Swarovski Kristallwelten: Wattens, Austia

We finally traveled outside the German border!  While we were in Garmisch in the beginning of June, we decided to go to Austria.    What's right inside the Austrian border?  Swarovski Crystal World.

This is the place where Swarovski makes beautiful, shiny crystals, and we all know I love shiny things, so Andy said we were definitely going this time.

It wasn't the most beautiful day, but it was a beautiful drive.  The drive from Garmisch to Wattens, Austria is only about an hour.  As we were driving along, a castle just popped up on the side of the road.  Seriously, it came out of nowhere.

We don't typically stop driving too often to take pictures.  However, I had to stop and get a picture of that castle.  I can't really tell you the significance of this castle, though.  I tried to do a little research, but didn't come up with anything.  All you need to know is that it was in the side of the mountain and looked amazing.  Being a good photo op is a good thing for a castle to be.

The drive is also beautiful because it is through the Alps.  If you ever get the chance to see the Alps, take it.  I told Andy that they are the mountains you think of as a kid: the right color, pointy, and in some places they are snow-capped.  They are ideal for kindergarten drawings everywhere.

I thought the clouds were ruining the view, but now as I look back, they really didn't.  We could see the mountains perfectly.  We could also see what looked like a train track running through the mountains.  I just kept saying, "How do you build a train track like that?  And honestly, who looks up and a mountain and thinks, 'Yep, that's where I want the train to go'?" 

I feel like often times on my blog I say, "Ooh, look at the pretty mountains.  Look how beautiful it is here.  Look at the castles...blah blah blah."  It really is gorgeous.  I hope you don't get tired of hearing it.  But really, I would encourage everyone to come to Europe and see it.  I know I am having a once in a lifetime experience right now.  I always dreamed of visiting Europe; I never thought I would live here.

One of the best parts of driving through Germany is seeing all of the little villages in the countryside.  Apparently, Austria has this too.  I find myself wondering about the life stories of the people in these villages.  Has their family always lived in this place?  Do they enjoy the view every single day or does it get old?  If they live in the mountains, where do they go for vacation?  Is most of their food from right here?  Because there are a lot of farms.  What are the schools like?  Perhaps one day I'll meet someone who can answer these questions for me.

After this nice drive, we made our way to Swarovski.  They have an interesting outdoor space.  First we went into this maze.  We didn't know it was the shape of a hand until we looked at it from above.  We also didn't  know there was only one exit/entrance.  I thought the maze was fun because I was just following behind Andy as he was saying, "Dead end.  Another dead end.  I'm going back out the way we came."  I would have probably been in there forever.

Swarovski also has a fun outdoor play area with a mini zip line.  Evan was a little hesitant to ride at first, but as you can see, he loved it.  He even rode by himself a few times.  In case you can't tell, my husband and son are just alike.  It is wonderful watching them together.

One of the things that makes Andy a great dad is that he loves to have fun like the kids.  Who needs a sibling when you have a dad like this?

This is the weird grass face/fountain that makes up the entrance to the crystal museum.  This was just the beginning of wondering, who designed this?

There were lots of strange items inside the museum.   They had the most unexpected things made out of crystal, like a pair of gloves for a giant, mannequin robots that came apart and went back together, and some pretty strange artwork.  However, there were some things that I really enjoyed, like the giant crystal inside the entrance.  (Andy, feel free to stick that in a ring for me!)  The coolest room in the museum was this dome-shaped room made out of crystals.  It reminded me of cerebro from X Men.  I seriously felt like Professor Xavier!  Unfortunately, though, the pictures didn't turn out because of the light in there.

What's the point of a giant crystal jellyfish?  Who cares, it looks awesome!  I feel like if you had one of these in your house, it could be quite the conversation starter.

Every woman needs a bra made out of crystals.  You know, just in case you get too comfortable in your regular bra.

Golden staff?  Yes, please.  It will go with my crystal bra and I can rule the world!  Really, I just like this picture because of the background.  You can see a beautiful wedding dress, and you can see my husband patiently waiting for me, which is also a beautiful thing.

The best part of the museum?  One of the world's largest Swarovski stores!  I got a shiny new pair of earrings.  Let's be honest.  You might say you're going to Swarovski to see the museum, but you're really going to buy something pretty.  Too bad they don't sell the bra.

Our first time leaving Germany was fun, but as far as I'm concerned, Austria may as well be Germany.  The food was the same and everyone was speaking German.  However, cell phone towers know the difference.  On our way back, my phone decided it wouldn't work because we were in Austria.  That's all dandy, except that we used the gps on my phone to get there.  Zero data connectivity.  Luckily, Andy got us back to Garmisch just fine.  Take that, technology!  It's always an adventure with us.

