As you can see in the first two pictures below, summer in Germany is not always "summer" as we know it; however, no matter the weather, the Alps are incredible.
The best part about hiking in Germany is that there is a Biergarten every few kilometers and on top of every mountain peak. I think that the only reason that Germans go hiking is to have an excuse to drink. No joke.
Thirsty? How 'bout a frothy beer?! Hungry? Stop for schnitzel! Cold? A steaming hot chocolate will warm you right up!
As a nature purist, I had a lot of trouble getting used to the mountain-side-Biergarten-concept. But after gaining 1.5 kilometers in altitude over 10 kilometers on a chilly summer day, a steaming plate of Käsespätzle easily changed my attitude.
It's just amazes me that after so many brewskies, all hikers make it safely back down the trails.
This past weekend Steve, our friend Christian, and I hiked (well, more like conquered) the treacherous trail up to King Ludwig's hunting lodge, resting 5,628 feet above our point of origin.
First, we marveled over the Partnachklamm, a 700-meter long, deep-cut gorge in the middle of the Alps. Unfortunately, my pictures did not do it justice, so you only get to see one:
Then, about half-way through our climb up, we thought we were fast da. Discovering that we were only half-way was quite a disappointment. At that point we cursed Steve for wanting to fulfill his dream of visiting all of crazy King Ludwig's creations...but, we kept trudging on and on.
The views provided us with inspiration...
...and so did the wild life.
Finally...in the distance...we spotted the lodge!
(No, not the building in the foreground.)
Eventually, we made it, drank a Spezi, and went on a tour of the King's favorite birthday celebration destination. There was even a special surprise at the end of the tour! However, if you want to learn more and/or see the lodge, then you have to work as hard as we did to get there. Trust me, it's worth the effort.
the pic of you two is fabulous!:)
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