Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Midway through October already.  We had an absolutely perfect week of weather until Friday when it reverted back to cold and rainy.  That day the kids got to participate in a German event called a Volksmarch (People's walk).  Volksmarching began in the 1960s in Germany to promote physical fitness.  Volksmarches are held in most German towns at some point during the year and are done in the spirit of a popular credo in Germany - "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes."  They are held rain or shine and lead you on trails through the hosting town in either 5k, 10k or 20k lengths.  Elise's class did the 10k and I tagged along.  We had a great walk through the town, some farmer's fields and then the forest near our house.  At the halfway point there was a building in the woods that was selling sandwiches and soda.  Lydia's class did the 5k and arrived at the halfway point a little bit after Elise so I got to see her there.  After lunching we walked through some more of the forest, back through town and then ended at the village hall which was selling brats, soda, and homemade cakes and pastries.  They also had some beer mugs and other trinkets for sale, the proceeds of which go to the local walking club.  Upon finishing the Volksmarch you can purchase a trophy as well, which the kids did.  It was a great time and I think it would be a great way to visit other German cities in the future.

Lydia's class

 Elise's class

 On the trail

 Happy Finishers 

On Sunday we left for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is about 3 hours south of us in the Bavarian Alps.  Garmisch's claim to fame is that it was the host of the 1936 Winter Olympics and it is an alpine skiing destination.  Part of Carissa's 'time off' includes 5 days for continuing education, and last week was the European Dental Command's big conference.  The conference was hosted at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, which is a R&R resort for US and NATO soldiers.  Garmisch also has a small US military installation which after the week we are bummed we didn't get stationed at.

View from our hotel room

Carissa had meetings most of the week but we did manage some sightseeing during the week.  Monday I took the kids to breakfast and then the pool for most of the morning.  The whole family was working on new colds so I had the kids lie down in the afternoon.  That night we got to meet up with Fritz and Lindsey for dinner.  They were on a two week trip through Germany and before they left Fritz and I figured out that we'd both be in the area at the same time.  We ate at a great Italian restaurant in Garmisch and it was nice for us to see friends from home, if only for a night.  

Tuesday Carissa skipped out of the afternoon classes and we went on a beautiful hike to the Partnach Gorge.  We took a gondola up the mountain from the Olympic Stadium and then hiked 3 hours down and through the gorge.  The gorge is about a mile long cut through high stone cliffs by the Partnach River.

At the top

Coming down the mountain

Partnach Gorge

 Haaken's silent protest after 3 hours of hiking

Wednesday Carissa had meetings all day but that night we walked around the streets of Garmisch.  We bought Haaken a new ski hat and had some hot chocolate at a little cafe.  That night we ate leftovers in the room and watched a movie.  

Streets of Garmisch

Thursday Elise woke up sick and laid low the whole day.  I took Lydia and Haaken to the pool again and made everyone nap.  That night we were all supposed to go out with Carissa's boss from TCMP (the contracting company), but Elise was too sick and Haaken too tired so just Carissa and Lydia went.  

The conference ended at 10am on Friday, after which we jumped in the car and drove to King Ludwig's castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.  It was a gorgeous drive through the mountains along the Loisach River.  

King Ludwig II was King of Bavaria in the late 1800s through the early 1900s.  He gained the throne when he was 18 after his father died.  He is famous because he comissioned fairy tale castles to be built and almost bankrupted the country because of it.  The most famous castle built under his rule was Neuschwanstein.

Hohenschwangau was the royal family's summer hunting lodge.  Ludwig grew up in this castle hunting the mountains surrounding it.  We toured this castle which is relatively small compared to other castles we've seen, primarily because it was a private residence and had no public function.  Ludwig apparently was not too fond of living in Munich and spent a lot of time here during his rule to get away from the capital, and to keep an eye on the construction of Neuschwanstein.

Hohenschwangau Castle

Town of Hohenschwangau

Afte the tour we hiked back down the hill from Hohenschwangau and then up another hill to Neuschwanstein.  Neuschwanstein was designed in the romantic interpretation of the Middle Ages that Ludwig admired.  The design was apparently conceived by a drawing from a theater set designer which was then given to an architect.  The construction continued until Ludwig's death.  Only one third of the interior was finished and he had only lived there a total of 6 months.  Six weeks after he died it was opened for tourism.

At the castle gate

The tour was short and sweet and it held the kid's attention.  The castle is absolutely huge (64,000 square feet), and we got to see the two floors that were finished and one that wasn't.  No pictures allowed inside either of the castles unfortunately.

After the tour we hiked a little further up the mountain to the Marienbrucke (Mary's bridge).  The bridge spans two high cliffs above a waterfall overlooking Neuschwanstein.  After snapping some pictures we hiked back down to the car and drove back to Garmisch. 

Neuschwanstein Castle from Mary's bridge

Saturday morning we packed up and drove to Innsbruck - about an hour drive through the mountains from Garmisch.  We walked the old town, but most of the stores and sites were closed surprisingly and the kids were worn our from the long week.  After lunch we drove back home to Graf.

Innsbruck