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A complete loss
Street side view of Gästehaus HaagA quick weekend in Tirol
"Saturday, July 19, 2003 - part 1"
Waking up at 7AM, I have a dry mouth and a slight throb in my head thanks to a few more pilsner's than I anticipated (I had stopped off at my local bar for dinner and a couple of beers, after finishing I decided to take a walk through town and get an ice cream. It was this mistake that proved to be my downfall, as I ran into some friends who persuaded me to go back to the bar for "one more".). After shaking off the effects of the previous evening, I jumped in the shower and did one last check to make sure I had all my supplies for the trip. Then it was time to get on the road. Heading south in my trusty A4, tunes blaring, mind emptying, I looked forward to a brief but relaxing weekend. Everything went fine until I got close to the German border, when my navigation system told me that I had arrived in the general area and the map stopped. I had in my diminished state of awareness this morning, forgotten to switch the German navigation CD to Europe, after a quick scramble I was back on my way. After 20 minutes of winding through the woods and hills of the beginning of the Alps, I found my destination of Ehrwald.
"Saturday, July 19, 2003 - part 2"
Upon arriving in town, I stopped at the local tourist office to get directions to my room, and some information on the area. The lady at the office was very friendly and spoke good English. After gathering some reading material, I headed to the Gasthaus Haag. The lady of the house greeted me and didn't speak a word of English, luckily her son was around who spoke English. It turns out, despite me having my collegue call and confirm my reservation that they didn't show me having a room. No problem, as they had some available. Up to my room, which was small, spartan, but offered a place to sleep and some fantastic views oft he surrounding mountains from the balcony. I lay down on the bed and read some of the brochures. It was then time to get up and jump on the bike. I rode into town to get a lie of the land for the evening, and then it was off up into the mountains. The road out of town wasn't so bad, and I managed to climb it without getting out of my seat. I arrived at the cable car building and had a decision to make - take the cable car with my bike, or keep peddling. The fact that senior citizens were pumping up the hill made me decide to keep going....nothing like letting your ego make decisions for your body.... Climbing, climbing, climbing, legs burning, sweat pouring, lungs bursting...God am I out of shape. I had to stop about every 100m to take pictures (or to catch my wind and allow my legs to recover - you be the judge)...I finally made it to somewhere between 1600-1800m, a vertical climb of 600-800m at an obscene grade - at least the downhill would be fun....I found a comfortable spot in the meadow and collapsed to relax for a while. I took the time to look at the splendor about me and realized that I am quickly falling in love with what Europe has to offer...Suddenly a two year assignment doesn't seem so long...The mountains, the meadows, the cowbells clanking, beautiful alpine houses in the distance...
"Saturday, July 19, 2003 - part 3"
Against my will, I got back up and on my bike for the descent...knowing that the only effort on my part would be applying brakes to stop me from heading into the forest made it easier. If there is nothing more painful about biking than climbing up a great hill, there is nothing more freeing than flying down that hill, with the wind in your face...With 15% grades in some points the ability to get some speed going was plentiful... Caution had to be used in some points due to the hairpin turns. I stopped a couple of times to take pictures and just appreciate the beauty around me. I finally approached the bottom , and ran into the cows that had been clanking their bells earlier in my ride. There is something to be said about riding your bike through a herd of cattle to complete the experience. Passing through the road town, I come across something I missed on the way up. There is a house with over two hundred trolls - now that is a must see activity. I stop to take a picture and then continue into town to get a much deserved beer and some food. I settle on an Italian restaurant called Al Castagno and have a VERY tasty beer and a mushroom pizza. After devouring the pizza, I ride around town a little more, and then head back up the hill to my gasthaus. I collapse on my bed, turn on the Tour de France and watch Lance Armstrong struggle up a mountain. I drift in and out of sleep, before finally crashing after watching Jan Ulrich pull away from him at the finish.
"Saturday, July 19, 2003 - part 4"
Two hours later, I wake up completely rested. I jump in the shower and then get dressed and head out on my balcony to watch the sunset. From my vantage point, the sun sets in a valley between two smaller peaks. Quite beautiful. After the sun disappears behind the mountain, I walk into town for dinner and some entertainment. I chose a little cafe that isn't attractive looking at all. It is chosen because it seems this is where a lot of the locals are hanging out (always a good sign). I sit down, order a beer and try to decide on what to eat. I chose goulash soup as a starter and then knödel with saurkraut as a main course. The knödel is one of the best I have tasted with the ham and bacon interspersed in it fantastic. It is so good that I continue to eat it even after I am obviously full. After another beer, I pay the bill and start to walk towards the sportsarena. I soon realize that I am extremely full and tired from the days activities. So I decide to head back to my room. It is midnight. On the way back, I notice that they are lighting some sort of design on the mountain, and it has drawn all of the locals out to watch. It must be huge, as it appears quite large even from this vantage point. Back in my room, I collapse on the bed, only to hear an explosion. I jump to my feet and head out on the balcony. There is a fireworks display going on, and I have a perfect view. What a great way to finish the day. After this is over, I collapse into bed and sleep a sound sleep.
