Here's a map to help you see where we are going on our "day trip" today. (For those of you just joining us, it is the year 1981, and we were in Munich and have just overnighted in Salzburg. Click here for further info.)
We are heading to Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinstrabe) which is the luxurious living quarters of Hitler way up on the top of Kehlstein (a mountain). The house was built for Hitler by his treasurer as a birthday present. Here is a picture of it from the town of Berchtesgaden looking up. (I circled where it is at the peak of the mountain.)Here it is from the top looking down:The mountain road leading up to it is about 13 feet wide, ascends a total distance of 2330 ft and passes through 5 tunnels. Long story short: It was one scary bus ride, but an unbelievably gorgeous view once you reach the top.
Tomorrow: A wonderful romp through Hellbrunn Park--the home of a rather unconventional Archbishop who had a very unique sense of humor.
I started reading a biography of Hitler once, but finally decided I didn't wanna spend my summer with a guy like him. Beautiful views tho! That tightly-curved road looks similar to the one that Grace Kelly died on--tight, tight curves. Amazing they can get those buses around that piece of road in the photo!
Short of making a real-life trip across the pond to such places, I actually learned a ton of WWII history from Bodie and Brock Thoene's Zion books. Stuff they kinda forgot to mention in school. Great works, those. Did you have this trip all planned out before you went, or didja just kinda go with a random plan and bop from place to place?
We knew what our destinations were, but we didn't know where we were staying. So at each train stop the first order of business was to find the Youth Hostel.
Was a bit stressful, but hey, were we 20. We could handle it! No way would I do that now.
5 Comments:
Barb said...
I started reading a biography of Hitler once, but finally decided I didn't wanna spend my summer with a guy like him. Beautiful views tho! That tightly-curved road looks similar to the one that Grace Kelly died on--tight, tight curves. Amazing they can get those buses around that piece of road in the photo!
12:49 PM
Deeanne said...
I remember being shocked that his "nest" was a "tourist attraction," then decided it was also a slice of history. I'm not sorry I went.
I have to say, though, riding that bus was the one time I was sorry I had a window seat!
1:46 PM
Barb said...
Short of making a real-life trip across the pond to such places, I actually learned a ton of WWII history from Bodie and Brock Thoene's Zion books. Stuff they kinda forgot to mention in school. Great works, those.
Did you have this trip all planned out before you went, or didja just kinda go with a random plan and bop from place to place?
5:48 PM
Deeanne said...
We knew what our destinations were, but we didn't know where we were staying. So at each train stop the first order of business was to find the Youth Hostel.
Was a bit stressful, but hey, were we 20. We could handle it! No way would I do that now.
11:41 AM
Jezreel said...
Wow that's gorgeous up there!! Man, I look around where I live and all I see is brown and white. Hardly ever green like that. Wow.
6:28 PM
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