Mittenwald & Lermoos (Austrian Alps)

                                                     

Mittenwald

I wake up hearing cow bells.  However, looking out the window, I see sheep, not cows, running across the pasture. 

On our way to Mittenwald, we drive across the Austrian border and through Garmisch.  Upon arrival, the sun peeks through the clouds allowing us to view the mountains surrounding this ski town.  It’s a damp, cold, foggy day so any sunshine is welcome.  In stadmitte (the town center) there are many tourist shops, Konditeri’s (coffee & cake cafes), and a church with a beautiful steeple. 

The statue of Matthias Klotz

 in front of the

 Church of St. Peter and Paul

 in the Obermarkt, Mittenwald

There is also a large, wood sculpture of a violin—what this town is known for, a famous violin maker, Matthias Klotz.  This is a typical Bavarian town with many of the buildings having scenes painted on the front.  I purchase almkase  (cheese of the local area) and a piece of schwalzwalder  kuchen.   I notice that there are many "zimmer freis", or accommodations available, on the outskirts of the town.  

On our way back through Garmisch, we buy a cup of coffee and access the internet at McD’s.  Our zimmer does not  have internet. 

Enjoying Coffee at McDonald's McCafe

When we return to Ehrwald, we finally get a view of the Zugspitze.  It’s still cloudy and cold in the valley, but it’s sunny on the peaks.  When we were stationed in Germany, we skied on the Zugspitze—way up there on the glacier. 

Zugspitze Mountain

I convince Steve to take a walk in the valley across from our zimmer.  Yes, it’s cold.  But I find it refreshing.  The Zugspitze looks amazing as we’re walking.  Stopping by the creek, the ducks get out of the water and walk over to Steve.  However, they don’t like the dog biscuits he offers them.  Then, as we walk by the sheep, they also come running over to us.  I think they expect us to feed them.  I guess Steve is quite an attraction with his knit hat on.  Maybe they think he is their master!

At a local restaurant, one of the few that was open, we have Wiener Schnitzel and Jagerschnitzel.  We return to a warm apartment, watch the news about the imminent cold, wet weather throughout the country, and call it a night.