After forty plus years we finally make it to the top

Where eagles dare

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This guy was in the process of dive bombing something but moved so fast we couldn't see whether he succeeded or not. Hunting must've been good because there were plenty of his brethren buzzing around.

Finally I get one in the center of the shot

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Trying to take pictures of these guys is like playing a video game. You have to be lightning quick and a good guesser because they change direction so easily.

Back down the mountain

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Our return bus ride took us back through another layer of clouds. It seemed like it was destined to be an ugly day back on Earth but by noon there was barely a cloud in the sky.

Searching for some summer sledding action but this is hard core

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We looked all over the Obersalzburg for the Sommer Rodelbahn track that was supposed to be in Berchtesgaden. Our GPS unit indicated it was here but instead we found the headquarters for the German Olympic bobsled team. Maybe the BMW sponsorship threw our car's Sat Nav off a bit.

Entrance to the system for the anti-aircraft defense and communications center

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Our quest to find the alpine rollercoaster took us to the other end of the mountain right below the site of where Hitler's Berghof home once stood. Hidden away off a narrow little road we stumbled upon this part of the intricate underground bunker system. It connected to miles of corriders leading to the bomb shelters of major Nazi party members living in Berchtesgaden.

Another part of the old Nazi complex on the Obersalzberg

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Now a country club after the US military recreation center closed, this area began life as an experimental farm that the Gestapo built with the intent of raising enough food to feed everyone in Hitlerland. Like most of the Nazi's ambitious projects, it failed miserably.

For a minute I thought we found it

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Alas, the ski school did have chairlifts but none were operating and there were no other signs of the Rodelbahn being in this area. The next day when we left Berchtesgaden we figured out that the chairlift to the Rodelbahn was at the bottom of the mountain and apparently closed for the season.

Spinach Spätzle

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I couldn't finish this delicious "snack". So much cheesy goodness.

Behind the scenes

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This is the opposite side view of this major tourist site. See if you can guess what the more famous photo spot looks like.

Just another Sunday walk in the park

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As we walked through the narrow street of Ramsau we encountered this group returning from church then heading out for a walk in the countryside.

Why would you need a pool when you have this in your backyard?

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I'd be in those freezing cold creek waters anytime the temperature went over 80 degrees. Clean, fresh mountain water with an extremely strong current.

Something to keep in mind

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All over Bavaria little places like this rent out rooms and include a free breakfast at rates significantly lower than hotels. Often you can get a nice ultra-clean private room and bath with a fabulous breakfast for under $40 a night. The catch is that you either book online sight unseen or wait until you get to Germany where you take a chance that the room is unavailable. Sometimes you have complete privacy. Sometimes you sleep nest door to the homeowner and share the same bathroom.

Here's the photo we all know and love

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This scene is depicted on postcards, travel guides, jigsaw puzzles, travel posters and souvenirs. It's photographed during all 4 seasons and looks beautiful every time. This was the first time we saw the church without snow.

Another WWII memorial

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This plaque is just outside the walls of Ramsau's church cemetery. As the tide turned against Germany the numbers greatly increased.

Inside the graveyard of Ramsau's St. Sebastian's church

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This is the most amazing and artistic graveyard I've ever experienced. And the exhibits seem to change each time we visit.