Garmisch, Germany

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I know that many of you may never have heard of Garmisch, Germany. I hadn't either until a couple of years ago. It is the home of the Olympics Ski Jumps a few years ago, holds the tallest elevation in Germany (about one-fourth mile from where I am staying), and is where the Army has a MWR (morale, welfare, recreation) facility. Active, Reserve, and retired military personnel as well as DOD civilians and contractors can stay here at Edelweiss Resort and Lodge. Edelweiss is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, flowing rivers, and lush forestry. The amenities are basic and a little paltry, but very doable. They put me in an ADA room (is someone trying to tell me something) so I have a room with lots of moving around space and a handicapped equipped shower and bathroom. It took me a while to figure out how to turn the light on in the bathroom; the floor is built to respond to a wheelchair rolling on it and automatically turns on the light.

It took a out 8 hours to get from Berlin to Garmisch via Munich by train. The first thing I did upon my arrival was launder my clothes from the past two weeks. Yesterday, I took the tour to Neuschweinstein Castle and to this church in Weil?something or other. The ride along the countryside was breathtaking (the views and the zigzag ride itself) and the tour castle and church was unlike anything I've ever seen. They were both very ornately decorated and so full of history. I can't wait to share my pictures. You can also google the castle to see pictures of it. I also met some of the neatest people who were also on the tour and we shared lunch together and some of the latter portio of that evening. After the tour, we returned to Edelweiss and I went to the gym for a workout, to their dry sauna and steam room, and then sat in the outdoors hot tub in 40 degree weather, with rain drops falling on me while I stared at the snow-capped mountains with the clouds going through the mountains. Heavenly! Today, I walked into the town of Garmisch to the train station (about a 50 minute walk) and took the train to Munich. I spent about three hours in Munich where I hung out in their street market (Ron, you would have loved this - full of fresh veggies and fruit of all kinds and from everywhere) and in the shopping extraordinaire place called Marienplatz. I am now on my way back to Edelweiss where I hope to repeat the same kind of evening I had last night. Eventually, I'm going to get around to reading this book I bought on "purposefullness." I really do want to determine my purpose in life (it HAS to be for more than just raising Byron and Eric) but for now, travel and time away from work and the everyday stressors of life is good enough for me. Travel by Eurailpass is so easy; buy the pass, get a train timetable, and Europe is yours to enjoy! I also have time to think about where I am in life and where I want to go; I haven't determined either one yet but I'm sure that at some moment I will experience that great "Aha" moment.

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