Driving OVER the alps

It got a lot worse after we took this video, but I think we were too scared to make more videos. Nevertheless, I know my mom and Molly would've needed an Ativan for this drive. I had to stop and I don't usually get scared. It was about 3 hours of this type of road up and down the mountain.

Stopping just before we reached the top, where I peed in a field. No trees. Above the tree line.

A nice Italian man walking. Who would dress like that in America? Especially on a cliff, where someone could accidentally knock you off... I will sort of miss their formal clothing here. But I'm glad I don't have to wear it.

Luckily we did not see any cows. I might have crapped my pants.

You can tell these are not German roads. Some parts were really crumbly, and large sections had no guardrail, only stubby cement blocks, of which some were leaning precariously over the edge, appearing to have been tipped by a car careening to its demise. Adding to the fun were the motorcyclists who were unafraid to pass on blind curves.

Winter at the top. And then we went down...

Road Trip #2: Berchtesgaden and environs: The Alps.

Ok, this is documentation of a German Stau. Yes. People start getting out of their cars to chat with strangers. It was on my way home from work in Katterbach on Thursday but I had to share it. Now begins the roadtrip to Berchtesgaden, a little German town in the Alps, on the Austrian border. A perfect weather weekend, all around. This IS Germany. Not America. I know. Shocking. Bad Reichenhall, a little town just outside of Berchtesgaden. Super cute, and clean. I love aqua. Even just drains. Berchtesgaden.

Making wishes in the church. For happiness and peace mostly.

It was so quiet. I was the only one in there. They had nice music playing so I stayed a while and wrote in my journal.

In Germany they love Easter Trees. I might put one up next year in their honor.

In my pension, whic was 15E a night, including Fruhstuck. A totally amazing couple--- so sweet. The Frau had been born in the house and her sister still lived in town. We were able to talk a little about life and what's important (auf Deutsch) and it's funny how my German is coming along just as I am to leave.

View from my balcony.

Ditto.

In the morning, reflected in the door window.

I was quite enamored with my pension.

I am really going to miss Germany. It is part of my heart.

The Easter treee in my pension.

Signs of spring abound. It makes me happy to be alive too.

I am very happy hiking in the Alps. Near Ramsau. On Der Hintersee.

It was about a 3 hour hike. Pretty steep, but I loved it. My legs are bhappy. They like to work.

I got to the top and there were two 60ish year old ladies changing their shirts in front everyone. In their bras. I like that they have strange modesty levels here.

Sometimes it was really hard to see the "trail" but I did not get lost. My cell phone was dead so it would have been no use, but I figured you just go down, right?

My Frau urged me to go to Salzburg, so I did. It was my 3rd visit. I have not liked it yet. I don't think I will go back. But. No worries. Some places just aren't for everyone. But I like this sign. If I had my own shop, I would copy them.

Everything was under construction. And there were HOARDS of tourists.

I peed behind some trees here, in desperation.. I could not find a toilet.

Asian tourists always have huge cameras.

And this is why I don't watch TV.

I would likek to translate this when I have time.

Konigsee is uber-commercial. Sad.

But I liked these buildings.

Look, what is that? Not Natural. Luge tourist entertainment.

And so through the dark woods I walked home, happy, tired, feeling full of life and hope and wonder. And thankful for the experiences I've been given.