Der Zugspitze

Our walk today was a quick one - through the parkplatz to the train. We were going to the top of Germany - and hoping for clear weather.

The train passed through picturesque towns, still snow-covered. We stopped along the way picking up other travelers and skiers. and we took the short cable car trip to the top. Well, almost to the top. We still had a series of stairs to climb.



The train up to the cable car.

Even we can follow this diagram.

Train continues fo fill up.

Out the windw we can see the cable for the cable car. Look closely and see a car just above the trees.

 

View of the mountains as we go up in the cable car.

View of the mountais and the cable.

I felt the altitude, or the cold, or the weariness of many stairs over the past week and lagged behind the rest.

The wind was blowing hard - moving the loose snow. The pavement was icy-slick in spots. But a hundred or more people were already at the summit of the Zugspitze - some taking photos, some trying to stop their children from running, some walking their dogs, but all as thrilled as we were that it was a clear bright day and we could see "forever."

Not a fan of heights, I still managed to observe the sights without venturing too close to the edge.

It was beautiful.

At the top of Germany. Everyone is looking out or taking photos.

The cross marks the summit.

It is hard for me to stand at the railing.

 

But I do.

Diagram tells us where we are.

Christmas tree in the coffee shop. It looked a little crazy with one giant gold decoration among smaller silver...

We stopped for coffee and conversation in the summit restaurant, then (after a rude "Is impossible!" from a man on the Austrian side) traveled down the mountain on a different, seemingly smaller and much longer cable car. The final train leg was fast - I suppose it makes sense that it is faster coming down.

It seemed to me that, while beautiful at the top, the cable cars may have been the part of the trip that is most exciting and give the best views.

[I am not sure if it is recorded throughout, but there was a theme running through each day - adventure followed by a cup of rich German coffee.]

Getting on the smaller cable car down.

Hang on.

Here we go.

DH looking out the window of thr cable car.

View of the mountains out the window.

Headed down the mountain.

Moving fast.

Lake is getting closer. We are almost down.

Out the window of our final train ride back. The curve of the railroad track can be seen on the left (and maybe a glimpse of the engine).

Notes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugspitze