Sat, June 29 - Drive to Fussen

Still raining.  Most of the day  spent driving the Alpine Road to Garmish…views of the gorgeous mountains.  

From left to right starting at the top:

Konigsschloss Hohenschwangau, Konigsschloss Neuschstein
Tegelbergbahn, 800 - 1700 m, Fussen am Lech
Wallfahrtskirche "Die Wies", Echelsbacher Hochbrucke
Passionsspieldorf Oberammergau, Benediktinerkloster Ettal
Konigsschloss Linderhof, Garmish-PartenKirchen

Mary was driving and was hit by another car when she failed to yield.  It dented the side door.  The other car was driven by a British couple, so easy to communicate.  In fairness to Mary, the other road was coming down a hill on the passenger side almost parallel to our road, so was impossible to see a car coming down.  The yield sign should be on that other road.

Stopped at a waterfall and got to view Neuschwanstein castle from the valley below – most beautiful castle ever!  

Drove to Fussen in the valley near the castle.  The castle was beautiful.  We stayed in a beautiful, old pension (Hotel Garni), 

with rustic rooms.  There was a large lawn, so we had fun playing ball and Frisbee with Josh. 

Feeding the goats in a nearby pasture. 

Sunday June 30 – Neuschwannstein and Zugspitze

Toured Neuschwanstein castle.  Sunny weather.  Gorgeous inside and out.  

There were also views of Hohenschwangau, King Ludwig II childhood home, from the town of Fussen and from Neuschwannstein. 

Paul took a walk up a trail behind the Neuschwanstein where there were waterfalls and spectacular views of the castle. 

The Reutte Valley in Austria.  It could be seen from Neuschwanstein.   

More driving and views of the Austrian Alps.

Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany at 9,717 feet and took the cable car up to the top (from the Austrian side).  Breathtaking views.  

The border between Austria and Germany runs through the top of the mountain and there is a border crossing at the top, but no longer in use. 

We stayed at the Wilhelms-Hof guest house in the Austrian town of Ehrwald (or Ehlback).  The hotel was at the base of the mountain in the shadow of Zugspitze.  The hotel had a nice room and a playground with swings, teeter totter, and small merry-go-round.   Josh loved it. 

Josh, however, had a rough night.  The room was heavily perfumed with either cleaning agents or just fragrance.  Josh probably had an allergic reaction because as long as he was outside he was ok.  Mary and Josh ended up sleeping on the patio in lounge chairs with comforters.  

Monday July 1 – Partnachklamm and off to Rothenberg oder Tauber

Sunny day.  We got a late start, the re-visited Partnachklamm Gorge which was now open.  A great walk along the river through the 3400 foot long gorge, between 260 foot high walls.  Walked under waterfalls, through tunnels and under overhangs.  There must be photos somewhere but we couldn't find any, so none here.  Too bad, because it was beautiful 

Then it was lunch in a park in Garmisch after buying food from the meat market, bakery, and fruit market.

We are driving the Romantic Road. 

Then drove on towards Rothenberg though beautiful Bavarian towns and the countryside.  We would occasionally see McDonald restaurants along the way.  They were always in the local Alpine type architecture…making them rather quaint and not so garish in the beautiful countryside. We stopped in Dinkelsbuhl...

 We stopped at Harburg castle which looked incredible but was closed.

 Arrived in Rothenberg late, had dinner and then went to a carnival.  

Tuesday July 2 – Rothenberg oder Tauber

Rothenberg is a medieval walled city, walls still intact.  Everything within the city walls was required to be in 13th/14th century architecture so it was very pretty.  

The town square...

and views from the top of the city hall tower (a lot of steps). 

Walking the wall.  

Josh walked the whole time without being carried.  

Ate at McDonalds again.  Seems we eat at MccDonalds at least once a day…burger (remove the bun), French fries and cup of applesauce.  In the Middle Ages the shops had little interesting iron signs that depicted the nature of the business (e.g., a pharmacy would have a mortar and pestle).  The McDonalds has a cute little iron and gold sign…the gold being the Golden Arches.  

We also found a playground for Josh.  

Both kids are traveling very well for the most part.  

We  are now driving the Romantic Road.  Stopped at and explored Schloss (castle) Meselbrunn, a moated castle.  

Then it was onto Erica’s parents’ house in Weiterstadt.