The Laber

What to do on Christmas day? Where to go? What to see?

We walked to the edge of town, down the still ice-slick path along the gurgling canal now higher than before with even more melting run-off from last week's snow. It has been unusually warm and the snow will soon be gone.

The signs had said the Laber Bergbahn would be open on Christmas day. And it was. We were not the first on line, but were still early enough to avoid the crowds we would see later. The bergbahn is a small cable car (the translation into English is rope-way!).

Walking paths on der Laber (too much snow to walk the wanderwegs)

Ski routes on der Laber (too little snow to ski)

We head back down the wanderweg towards the Laber.

The canal has swollen with the increased snow-melt

Leaving the station

Oberammergau melts away

Only small spots of snow still under the cable car.

The Laber Mountain lies between Oberammergau and Ettal. From the top of the Laber one can see to Munich in one direction and beyond the Zugspitz (the tallest mountain in Germany) to Austria in the other (on a clear day, of course). We were blessed with another clear day.

We shared our ride up with four travelers from western Australia. They have been traveling for three months across Europe and were game for any suggestion. We took photos with them and wished them safe travels as we parted.

At higher altitudes we start to see a little more snow.

This sign reads "This stoppage is a normal consequence of operation." We are about half-way up and we stop until another car comes to "counterbalance" us. We swing a little in the breeze.

Moving up again.

The wind picked up while we were atop the mountain and, after a few snowballs were thrown, we headed inside the small cafe for perhaps the best cup of coffee we have enjoyed on our travels.




View from the top towards Ettal.



Playing in the snow.



We can see Munich in the distance (and later a skier came striding out of those trees).



Windsock indicates a stiff breeze.

Bird feeder on the railing.



Time to go...long before the last car.

Our trip down the mountain was "off schedule" we believe to counterbalance other cars coming up - FILLED with passengers. We suspect those were the wise people who reserved tables in the cafe for Christmas dinner atop the Laber.


Amazing pine tree forest.



We were the counterbalance for this car FULL of people.

We had other plans. Our party returned to Garmisch to dine with other Americans at a last recreational outpost for troops in Europe. It was odd to be surrounded by "English" signs and directions and menus and speakers.

We toasted the company and the day before returning to plan what will be our last non-travel day here. We were able to chat online with the rest of the family.



Back in our room, we have a Christmas chat with the rest of the family.

[Tonight DH and I walked the quiet streets discussing our separate plans - I will not ski tomorrow - checking store opening times for a little shopping - only later did we discover that nothing is open on the 26th - Boxing Day. We are greeted with "Gruss Gott" by the people we do pass. Even the children on their bikes nod and speak this phrase to strangers.]


Notes:

1. http://www.laber-bergbahn.de/en/
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BC%C3%9F_Gott