Coasters, Caves, and Cooking on Rocks:Pottenstein

Last month we took a day trip with our friends, Robin, Zach, and Madi, to Pottenstein.  Pottenstein is only about 45 minutes from us and just about as soon as we got there, we were wondering why we hadn't gone sooner.  Pottenstein is a really cool little town.  The first stop we made there was at the Sommerrodelbahn, which means summer toboggan run.

This Sommerrodelbahn (can you pronounce that?) is like a two-person mini roller coaster, which is controlled with a hand brake, and it is so fun!  This picture is Madi and Evan standing in front of the toboggan before we got to ride it.  After one ride, we were all pretty much hooked and agreed that we could stay there all day and spend all of our money just riding over and over.  We decided not to do that, though, because there were other sights to see in Pottenstein that day.

After the coaster, we went down the street to the Devil's Cave (all of the fun stuff is close together in P-stein.  Super convenient!).  This is wear things got a little more interesting.  You can tour the cave and there is no crawling around, squeezing through tight spaces.  However, Robin and I are both pretty afraid of caves.  I think I might be a claustrophobe in denial.  We decided that we would go in the cave because the husbands really wanted to, and because everyone we talked to who had been said it's really easy and pretty open the entire time.  It did seem like it was going to be really open, except for a big wooden door that closes behind you when you start the tour.  Robin really hated that!

Here is a picture of Robin and me pretending we aren't scared.  We were scared, but Zach helped me get over it by telling us to pretend it was just a fake cave, like a ride at an amusement park.  That trickery actually worked for most of the tour.  However, there was one part up a stairwell where I really almost panicked.  I started thinking, "What if this cave collapses?  What if the lights go out?  My cellphone light will only last a short time.  I have no water.  Could I find my way out?"  These are the scenarios that crazy people (aka women, mostly mothers) come up with all of the time.  If you've ever had an anxiety attack, you probably know that panicky feeling at the onset of one.  Luckily, I've gotten pretty good at talking myself out of them.  Thank God that worked, because I wanted to bolt out of there, but I would've gotten lost, and looked stupid.

 

When we weren't thinking about death by spelunking (Zach, that means caving.  Stop forgetting the word!), the cave tour was actually really cool.  There were really tall stalactites and stalagmites that looked like an orange-ish, melted candle wax.  I was expecting them to look more like stone.

The kids weren't scared at all.  I don't know that they particularly enjoyed the cave, but they didn't hate it.

The cave tour was just under and hour, and I think Robin and I were relieved to see the sunlight.  Even though I was proud that we made it through without a complete freak out, I can say that I do not enjoy caves and would not like to go back into one.  They are amazing, but the thought of being stuck in one makes it not worth it for me.

However, I would like to see more rock formations surrounding caves.  The scenery in Pottenstein, as in most of Bavaria, is beautiful.

After many, MANY months of one hundred percent cloud cover, it was nice to have a day of sunshine.  I love being outside, and in places like this, I feel like I could live outside.  I just wanted to build a little cottage right between these rocks.  I, of course, would seal up the cave and kick out all of the tourists.

Next up in Pottenstein was what we Americans refer to as Steak on a Stone, but is actually called Gasthof Schuttersmuhle.  It's a restaurant where the servers bring you a searing hot stone, and you can cook your choice of meats or fish.  Pretty cool idea, huh?  Well, guess what; I suck at cooking salmon.  Actually it was still good, just look at that beautiful piece of fish, but I did overcook it a little.

Andy and Zach both got exotic plates of meat to try (they don't fry up any strippers, people, don't get too excited).  Andy had kangaroo, crocodile, wild hare, and wild boar.  We had just tried kangaroo a couple of weeks prior, so we knew that would be pretty good.  I surprise myself by saying that the crocodile was my favorite.  I could definitely taste that element of it being something that lived in the water, and I enjoyed it.  I would eat crocodile again.  However, I did not like the wild hare or the wild boar.  Andy and Zach both really enjoyed the wild hare.  I don't know what's wrong with them because though I can't really describe the taste to you, I can tell you that it wasn't good.  The worst of the bunch was the wild boar.  If you want to know what wild boar tastes like, you should eat a rotten pork chop.  I later learned from Zach's step dad that it was probably a male boar, which you are not supposed to eat unless it's first castrated.  Something to do with hormones I guess.  Gross!  Steak on a Stone was an interesting experience, but next time I'm going to pay a restaurant, they are going to cook the food.  Pottenstein is definitely a fun city.  We'll go back and ride the Sommerrodelbahn, but I'll skip the cave and the cooking, and enjoy a beer and a bratwurst.


