Oberammergau II

We slept late and ate a light breakfast before heading out to check the cable car and ski lift. The cable car is closed until Christmas eve. The ski lift was working and people were coming down the mountain, but I am not sure I can do the lift. We will see.

Sunrise in the mountains.

We wandered all around the town on the "wanderwegs," These paths must be wonderful much of the year, but today were so icy in spots we found ourselves pelican-walking much of the time. Some of the paths followed the canal that gurgled its way through town. It was such a happy sound and drew many other walkers even in the chill of this winter day.

Clear wanderweg with canal to left.

Drainage canal.

DH looking down one of the canals. He would not laugh when I suggested a tube float.

Spot for wanderers to rest.

Waterfall along the canal.

On the far east side of town we ended up at the bottom of what appeared to be a ski slope. A family (including dog) was enjoying the morning sledding down the bottom few hundred feet of slope. We watched for a few minutes as they trudged up the hill and slid down bouncing over spots where the snow had been roughed up by earlier passes.

The day was overcast except for high in the mountains where the sun would sometimes shine on the snow covered slopes. It was a lovely walk, but long.




Mountains



and mountains

and mountains framed by evergreens

and more mountains framed by evergreens.

We headed across town, past the multiple falls on the canal, spying a crow which had snatched a fish out of the water (!). We passed the postman, paperboy and other villagers going on about their routines. We visited with the farmer who keeps horses and cattle in the barn next to our guesthouse.

We saw this crow (?) fish out a tiny fisch. We disturbed it and so...

...it flew away (with some difficulty) carrying its prize to a tree.

The train station (clearly the end of the line) showed us that the train went nowhere in our plans and we arrived back at our guesthouse after 2.5 hours walking and slipping and sliding (and devouring a pizza lunch!) to find the rest of our party had arrived.

Our evening walks were full of Christmas lights and ornaments, choirs and bands, sausage and wine in two city centers. The Cossack choir appeared in each town singing in Russian and German and drawing applause and cheers and at least one "Jawohl."

DH walking in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Christmas Market (note musician).

Market stalls with toys, Christmas trees, and Cossacks preparing in the background.

Cossack Choir (in G-P)

Brass group playing carols - we saw one of these guys earlier in line for something to drink.

Carver seen through the window in Oberammergau (during the market).

Donkeys waiting for Jesus, Mary and Joseph to show up. (We think these guys lived in the barn next to our guesthouse).

Have potato, electric drill and hot oil? Make fresh chips for the people.

Here they are - with an angel and St. Nick thrown in!

Yet another band playing above a store in Oberammergau.

Miscellaneous photos:

Reminder to "curb your hunde" or to visit der hundetoilette.



DH had focused on spots marked as hundetoilette. We found one. (I am missing my hunden)

Horses and wagon statue in Oberammergau.

Horses and wagon in Christmas Market in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I didn't realize I had these two photos until I discovered them - one taken right after the other.