Germany Trip-Part 1

Well, we made it.  After a long flight and an even longer drive, we arrived at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort about 1 a.m. last night.  Our good friend Luke, who is stationed here, lent us his car and GPS for the 4 hour drive.  It was a little nerve-racking when we first set off from the airport-Ryan driving and me trying to navigate him in a foreign country.  We finally got the hang of it though, and the drive was smooth until the very end.  The GPS led us down a small gravel back road and told us we had reached our destination.  Obviously not.  So there we were, in Austria, in the middle of the night, in 15 degree weather, lost.  But here we are, safe and sound.

I wish our drive could have been in daylight so we could see this place more clearly.  We did see a couple of castles perched up on peaks that were lit, but other than that, it really looked like we were driving anywhere back home-except with LOTS of snow.

This morning's first light brought us our first glimpse of our surroundings.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I don't think I have the words to describe the beauty of this place.  Rugged peaks and snow covered evergreens everywhere.  Crisp air that takes your breath away and gives you rosy cheeks.  A little German town that I swear is a Dickens Village come to life. 

W is still getting used to the snow.  His biggest thrill?  Seeing the "Mere Flag" (American Flag) a couple of different times.  We plan on exploring Austria tomorrow (we are right on the border and drove through it a little last night) and touring Neuswanstein Castle on Monday.  This is the "Disney Castle" that served as the model for the one in the Magic Kingdom.

I wish my parents and sister were here.  This is just the kind of place and experience that you want to share with your whole family.  Maybe we can get 'em all here before we leave......


Stay tuned..........