Europe Day 3 - Garmisch

Saturday, June 24, 2018 (Liz)

• Woke up SUPER early (2:30 for Liz, 4:30 for Mark and Hugo), most of the rest of the family was awake in the 2:00 hour also due to jet lag
• Liz went for a run and enjoyed the scenery
• First destination: the river and surrounding area where Leslie and Dale played frequently as kids. Mark remembers it but was too young to do a lot of playing there.
• Climbed up several large rocks (some with names) that they had climbed as children
• Wild tiny strawberries - much more tart than sweet
• a natural barrier has been constructed there now so you can't see their old military housing from the area
• 2nd Destination: Military base. Mark's dad convinced them to let us go in so the kids could see their old house. But first we had to sign our lives away and give them our passports. Additionally, Mark saw his old preschool and the older kids saw their old school building.
• Brief stop at the AirBNB to find a simple lunch - most of us ended up with pizza slices - nothing too special
• Final stop: hiking in the Garmisch mountains
• Took a tram up to a peak called Alpspitz - explored up there first. Tram ride was a bit terrifying. So far above the ground. Most of us went out on a platform out beyond the peak with metal grates. Had lots of great places to stage photos. Lots of parasailers around.
• Then hiked 4 km over to another peak called Kreuzeck. Mostly downhill (2000 ft). It was rough on the ankles, especially with Hugo on my back. Wildflowers, beautiful views, moutain bikers going up
• Just over halfway through stopped at a restaurant for Germknödel, a dumpling with plum sauce on the inside and warm vanilla sauce on the outside. The Abersold kids all love it. I thought it was okay but I probably wouldn't order one again. But it was nice and warm and it was chilly in the mountains so the warmth was welcome.
• Hugo was asleep for most of our hike - worried he won't sleep all night as a result
• Went down the mountain from the lower peak in a gondola. Nice view and saw some sheep and goats on the way down.
• Dinner with Kurt and Dale- very mediocre especially compared to Friday's resturant.
• Mark had a farmer's pan with various meats, sauerkraut, potato, and horseradish
• Liz had some pork/gravy with red cabbage and potato dumpling
• Hugo ate quite a bit off our plates but then totally zonked before we left
• World cup game going on - Germany vs Sweden. We watched from our airbnb and heard cheering from outside

Garmisch scenery from Liz's run

Typical Garmisch house with fake cow out front

Tiny wild strawberries!

Abersold kids on a rock they named 35 years ago. I don't know what the name is.

Garmisch is so scenic

Mark lived here as a very small child.

View while going up the tram

Dale signed the guestbook at Alpspitz

 View from the crazy lookout bridge at Alpspitz. Liz refused to go all the way out.

 But Mark enjoyed it.

He even laid down on the bridge!

 Scenery on our hike

Germknudel!

Hugo slept through the beautiful scenery on our hike.

Gondola selfie. Unfortunately Leslie and Dixon got cut out.

Farmer's pan dinner. Mediocre at best.