Biking in Bavaria

We finally have bikes and a bike trailer for Evan,  so we decided to really break them in today. In Germany,  biking isn't just for fun, it's a way of life. Bikes are considered vehicles here,  so they have to have lights and bells. Cute old ladies with baskets are always biking to the grocery store and the markets. People use bicycles to go everywhere. We use ours for workouts apparently.
When we started off,  we weren't sure how far we would go. We first went off post through Vilseck. Then we headed towards Grafenwoehr. We saw parts of the outer villages of Vilseck that we had never seen before.

I'm obsessed with doors,  as everyone already knows.  We saw this cool,  hobbit-looking door.  Evan's face was priceless when I said, "Oh I hope a monster doesn't come out of there."

After that stop,  we kept riding and saw some really beautiful scenery.  The flowers are starting to bloom, and you can see hills and forests for miles.

We also accidentally ended up riding the through someone's farm. We stopped at the top of their hill, and could see downtown Vilseck. It was cool to see the church and the castle from up there.

After the farm land,  we did what I consider to be serious off-roading. I guess technically we were on a road,  but it was all sand and dirt and gravel,  and I was terrified I was going to crash. Andy stopped towards the bottom because I was so far behind,  he was afraid I had fallen.  No,  I was just riding the breaks so that I wouldn't fall. It was an awesome ride though. We really live in farm country and it is beautiful. Next time,  when there is less threat of rain, we'll take the good camera!

We made it back home after about 3 hours and 10 miles. Andy looked so tired and Evan was asleep.
I was pretty tired too, but I was so happy that we got some exercise in a way that I enjoy and that we could enjoy as a family. I'm ready to do it every day!

Food, Fear, Fun: Garmisch

Today, after the darkest winter in recorded history in Germany, the sun is shining, and with it came the desire to write.  It's really perfect timing too, since we just spent an amazing weekend in Garmisch.  We decided we needed to get away from post for a couple days, so we booked a stay at Edelweiss, a lodge and resort for the American military.  Andy and I then contemplated why, when trying to take a break from all things Army, we would go to a military resort.

The answer is clear though, once you get to Edelweiss.  Walking into this lobby with the stone fireplace and rustic rocking chairs in front of it, I immediately felt a little more relaxed. 

The lodge is beautiful, but the view is spectacular. These are the Alpine mountains, and they are stunning.  This is the reason for traveling to Garmisch.

We would also be lying if we said we didn't love the food at the resort.  German food is great, but sometimes we crave burgers, cheesecake, and giant towers of beer.  It's German beer the American way: excessive!

This is how you feel after you finish your 3 liter tower of beer.  I helped with some of it, but this was mostly Andy's accomplishment.

The first day in Garmsich was all about relaxation.  We took Evan to the pool, then to the outdoor hot tub.  I didn't think I would enjoy the hot tub so much, but I never wanted to get out of it.  Even with the cold rain falling on us, it was still one the most relaxing soaks of all time.  Saturday in Garmisch was all about seeing the sights.  Andy really wanted to go to the top of the Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany.  The picture above is looking up at the mountain, waiting to get on the ski lift to the top.  I don't think I can adequately describe the fear I felt waiting for this ski lift.

This picture explains it a little better.  That tiny rectangle in the middle of the picture hanging from a cable is a gondola in which forty people stand and go straight up the side of 2,962 meter mountain (9,718 feet).  To say that I have a fear of heights is an understatement.  Not only am I afraid of heights, but I have this neurotic brain that comes up with disasters and then comes up with ways to solve these unlikely disasters (I believe this stems from becoming a mom and wanting to protect my child).  This ride up the mountain was terrifying because I knew that, should something go wrong, there was nothing I could do to save us.

Right before we got on I wanted to run away, but I had told Andy that I would do it because we only live once. "Carpe Diem!"  The ride up was so vertical and the lift was really swinging, so that by the time we got to the top, my legs felt like they could no longer carry my weight.  I was actually glad to be packed in like sardines because I couldn't see the huge drop.  When we got to the top and could see under the ski lift how far we had just traveled, I felt like fainting.  I literally had to sit down and catch my breath.  I was glad we did it, though, because the view from the top was better than I could have imagined.  You can see nothing but miles upon miles of mountains.  I'm sure somewhere we were looking into Austria, but from up there you can't tell where anything begins or ends.

Andy was happily taking pictures all around.  He loved being up there.  I'm always amazed that he has no fear of being that high in the air.  I wish I could be more like him.

This is the true summit of the Zugsptize.  I don't know why there is a gold cross up there, other than just to mark the very highest point.

This is us at the top.  I was so scared to be that close to the edge, but facing that fear feels like some small amount of freedom.  I would do it again.  While we were looking out over the mountains, Andy and I were amazed by this huge crater in the middle, filled with snow, which looks perfectly crafted by God for the sole purpose of giving the people a place to ski!  Andy so badly wanted to ski down.  We will definitely go back and ski.  I think the Alpine mountains will be the perfect place for my first time skiing.

