In some ways our tour through the Alps has followed the Via Claudia Augusta, an ancient Roman road, to Reutte, Austria.We are taking the elevator “Top Line” up to view the Ehrenberg-Schlosskopf Castles.The Ehrenberg is the lower castle which was good defense until the invention of cannon balls. Notice the new long suspension bridge, which we did not pay for the privilege to cross over, to the Roman remnants of Fort Claudia on the other side of the valley.The Ehrenberg Castle was all decorated for Halloween/Christmas with nighttime lighting and filled with families enjoying a glorious Fall day .Via Claudia was the way over the Alps from Rome – improved in 15 BC for military use primarily. It extended all the way to the Danube River, where basically the Romans drew the line in the sand and ended their advance Northward. We visited a roman museum in Vienna.The upper Schlosskopf Castle was the more interesting and a pleasure on such a gorgeous day, high in the Alps.The museum told us all about travel in the middle ages and dragon slayers – men becoming knights. That process was not easy and they did not always get the fair maiden.This was a type of treadwheel crane to lift the blocks to build the castle. This type of crane was used since Roman times, but this upper castle was built around 1700.It was almost incomprehensible to imagine bringing that much stone this far above the Lech river valley.Stop horsing around! I will pick you up in Reutte…We drove by Mount Zugspitze. Germany’s tallest point at 9,700 Feet. We lingered and watched the clouds play as this will be our last real mountain day in the Alps.
We rent electric city bikes to ride around the Ammergau Alps Nature Park. This is Kofel Peak, which we can see the other side from our dining room window in Unterammergau.Whetstones for grinding mills were quarried and crafted in Unterammergau from this limestone. We are enjoying an especially nice day.The path leads us to what were royal hunting grounds and Bavarian King Ludwig II ‘s Linderhof Palace.Of course we needed to stop for coffee to contemplate the beauty of the gardens.The village of Graswang on the Linder river, a tributary to the Ammer – looks like a peaceful place to stop……Nice – A picnic bench to have our lunch.The route is not all paved but is level and easy to bike.Our next destination is Ettal, and the Benidictine Monastery.What a location for a beer garden! The monks at Ettal Abbey, established in 1330, have been brewing beer since 1609.
Oberammergau is known for their painted buildings and this one tells the story of Hansel and Gretel.Remember? The German Grimm Brother’s fairy tale where the abandoned siblings escape by pushing the wicked witch into the oven.Across the street is the Little Red Riding Hood house. “Where are you going little girl?” asks the hungry wolf.Is this the sickly grandmother or the wolf posing as her? “My what a deep voice you have…”Other buildings in Oberammergau tell of history like this one of life in 1775. Others have religious themes as the Passion Play is performed here every 10 years.This is across from our apartment in Unterammergau. It is the last Sunday in October and all are ready for a pilgrimage to a nearby chapel.Horses are the main focus this festival, who are blessed by Saint Leonhard, the patron saint of horses.The horses have braided mains and tails as well as ribbons and flowers. Blue and white are the colors of Bavaria.Of course there are marching bands – all are in traditional outfits with wonderful hats.The main square of Unterammergau is the final gathering point for all the bands to join together for a concert.This is one of four friendly llamas that live across from our apartment in Unterammergau.
We drove to nearby Grindelwald and took the Eiger Express gondola to see the Eiger, Monch, & Jungfrau. That is the Ogre with the Monk in between protecting the Young Maiden, or so the legend goes.The sun is just illuminating the ridges. Would you look at those glaciers?We start hiking down into the sunshine. That is the village of Murren nestled on the edge of the cliff behind me.We come across this place to take a break with a view of the Wetterhorn. That ridge far on the distant horizon is where we biked to yesterday: Gross ScheideggToday we are first heading to Kleine Scheidegg, nestled in this valley.The weather has warmed up nicely and I am thirsty!And we have worked up an appetite.Wow! This is a Swiss Rosti. A pile of potatoes, with bacon & melted cheese, topped with a fried egg. Hearty mountain hiking fare.We continue to enjoy the Eiger’s North Face and the Moch as we hike some more.As we hike down back to Grindlewald, we ask why some mountains are called “horns”? Seems that they have been carved by 3 glaciers which leaves the horn in the middle. To visualize, pick up 3 glasses in one hand – that empty space where the 3 meet is where the glaciers did not carve away the rock.The Eiger Express gondolas (hold 26 persons!) with the Wetterhorn. We are happy there is not a sanction out on us and that we have not run into Clint Eastwood or George Kennedy today. Ha Ha Ha. But we would have bought them a beer…Returning to Grindelwald on this how-could-it-be-better crystal clear fall day. Pure Satisfaction.
