12-28-10 Mountaintops

I awakened to the sound of someone rustling around, then a soft whisper of “If you need me, I’ll be in the lobby reading.” Realizing that it was Emilee and she was already up and around, I decided I’d better open my eyes and try to get myself moving, too. Emilee wasn’t planning to go with Alan and I to Zugspitz, the highest mountaintop in Germany. Not that she didn’t want to, it’s just that she has a book report due in a couple days and is still reading the book. Looking at the other bed, I could see that Alan hadn’t stirred yet, so that allayed my guilt of being lazy and wasting away my day…somewhat. I was motivated to get up, though, because I remembered that I had a view awaiting me out my window. Through the curtains I couldn’t see white, so I prepared to be very disappointed that we’d driven all this way only to not have snow on the mountains. INSTEAD, what I did see was a field of snow, many wooden huts, and a mountain covered with evergreen trees that did indeed have snow on them! I had to pinch myself a couple times to know it was all real. Once again grabbing my camera, I changed my lens to my new telephoto. I captured cross country skiers, downhill skiers, people riding bikes in the snow, walking dogs in the snow, and couples walking with snowshoes – real snowshoes, like the kind I’d seen in books! Once I even photographed a cogwheel train passing by on its journey up to Zugspitz. Now very motivated, I showered, dressed, and prepared to go to Zugspitz. Alan, probably hearing me rustling around, also started slowly stirring. By the time I had dried my hair and put on my makeup, Alan had showered and dressed and was ready to go, although I will honestly say he didn’t look overly thrilled. However, Emilee returned from the lobby about this time and said she’d decided to go with us. I was so glad. I knew that would not only make Alan much happier, but it would make for more fun for all of us!

The train station for Zugspitz wasn’t far away – ten minutes most. But after we parked and were walking up the hill to the station, the train arrived….and departed. Next train: 1 hour. No way were we going to wait an hour. So we forked out a very hefty 38 euros each for a cable car ride up and return down the mountain. It did save us a lot of time, though, because the train only traveled to the lower levels and then you had to take a cable car the rest of the way.
The temperature at the top was -12 degrees Celsius, roughly 15 degrees Fahrenheit. (You know, I think Fahrenheit sounds like a German word, so why don’t they use Fahrenheit in Germany?) There were clouds in the distance so we couldn’t see Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, as it is rumored you can on a clear day. But we certainly could see some beautiful sights! I walked the perimeter of the ‘fence’ and took photos, with the thought of perhaps being able to make a panoramic photo. BUT when I reached one area, an area unobstructed from any buildings, the wind picked up markedly and stung my face. Tears started rolling down my face and I thought they might even turn to icicles if I stayed much longer. I absolutely couldn’t! I was in pain, it was so cold. Walking back, I thought I would run into Emilee and Alan. I didn’t, so I checked inside the building which housed a restaurant, bar, gift shop, small museum, and bathrooms. They were nowhere to be found. Could they have gone back down without telling me? I decided to go back outside and check once more. There they were! Over by the corner with the biting wind! How had I missed them?
Emilee asked me to go get us a table at the restaurant, so I ventured inside only to find the restaurant packed and another group waiting. But, there were a couple tables clearing out. I quickly went to one and slipped in as the other group was slipping out. It was such a large table, that later a group of Frenchmen asked if they could join us.

They did….and we discovered that they were not so much different than us – they had their iPhones out and were heavily involved in discussions about something on the phone! A bit of Lowenbrau, Radler (Alan), and spatzle with Rouladen/Schnitzel/Chicken, and we were warmed up!

While sitting at lunch, the snow clouds moved in and we could hardly see the mountains anymore. But I discovered where Alan and Emilee had been when I couldn’t find them – out on another point that you reached by walking through another hut. I just had to go see that point, so we set out for that location, this time braving the snow and even colder winds. A couple quick shots and we were outta there!

Heading back to Edelweiss, Emilee asked if I wanted to go into town. Earlier I had suggested that they could drop me off and they could go back to the hotel – Emilee to study and Alan to nap. But Emilee wanted to shop with me. While Alan napped, Emilee and I drove out to see the Olympic ski jump in Partenkirschen, then back to Garmish to shop. As we walked, dusk set in and the lights of the town came on. It was BEAUTIFUL! Nothing caught my eye to buy….well, nothing I could afford. So I drank my way through the town with hot Gluhwein! There were Gluhwein huts all over the pedestrian walkways! One more mug to add to my collection, then it was time to go ‘home’.
Waking Alan from his nap, Emilee asked if he wanted to eat at the restaurant downstairs. He did, so they set off to make reservations while I stayed up here downloading photos from my camera. In the amount of time it took me to do that, it was time to eat! Because it was an American restaurant in actuality, I veered from my usual German fare – French onion soup and apple walnut salad. Both were good but truly I wasn’t that hungry. I have eaten more in the last three days than in the last three months, I think! HCG, here I come! But only after I have a B-52 coffee with decaf: 3 different liquors, whipped cream, and coffee. Was it good…and strong!
My last task of the day is to update my blog. That’s what I am doing now. However, it won’t be posted until tomorrow, or even perhaps the next day, as it costs (dearly) to use the Internet at Edelweiss. So, until tomorrow, cheers!