Top of the World

For my 26th birthday, we took a trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the southern border of Germany. Blanketed with fresh snow, the peaks and long valleys were absolutely breath-taking. Around mid-morning we took a gondola to the top of Zugspitz, the tallest mountain in Germany. From the top, you can see 4 different countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even Italy!

While the views are absolutely spectacular, I must say that I have never been so cold in my entire life! I was sporting thick North Face leggings, knit knee-high socks, Ralph Lauren rain boots (which have fantastic tread, so they kept me from getting wet and from slipping and sliding everywhere), a tee, and this great big American Rag jacket...and I was STILL freezing. Without the gloves, knitted beanie, and sunglasses, I wouldn't have been able to even function at the top. Brad and I could only stand being outside for short segments of time, before running into the shelter at the top of the mountain to warm up for a minute. We did this multiple times, just to keep our fingers working enough to snap some photos.

Since it was my birthday, we went into the small café at the top of Zugspitz and enjoyed the views out of wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor windows that looked down one of the cliffs. I have to say that drinking a cappuccino and tasting an amazing apple kuchen from the top of the world like that is one of the best birthday experiences I've ever had.

Upon returning to the bottom of the Valley, we visited the frozen Lake Eibsee, which is reported to boast vibrant green and blue colors in the Spring and Summer months. (I'd love to go back and see that!)

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To finish off our birthday explorations, we headed a few miles over to the other end of the Valley to the mouth of the Partnach Gorge. This tight canyon is absolutely gorgeous, with turquoise waters carving their way through the skinny canyon walls, which you can walk inside of. You meander upstream along the river, hiking through tunnels and under overhangs, as the melting ice and snow from the canyon walls create a wall of rain alongside the greater waterfalls.

In this last photo above you can see the turquoise color of the water below reflected on the canyon walls. Really, a magical --albeit very wet-- place.

All-in-all, Garmisch was a really beautiful place to visit. The next morning we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow and blue skies. Making for some wonderful views of the Valley and Neuschwanstein Castle in the next post... See you there!

♥M.