We rent some e-bikes and head out along the back roads of Meiringen towards Brienz.Friends living near by join us at Brienzersee.Udder-ly delightful.Enjoying the love and warmth at a coffee shop.We are ready to tackle the Rosenlaui Valley as we head up the pass.Swapping photos as we enjoy the company of our friends – they suggested this route as they have ridden it several times.We stopped at Schwarzwaldale for some soup to fortify us for the rest of the climb. The Wetterhorn is coming out of the clouds and joining us on this colorful autumn day.STOP! And lets get a picture of that!!! Very imposing.The final assent to the Grosse Scheidegg, with lots of sunshine.Still smiling on the final switchback to reach the summit of Grosse Scheidegg.This is the incredible route we have climbed – around 4,500-feet. Very glad to have had an electric bike!Enjoying being on top of the pass with views in all directions. A well deserved summit.Time to celebrate!!!Ready to fly down to Meiringen…
Sunrise from our apartment in Meiringen, Switzerland – the start of a beautiful day!Listening to some deductive reasoning in Conan Doyle Place from Sherlock Holmes. Elementary, my dear Watson…Conan visited Meiringen and he came to use nearby Reichenbach Falls in “The Final Problem”.Correct reproduction from original blue prints of 221B Baker Street, the parlor of Sherlock-Holmes. The museum gives us details of Conan, Sherlock, and Watson as well as artifacts from that era.Reyna Bistro Cafe – time for a coffee break!Cable Car up to Reuti is included in our Haslital visitor card so we rode up for a look back on the town and……We walked the Panorama-Weg, enjoying the countryside and views of Wetterhorn mountain.Zooming in on the beautiful Wetterhorn and it’s glacier.The Swiss precisely stack their firewood so that it is a work of art.Cows are hanging around Badesee – the lake is a reflecting mirror pond this afternoon.This little restaurant on Badesee is open today – tomorrow it closes for the season – we are able to enjoy some hot food and the pleasant fall day.It was about a 2-mile hike to Badesee form the cable car – a great leisurely destination. We retraced our route back home.Another great apartment – this was perhaps our largest and very comfy! Time to enjoy the balcony.
We took a train car ferry through the Lotschbergtunnel, which cut through the Alps. Amazing. Just drive our car onto a flatbed train car and get whizzed through the tunnel while we stayed in the car.The capitol city of Bern was lovely!A pleasant day for strolling.This is the Archeology Museum which has an entire floor dedicated to a famous patent official’s life story……Einstein! We saw many of his original documents and learned more about his theory’s in the Museum.We also visited the Paul Klee Center to learn more about his Bauhaus years and art influence. We also appreciated the interesting architecture by Italian Renzo Piano.Oh, and there was some Swiss Chocolate!Another day trip was to Luzern with its historic old bridges.Beautifully maintained for over 1,000 years.The Town Hall Hotel des Balances on the main square was beautifully painted as were many other buildings.On the other side of the bay is the Swiss National Transport Museum. There were 5 buildings: Trains, Cars, Ships, Air, Space as well as a large exhibit on energy.This is similar to the Smithsonian Air and Space – we learned the history and how everything operated. It is a very hands on museum with many activities to keep children of all ages busy for hours.A Moon Rock and the flag that was taken to the moon on Apollo XVII in 1972. Very cool that this “was given as a symbol of unity of the human endeavor and carries with it the hope of the American people for a world at peace.”Special felt slippers were needed to walk on this “Livemap of Switzerland”. Pointing to where we are staying in Meiringen, near Interlaken (town between those two big lakes).
We took the Kreuzboden gondola from our town to enjoy the views….hopefully.We spent several hours watching the clouds play on the mountains, while we played on the lake.A fun little waterfall on the Yoga/Wellness weg/trail.Enjoying the gorgeous peaks!Is this the Weissmies behind me? I am swinging on a fun suspension bridge across a ravine.Loved the colorful lichen covered rocks. A bright lime green in the sunshine. The sun shines – yeah!Our penthouse apartment in the center of town is a relaxing retreat!
