Neuschwanstein & The Alps

We took a couple of days to explore some of Southern Germany, and one stop that we just had to make was Neuschwanstein Castle, in Schwangau. We'd heard all about this place from John, and some other friends as well, and I can tell you now, it is not to be missed. As we approached Schwangau and the southern border, the hills around us slowly grew taller and taller, until we were starting to see the beginnings of the Alps to our south. Everyone who travels with me knows how much I love mountains, and I was really looking foward to this!

Neuschwanstein is... breathtaking. This castle is seriously straight out of a fairy tale. And that's understandable, because a lot of fantasy castles have been based on this one! It was built by King Ludwig II, and it was never finished before he mysteriously died, so most of it is not open to the public, as it was not completed. Photography was also not allowed inside the castle, but I snapped a shot or two before I was yelled at to put my camera away. Eep!

We climbed some hills behind the Castle, up to Mary's Bridge which crosses a ravine. John naturally vaulted ahead and off into the woods up the cliffs while Amber and I were taking photos, but we eventually caught up with him and dear lord... that had to be the most spectacular view I have ever seen in my entire life.

Approaching the Alps

A quaint village we drove through.

Hohenschwangau, a castle near Neuschwanstein.

Neuschwanstein, in all its glory.

Mary's Bridge, behind Neuschwanstein in the foothills.

Jason poses with his future summer home.

We were reminded of what a small world it is when we ran into some L-S Grads while we were hiking behind the castle. They had graduated this year, and were on a tour of Europe, in celebration. Amber recognized them, and one was a younger brother of a guy she knows. Crazy!!!

L-S Grads! What are the odds!

One of Neuschwanstein's towers, overlooking Schwangau.

Another shot of the outside of Neuschwanstein.

A Chandelier which weighed over a ton.

There were views like this out of almost every window in the entire castle. Can't complain!

I don't think that hat fits, Amber!

John "accidentally" orders two dinners, and proceeds to eat them both.

A small church near Neuschwanstein.

Jason just cannot get enough of this place!

John makes a friend!

We stayed at a great little place nestled in the village of Schwangau. Even the views out of our window were captivating. At one point I went outside to read on the terrace, but the sun was setting, and the last rays of sunlight were just kissing the tops of the mountains behind the Castle... I totally forgot about my book and was just staring for at least an hour. Yeah. I was happy :)

The sun sets on the mountains behind Neuschwanstein.

"Katherine, Katherine, wherefore art thou, Katherine?"

Weiss Kirchen, or, "The White Church."

Inside of Weiss Kirchen. So ornate, your eyes almost begin to water.

The next day, we decided to take a roundabout way home that would take us through some of the Alps themselves, and down around into Switzerland briefly. We intentionally got lost in the back roads and villages in some of the mountain passes, and at one point I spotted a tramway lift going up into the mountains and shouted, "THERE! DRIVE THERE!" My favorite activity in the White Mountains of New Hampshire which we used to visit every year was taking the tram up to the top of Canon Mountain... and let me just say, this put that to shame.

We tracked down the Tram, but were unlucky enough to arrive just after 12:00, and everyone was out to lunch. Only in Europe does an entire place shut down and become a ghost town during lunchtime! They finally returned, and I was aghast when John told me he'd "wait in the car," because he was tired. I really wanted to slap him. "Hmmmm, nap, or quick hike in the Alps? Hmmmm."

So, Amber and I went up the mountain, and proceeded to gawk and oogle at the surrounding mountain ranges for the next hour or two. One thing that I did not expect was to find cows at the top of the mountain... but cows there were, and hundreds; all with cowbells on them, so that the only sound you could hear was the windchime-esque ringing as they slowly moved around the mountain fields, grazing. Very interesting!

There was also a wonderful garden up on the mountain, that was being kept by an old couple, and we were able to wander around the twisty paths therein, and eventually up to a peak where the views were the most amazing I'd ever seen. I can't even begin to describe it. The photos I took can't do this an ounce of justice.

Amber and I wanted to stay up there forever, but we know John would be ornery if we were too long, so we continued on our way.

We also checked out a church on our way home, the Weiss Kirche. I've seen some ornate decorations before, inside Neuschwanstein Castle being one such example... but this church took it to the next level. It was almost hard to look at it was so ornate. Gorgeous, but maybe a bit much!

Only in Europe, will you see a Ferrari Gang.

A shot from the top of the mountain which we took the tram up. These pictures will not even come close to doing this justice. Use your imagination!

These views are looking south, with the really tall Alps further in the distance.

Amber is squishing your head!

There was one of these crosses at the peak of every mountain we've seen in the Alps so far. Very interesting.

A valley in the mountains, frequented by the hundreds of cows up there!

A local resident of the mountain we were climbing around on.

The houses here in Switzerland are exactly as I'd imagined them to be...

Jason, for the second time, managed to dump all of the noodles into the sink while straining them. D'OH!

Well, we're back at Headquarters now, planning our next trip: Paris! We're thinking of taking the train, but we'll have to see how prices are. We must also do some research into what things not to miss while in Paris!