Where Clouds Rule the Sky

In Garmisch-Partenkirchen the chance of a sunny day is always below 25%. 

So that explains all the clouds we encountered there. 

At the top of the Alpspitze

We had great plans to go to the top of the Zugpsitze, 

but what's the point if you can't see anything once you are there? 

So we went to the top of the Alpspitze. 

The AlpsPIX viewing platform in a cloud. 

We still didn't see much 

but it didn't hurt our wallets quite as much either. 

On one of those rare sunny days, 

the view from here must be stunning. 

And the viewing platforms hanging off the mountain over the valley would be amazing. 

We hiked down through the clouds enjoying what we could see. 

I love German cows.
I love the sound of the cowbells even more. 

And then we went to the baker for bread, 

the brewer for beer, 

the cheese shop for cheese, 

and the butcher for meats. 

I love that. 

We had our picnic lunch in front of our hotel. 

It was a great day, clouds and all. 

Oh, and here's what the brochures and travel guides show you: 

www.bavaria.by

But remember, chances of that view are less than 25%. 

I'm not sure I would recommend a summer stay here 

unless you are prepared for perpetual clouds. 

http://www.plz-postleitzahl.de/

Garmisch Partenkirchen is in southern Germany just north of the Austrian Border. 

Alpspix Ausichtsplattform, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Destination: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Say that 5 times fast....

so we'll just call it GaPa for short 

like they do in Germany. 

All is quiet at 7:30 am. 

GaPa is the location we chose as our base for exploring southern Bavaria. 

I am sooo glad we chose to stay on Ludwigstrasse in Partenkirchen. 

It is so quaint and easily walkable. 

The outer parts of the town reminded me more of a suburban town back home. 

Ludwigstrasse is a little sleepy - since everything shuts down in the evenings except the restaurants.

We stayed at Gasthaus Fraundorfer, 

which was the happening place. 

They offer live music in the evenings and keep a packed house in their restaurant. 

Love the shop signs in the German villages. 

The place is rustic and I can easily see this a skier's hotel in winter. 

In summer, the area tends toward cloudiness and rain 

due to its proximity to the Alps. 

I guess you can't have it all. 

View from our window. 

During our 4 nights there in August 

we were freezing! 

We were not prepared for the cold, damp temps in August. 

That is something not in the guide books! 

Bavarian Details

I can tell you that after visiting these German villages, 

setting up my little German Village at Christmas time 

will take on a whole new meaning.

Fountain on Ludwigstrasse

For more pictures from GaPa, click here. 

http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/bayern/1_de_by.htm