"Sunday, July 20, 2003 - part 1"
I originally wake up at 630A, which is way too early. I finally get out of bed, and shower at about 8AM. I head down for breakfast which consists of homemade bread with jam, cheese, meat, orange juice, and tea. A typical breakfast for this region. After breakfast I pack my bags and check out. I am still amazed that this place cost me only 30 euro - a great bargain. I drive into town and take a few more pictures and observe the locals in their Sunday finest having beer for breakfast - my heroes...I then head to Grainau to make a "summit" of the Zugspitze. The drive to Grainau again brings me along some very picturesque scenery and a beautiful stream that I imagine is fantastic during the spring thaw. Following the signs I head up to the train station that will take me to the top of the Zugspitze. As I approach the area, I see a lot of cars parked on either side of the road. It's going to be busy I think. Surprisingly, I am able to enter the parking lot and for 2.50 euro I park my car. I head over and buy my ticket which is 43 euro roundtrip. Yes, this is expensive, but there is no way I'm walking to the top of this mountain (approximately 8 hours) after the mountain biking adventure I did yesterday, so I gladly pay. I head over to the platform and await the next train. It is getting very hot, so the climate change near the top will be welcome. The train soon arrives and everybody piles on. I find a seat facing an elderly couple who speak to me in German, I try to communicate and am somewhat successful. There are also other Americans and some Japanese on the train. The train is a cogwheel type and slowly makes its way up the mountain side, passing through a tunnel on the way. It offers some very nice views and I can feel the serenity filliing me. The train takes me to 2600m and here everyone piles off. I get my bearings and then head out to explore the surrounding area....
"Sunday, July 20, 2003 - part 2"
There is a nice restaurant as well as a small chapel, but I am more fascinated in the landscape, which looks like the moon. There are glacial fields around, as well as some stunning views of the Alps...People are wandering all over, some arriving after climbing from the bottom, some on what appear to be multi-day hikes. I head down my the glacier field and sit to relax. I am now in a fully peaceful and relaxed state. I begin to think deep thoughts about my future and what is really important in life. Major life changes are approaching and my outlook on the future is becoming more cloudy...Is money that important, it is after all a tool to allow me to enjoy these activities, Is climbing the corporate ladder as fast as possible as important as it once was. Would I be happier living a more spartan lifestyle and travelling the world, or can I balance them both. When is the right time to plan my retirement....only time will tell. For now, I snap back and appreciate the beauty which I am witnessing today. I wander around trade picture taking with a family of hikers which allows me to get the nice picture to the side with the peak in the background. It is then time to head to the summit. There are two ways to do this. A short hike up a very steep face, or the cable car....Guess which I chose ???
"Sunday, July 20, 2003 - part 3"
I jump on the cable car, sharing it with several other people along with the driver and her beautiful German Shepard. The ride up offers some more fantastic views of the surroundings. Once at the top, I climb several flights of stair and arrive at the summit. It is quite crowded and the platform tends to take away from the natural feel. I was actually more happy with the surroundings at 2600m than here. On the plus side, it has some exquisite views of the Eibsee down below at my starting point. This makes the final ascent a must see. After walking around and taking pictures for a while, I head down to the cable car that will take me down to the Eibsee station in Grainau. Again, the ride down offers some fantastic views - although if you are afraid of heights, I recommend against this ride as it is quite steep. At the bottom, I decide whether to head to the Eibsee for some more sightseeing or to get in my car and head home. I decide to head home and leave the Eibsee for another time...
"Sunday, July 20, 2003 - part 4"
The first 1.5 hours of the drive home is marked by more beautiful scenery and I almost make a decision to go visit Neuschwanstein, the mythical castle that the Magic Kingdom Castle of Walt Disney fame is based on. I decide against it, both because I am tired, and because I want to take my time visiting King Ludwigs castles and not just rush through them. The temperature is extremely hot today approaching 35C (95F) in some areas. Arriving home, I call my family to tell them I made it safely home, arrange an evening bike ride with a collegue and relax and watch the Tour de France. At 6PM, I head over to my collegues and we jump on our bikes. My legs are dead, so a nice easy ride is welcomed - of course, we head out on a path with numerous hills. After dinner, I come home, enjoy a beer with my neighbors, and sleep the sleep of the dead....another great weekend !!!! Life is indeed great.
