BERCHTESGADEN;)

After almost 50 years, we returned to Berchtesgaden in the SE German alps and only 30 minutes from Salzburg, Austria. In spite of summer crowded autobahns, cloud covered mountain tops and a late evening thunderstorm, we decided that we like this beautiful area even over Garmisch! We took a tour up the mountain to Hitler's Eagles Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), a stone lodge with wonderful views (except today we were in the clouds) that was built for Hitler's 50th birthday. It is the only remaining Third Reich-era building allowed to remain and we enjoyed a beer while reading our tourist information (picture). When we walked the small village of Berchtesgaden we enjoyed the local beer festival and saw more Lederhosen and Drindel traditional wear than we saw at the Oktoberfest:) After the evening rainstorm we finally got to see the beautiful Alps from our hotel and woke up to mountain peaks all around us... beautiful! Additionally we took the salt mine tour deep into the mountain where we road a train, boat and went down wood slides:) They have been mining salt, white gold, since 1517!! The beautiful river that cuts through town begins at the famous Konigssee (King's Lake) that is set amongst the steep surrounding mountains much like a fiord in Norway. It is Germany's clearest and puriest water and is seen in the many photos of Germany with the St Bartolomy's small white "onion topped" church on its banks..... we will return and take the boat trip to see it:)