The way down the mountain was much less scary.  I was secretly relieved when Andy said we should take the train down to get a different view.  (I still recommend taking the lift up to get the true feel of the height of the mountain!)  Evan always enjoys a good train ride.  He thought it was so cool that we were inside of the mountain.

Once we got out of the mountain tunnel, he had fun looking at the animal tracks in the snow.  He and Andy were trying to guess what animals they could be from and Evan kept saying, "Those big ones are Bigfoot's tracks!"

After being on top of the world, I wanted to go to Austria to the Swarovski factory.  Instead though, we decided a bike ride through Garmisch would be more fun.  I am so glad we decided to do that!

We stopped on a little wooden bridge on the trail, and this is what we saw.  The creek and the barns and the feel of being a part of nature made me feel like I could live in Garmisch and be totally content.

While on the bridge, we also saw this in the mountains.  I had no idea what that could be, but Andy thought it was some kind of ski jump.

He was right! We saw the Olympic rings and there were even people up there taking a tour (our new camera thankfully has quite a good zoom!).

Neither of us knew that there had ever been Olympics in Garmisch, Germany, but we suspected sometime between the 50's and 70's.  We were way wrong.  This ski jump was from the 1936 Olympics!  This picture is of a postcard from those 1936 Olympics and the ski jump.  Andy found this and we were both shocked to see the Nazi flag under the Olympic rings.  What a different time in German history!  This was just before the war and all of the horrendous things that the Nazi party did.  It was surprising to think that we stood in front of that piece of history.  We finished the bike ride after about ten miles, tired and wet, but exhilarated.

On Sunday morning, we left Garmisch for home.  Gladly, too, because it was snowing again, and we have had enough snow to last a lifetime.  When we got home, Evan found that the Easter bunny had visited.  He even left Evan a note saying that he hoped we had fun in the mountains, and that Santa and Jack Frost had helped him hide eggs around the house. (Being a parent during this magical time in a child's life is the best!)

Evan had fun finding the eggs.  If you think that's a mini football in his hand, you're wrong.  It's a huge chocolate egg.  The Germans don't just know beer, they know chocolate!  Perhaps they learned from their friends, the Belgians.  This was a fun end to a memory-making weekend.  We are all excited for our next trip to Garmisch.  Evan even said at home, "Are we going back to the hotel room now?" :)

Our Christmas Story

Last weekend, we set out to look for a Christmas tree.  We were going to pick one and chop it down ourselves, and I was really excited because I've never had a live tree.  (When I say "we" were going to chop it down, I mean Andy was going to chop it down.  And I was going to happily watch.)  Well, we couldn't get a tree because it was Sunday.  Das ist Deutschland, nothing is open on Sundays.  So we quickly detoured to the PX (which is, because it's American owned, open on Sundays), thinking that we would get at least a fake tree to put up.  The PX had been sold out of trees since the day after Thanksgiving!  I quickly decided that I was going to make a tree.  Pretty crazy idea since I'm not at all creative, and not very artistic either.  We started to look for construction paper, which the PX also didn't have.  We never give up, we found green poster board! 

When we got home, Evan and I started working on the tree.  I drew the shape, and at the bottom of the top and middle layers, I traced Evan's hands to make a cute design for the "frilly" parts of the tree.  While we worked on the tree, Andy started making paper ornaments, snowflakes, and even gifts. 

We were pretty proud of the finished product!  It looked cute, it was fun, and most importantly, we did it together.  When our neighbors came over to take this picture, we were talking about still getting a tree.  Andy made the point though, that this tree takes up no space and it's pretty cool, so maybe we wouldn't get a real tree this year.  He also mentioned that he may have accidentally left all of our Christmas tree lights at a holiday party for his unit last year. 

Although we were happy with our project tree, it is part of the fun for little ones to put up and decorate a tree.  And I really had my heart set on a real tree.  Well last night someone rang our doorbell.  Andy went outside, but there was no one there.  But there was a tree, tree stand, lights, and a card.  The inside of the card said, "I was all alone this holiday season.  I needed a family to share my Christmas spirit with, so I found the Bartletts and I hope they take me in this cold Christmas season to share the magic of the season with me."

Our wonderful friends had gone out and gotten us a tree!  They just hated the thought that we wouldn't have a tree to decorate with Evan.  It was the sweetest gift!  We were so surprised.  We put up the tree last night and let it thaw a little (it's been quite cold and snowy this winter).  When Evan got home from school today, he was literally jumping up and down saying, "Can we put the lights on the tree? Can we put the lights on the tree?" 

We did put the lights on the tree.  And all of our fun ornaments.  And guess who got to put the star on top.

The tree looked beautiful when it was all finished!  You can also see the snow outside the window, which looks pretty cool.

It is our first German Christmas tree, and the perfect gift.  Thank you, friends!