Garmisch, Goodbye
Friday, June 30, was our last full day in Germany, and what a great day it was. We decided to re-visit one of our favorite hikes at Kramerplateau. Lazy day, we hiked 50 minutes and then stopped for coffee at the Almhutte where we had parked. Then we went the other direction for another 50 minutes, ate lunch at a shelter where we had eaten on our first day of hiking, and returned to the 12’ by 30’ wading pool provided at the end of the trail. Two women sitting there showed us what we were supposed to do—take huge steps through the cold, cold water and walk around three times. Then we walked in the grass surrounding the pool three times to dry our feet off. If we wanted to, we could go through the same process again. Then the woman took our photo together!
Friday was also the day that Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup Competition, an unexpected victory. As you can imagine, the town went wild! Cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles honked their horns, young folks hung out car windows with the German flags flapping in the wind, and the cheering did not stop.
Our last meal was pork. We went to a new place across from our favorite Chinese restaurant, one recommended to us as having good Bavarian food. Mark ordered a pork knuckle, the biggest piece of meat he had ever been served with yeast dumplings and red cabbage. I ordered the Farmer’s Pan, a hot iron skillet with three kinds of pork, fried egg, and fried potatoes. I would not ordinarily order such a rich, fried meal, but I couldn’t resist.
As the sun set against the mountains, we noticed the pink Alpine glow; later as we walked to our hotel, we looked up and saw the new moon and stars. Because the rain storms generally held off until the late afternoon and evening during our prior days, it was the clearest night of our two week trip.
We are in Atlanta now, waiting for our flight to Tri-Cities where we will meet Brian before he heads to Peru for three weeks. Then we will drive two hours home to Pikeville and sleep in our own bed tonight.
Reflecting on this trip, we think it was the best hiking and outdoor vacation we have had. There’s something to say for being physically challenged and exhilarated, a sense of accomplishment. I did no training for this trip other than walking at home three times a week, and I used muscles I never knew I had. Bio-freeze, hot baths, and stretches helped me get ready for the next day of hiking.
Friday was also the day that Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup Competition, an unexpected victory. As you can imagine, the town went wild! Cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles honked their horns, young folks hung out car windows with the German flags flapping in the wind, and the cheering did not stop.
Our last meal was pork. We went to a new place across from our favorite Chinese restaurant, one recommended to us as having good Bavarian food. Mark ordered a pork knuckle, the biggest piece of meat he had ever been served with yeast dumplings and red cabbage. I ordered the Farmer’s Pan, a hot iron skillet with three kinds of pork, fried egg, and fried potatoes. I would not ordinarily order such a rich, fried meal, but I couldn’t resist.
As the sun set against the mountains, we noticed the pink Alpine glow; later as we walked to our hotel, we looked up and saw the new moon and stars. Because the rain storms generally held off until the late afternoon and evening during our prior days, it was the clearest night of our two week trip.
We are in Atlanta now, waiting for our flight to Tri-Cities where we will meet Brian before he heads to Peru for three weeks. Then we will drive two hours home to Pikeville and sleep in our own bed tonight.
Reflecting on this trip, we think it was the best hiking and outdoor vacation we have had. There’s something to say for being physically challenged and exhilarated, a sense of accomplishment. I did no training for this trip other than walking at home three times a week, and I used muscles I never knew I had. Bio-freeze, hot baths, and stretches helped me get ready for the next day of hiking.
posted by Kathy Sohn | 10:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home