a little white mat by our bed. Every hotel has white bathrobes and slippers to wear down to the pool.
As soon as we get to Corvara a storm hits. The lightening and thunder bounces off the mountains. The electricity went out twice - just as we were finding the pool - which incidentally is in the basement, in a cave, with waterfalls to swim behind and whirlpools in a few areas. Amazing.
Dinner is a five course meal that lasts three hours. Fancy food that is delicious - can't be described!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Garmish, Zupspitzen & King Ludwig II Castle
Day 3
Wow, today is the big day - clear sky and so we head up the Zupspitzen mountain.
This is the highest mountain in Germany - 10,000 feet or 2950 meters.
You can not see the top from the bottom. From the top you can look out and see Austria, Germany, and Italy off in the distance.
We are way above the tree line and there is a glacier off the back of the mountain. Amazing how they could build this thing. Absolutely beautiful, breath taking! How God could create such beauty and massive mountain.
Many climb the entire mountain to the top. You can see little trails through the forest below as you go up the cable car. It takes about 2-3 days for the average person to climb. Some take a week to climb it. Some Germans can climb it is 4-6 hours. Germans are crazy about walking and climbing. Many come to the top with their little walking sticks and then climb down. Everywhere you see people walking and climbing through Germany.
Then we went to King Ludwig's other castle - Kongigsscloss Linderhof. This one is much smaller and the one he lived in the most.
We have been staying at the Riessersee Renaissance Hotel up in the mountains of Garmish. It looks over a valley.
There is a little hotel next to it called the Riessersee Hotel with a little resturant that is right on a lake at the base of the Zupspiten Mountain. We have eaten supper there every night.
Wow, today is the big day - clear sky and so we head up the Zupspitzen mountain.
This is the highest mountain in Germany - 10,000 feet or 2950 meters. We take a cable car that travels pretty fast. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top.
You can not see the top from the bottom. From the top you can look out and see Austria, Germany, and Italy off in the distance.
We are way above the tree line and there is a glacier off the back of the mountain. Amazing how they could build this thing. Absolutely beautiful, breath taking! How God could create such beauty and massive mountain. 
There is one little spot where people can climb out on a small ledge and over to a peak. They are crazy!
Many climb the entire mountain to the top. You can see little trails through the forest below as you go up the cable car. It takes about 2-3 days for the average person to climb. Some take a week to climb it. Some Germans can climb it is 4-6 hours. Germans are crazy about walking and climbing. Many come to the top with their little walking sticks and then climb down. Everywhere you see people walking and climbing through Germany.
After The Zupspitzen, we traveled through the mountains to find King Ludwig II castles. The main castle is called the Konigssclosser (castle of the king). It is high in the mountain - again, how did they build it way up there? This was an adventure to get too. Lots of walking up hill. Bill knows the back roads to beat all the buses and tours.
Then we went to King Ludwig's other castle - Kongigsscloss Linderhof. This one is much smaller and the one he lived in the most.
On the way we stopped by the Weiskirche. A beautiful rocco church in the middle of no where. There was a wedding going on so we stopped and watched for a while. Southern Germany seems to be the land of churches, cemeteries, mountains, and castles. And we are finding them all.
Bill is good at stopping by the side of the road, where there is no side of the road, to take pictures. We hang on the side of the mountain and while Chuck and Bill jump out to take a picture, I pray... We have pictures of everything....
We have been staying at the Riessersee Renaissance Hotel up in the mountains of Garmish. It looks over a valley.
There is a little hotel next to it called the Riessersee Hotel with a little resturant that is right on a lake at the base of the Zupspiten Mountain. We have eaten supper there every night.
It is run by some friends of Bills', Micheal and Barbara. They bought the hotel and resturant about three years ago from Barbara's family.
It is beautiful to watch the sun set over the mountain!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Small Villages and Shopping Stops
Day Two
Headed Through the Switzerland and Germany to Garmish.
Garmish is where the 1936 Olympics were held. Hitler built a stadium. which is very small by today's standards.
We headed out to Mittenwald. A cute little town with shopping.
Then we headed up the mountain to Ettal where there is a monastery and a beautiful church. Every town has a church standing in the center of the town with all the stores and houses surrounding it. On the hour, you hear church bells ringing in every town.
Then we headed to Oberammergau. This town is known for the passion play. Over half of all the towns people participate in the play which runs every ten years. It takes about 2200 people to put it on. It is known all over the world. The town is made up of many little streets filled with stores. I bought my manger here. Lots of little wood carvers.
Ended the day by swimming and the hot tub and then dinner at the See Hotel across the street, looking at the Zupspiten! Most beautiful mountain reflecting in the lake.
As we crawled into bed we head fireworks and ran down to the end of the hall - The USA military base was shooting fireworks for the 4th of July! Beautiful end to the day. You know I love my fireworks!
Headed Through the Switzerland and Germany to Garmish.
Garmish is where the 1936 Olympics were held. Hitler built a stadium. which is very small by today's standards.
We headed out to Mittenwald. A cute little town with shopping.
Then we headed up the mountain to Ettal where there is a monastery and a beautiful church. Every town has a church standing in the center of the town with all the stores and houses surrounding it. On the hour, you hear church bells ringing in every town.
Then we headed to Oberammergau. This town is known for the passion play. Over half of all the towns people participate in the play which runs every ten years. It takes about 2200 people to put it on. It is known all over the world. The town is made up of many little streets filled with stores. I bought my manger here. Lots of little wood carvers.
Ended the day by swimming and the hot tub and then dinner at the See Hotel across the street, looking at the Zupspiten! Most beautiful mountain reflecting in the lake.
As we crawled into bed we head fireworks and ran down to the end of the hall - The USA military base was shooting fireworks for the 4th of July! Beautiful end to the day. You know I love my fireworks!
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