A hike in the Alps

[Barbara]

Today it would have been too hot but yesterday was a good day to drive South 1,5 hrs and first take the funicular from Spitzingsee, a small alpine lake:
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1497

On the way that takes about ten minutes you have already a fantastic view:

http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1498

And from the station - which is about 5200 feet high the hike started. It was about 3 hrs round trip and about 1000 ft of climbing- so not very stressful.
On the way you always meet some friendly natives:

http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1499

On all the walk you always hear their bells. And you have to avoid their droppings ;)

On a Saturday the paths will be rather busy.
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1500

There were many nice dogs who also did the hike. I even met one who was called Filou and didn't take a picture ;)

Here I am at the summit of Rotwand, about 6200 ft high. From there you have a panoramic view.
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1501
I also think I qualify for Kirsten's craziest-look thread;)

After the summit you go down and stop at the lodge- which is just a mountain place, so no elegant hotel but a place where you can stay over night in a big dormitory or have some beer and nice Alpine food (like lentil soup and cheese maccaroni Alpine style) before you walk down:
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1502

What you should see behind it if my camera was better is Austria's highest mountain, Großglockner, about 12500 ft high. I saw it's white top in a distance but you will have to believe me it was there.

[Alysser]

Gorgeous pictures :) I love picture with the cows. That's a rather steep mountain, wouldn't want to go tumbling down that :eek:

[karyn674]

Hi Barbara,

Wow! Amazing hike you did, thanks for sharing your photos.

You mentioned Austria in the background (lol! You made me laugh that I have to believe you the mountain is there:D). So this should be Bavaria right?
Last Dec/Jan my husband and I went to visit a friend in Oberammergau and I think I got hooked!!! Really enjoyed skiing, it was my first time ever to see snow!:o Loved the landscape and the mountains, the snow and the blessed stove and the beer!!!!
So I have good memories which you revived instantly with your pictures and also you showed me how diverse the landscape is in summer.

Thanks for sharing!

Karen

[phesina]

Beautiful photographs of gorgeous sights! Thank you!

[Marigold2]

I so loved the pictures. Made me long to be there again. Lived in Freiburg 30 years ago and loved it. Ohio is so bland conpared with the beauty of Europe.

[Barbara]

So this should be Bavaria right?
Last Dec/Jan my husband and I went to visit a friend in Oberammergau and I think I got hooked!!! Really enjoyed skiing, it was my first time ever to see snow!:o Loved the landscape and the mountains, the snow and the blessed stove and the beer!!!!



This is Bavaria Southeast of Munich, North of Austrian Tirol, rather West of Oberammergau:)

[Randi]

The pictures remind me of when we were visisting... is this far from where we were? It's an absolutely breathtaking scenery there, wish we had rivers and mountains.

Thanks for sharing.

[Barbara]

The pictures remind me of when we were visisting... is this far from where we were?
It's more in the East and a little bit more in the Alps;)

[lvpets2002]

:) Such Stunning Land Beauty.. Mother Nature at her best.. great pics thanks

[Kirsten]

How beautiful! :) Even though I'm not such a big fan of the alps, I think these pics are gorgeous! My respect for walking these steep trails! :)
I love the cows!

Kirsten

[Miss Z]

Those pictures are magnificent :D I would love to go to the Alps someday!

[gini]

http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1501

Oh, were you in this picture Barbara?

Seriously, absolutely beautiful scenery - and I loved the cows too!

[Sonia59]

Beautiful!
I love the cows too :)

[Sirrahsim]

That is so amazing!! I can't wait to move to Germany and be close to all that beauty!!!!! Only 6 months to go!

[sasvermont]

I can only assume you had hubby along with you, taking at least one of the photos!

I am not sure I could tackle the trails, however tame you claimed they were, since I am getting OLD and haven't been hiking much in the past year.

Thanks for sharing the photos! It looks as though you had a perfect day for the trip!
:love:

[momcat]

I absolutely love the mountains! A few years back I spent 6 glorious days visiting friends in the Colorado Rockies. Once you stand on top of a 14,000 foot mountain nothing else comes close.

Last May, my son spent 14 days in Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Venice with the International Scholar Laureate Program. He said they went back to Vienna from Venice through the Alps. He says the scenery was awesome and they didn't know where to look first. And yes, Mike said there were a lot of cows complete with their bells.

[Killearn Kitties]

Looks a wonderful day for it, Barbara. We had torrential rain on Saturday, you could hardly see 6 feet in front of you.

The cows are adorable! I am slightly disappointed that they are not those slightly purple Alpine cows though.

[karyn674]

He he! The Milka ad cows you mean??

[Killearn Kitties]

That kind of thing! :D

[Daisy and Delilah]

Those pictures are fantastic!! I think the scenery looks more beautiful than I have imagined. Thanks for sharing!!:)

[Edwina's Secretary]

Is it true Alpine cows have shorter legs on the uphill side?:D:D:D

I am, of course, insanely jealous....I'll trade you...:D;):D

[lizbud]

Great pictures Barbara. I admire your stamina.:) Although the menu
for an overnight stay sounded nice.:D

[RICHARD]

Barbara,

I have to tell you that I thought to myself, "What is Barbara doing hiking through the ABS"?

I thought about your cats and abdominal muscles before I thought of mountains?:eek:;)

I need to remember my glasses.

[cassiesmom]

How beautiful, and I love the cows, too!