What a GLORIOUS schedule! So we decided to take advantage of it, since we just found out the schedule is changing yet again (been an on-going process) and instead of working a 7 on 7 off schedule... it will now be a 5 on 5 off 2 on 2 off schedule...
This week took us to Garmisch, in the southeast of Germany nestled in between the mountains... and then a day trip to Strasbourg, France. We're still getting used to being able to take Chubs with us everywhere... The Europeans love their pets, and they are accepted virtually everywhere... restaurants, hotels, shops... Unfortunately we did stay at a US Armed Forces resort, so since it was a US installation where dogs aren't as openly accepted... Chubs missed out on Garmisch.
We were really excited for snow, and lots of it down in the mountain region... but as we were driving down we kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Eventually we realized that it just wasn't going to happen... there was just a little bit of snow atop the mountains and that is all the snow we got. Sorry... no snowman this trip...
We were able to check out the
Gorge... a beautiful formation of rocks with a river running right through the middle... and even though neither of us are Geological buffs, we were able to appreciate the raw beauty of nature.
After the 20 minute or so walk through the Gorge, we had the option of either returning the same way we came (BORING!!!) or we could venture up into the mountains... hike around for a bit... and then come back a different way. Of course we opted for the different route back, and not having brought supplies for an actual hike I assured Andrea that it "won't be that long." MAN! Don't you think we'd both know better than that by now...
We set off hiking up the mountainside, got to the top of the first mountain with a pretty nice view, but I wanted to get to the OTHER mountain... so we went back down the mountain, across the river (over the river and through the woods...) and up the mountain on the other side... By now, we're both getting thirsty and hungry... and we have no idea where civilization is... unless of course we just go back down through the gorge, but we all know that's not an option.
We found ourselves atop a mountain, with very little around, and not many options but to go down a different path which appeared to be leading down the side of the mountain... After realizing that this path was a BIT slippery (rain and snow covered leaves littered the path), we took our time going down and followed the signs to what we thought was the parking lot. Unbeknown to us, until we got there, we hiked right back up the first mountain and reached the top of the trail that conveniently spit us out right next to a cable car taking us down to the bottom.
Along the way we did get some pretty cool views, a view of the gorge some 80 meters up from the Eiserne Brücke and just some very peaceful surroundings. The hike probably ended up taking us about 3 some hours, and by the end we were both pretty hungry and thirsty, but it was fun.
We explored the Olympic Ski Stadium once we got back to the car... and then wandered around downtown Garmisch.
Even without the snow, we were able to make the most of it... and it was a nice relaxing getaway...
Strasbourg is a pretty cool city... it is what I imagine when I think of a European city, cobblestone roads, colorful buildings along the wall... and AWESOME beer... Grimbergen De Noel is the best beer I've had so far in my short life, and I had it in Strasbourg... definitely made the trip worthwhile... RIGHT?!?!
We missed the chiming of the astronomical clock in Strasbourg, although I've been told by some folks we didn't miss much since it is one of the top 5 most disappointing sights in Europe. It's just very cool to walk around and see the history, and think about the fact that a lot of these buildings are older than our country.
Strasbourg was busy preparing for their Christmas market, which starts in a few days... so that'll definitely be on our list of things to check out... CHRISTMAS MARKETS!!!
