Castles in the Air

As we headed out on this morning, there was lots of snow.

It was really beautiful and it snowed this much overnight!

I had been so disappointed in the fog and was so happy when I saw the snow that Jim noted the snow was almost as good as sunshine :-|

There are two famous and beautiful castles in this area.

This one, pictured above, is Hohenschwangau Castle. It was the childhood home of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Amazingly it suffered no damage during WWI or WWII.

Options for reaching the next castle - up much higher on the mountain - was a 45 minute walk or a 30 minute carriage ride. We opted for the carriage ride and I drove. Well, not literally, but . . .

When we got on the carriage there were already four Asians and two Germans waiting to depart. The carriage holds 11 people plus the driver and this driver wasn't going anywhere until he had a full carriage . . . so we waited. Along comes an American family of four. They quickly assess the situation and decide they all want to sit together (spoiled!) and as we are currently arranged, they can't do that. So they decide they'll wait for the next carriage. Me, quick on the draw, are not about to let this family of four spoiled Americans make this spoiled American wait one more minute in zero temperature. I offer to move up front with the other Asians and Jim (and Winslow) to take my seat. THERE, you can all sit together!

So, now there are three Asians and me in the front, four spoiled Americans in the middle, one Asian, two Germans, and Jim/Winslow in the back seat. Now, if you are doing the math, that's 12 in a carriage that holds 11 and a driver. Not being so quick with my math, I look ahead and notice there's no perch for our driver and suddenly realize I'm in the driver's seat!

Well, no worries, he wasn't so big and me and the other Asians weren't so big, therefore we all got very close for that half hour ride.

And speaking of Asians, I shudder to think what will happen to tourism and digital cameras if they all decide to stay at home.

Jim, looking out over a lookout point. A little scary, really.

This is Neuschwanstein Castle.

Built in the late 1800's, it isn't that old by "castle" standards. This palace was commissioned by Ludwig II as a retreat and as an homage to the composer Richard Wagner, whose operas made a lasting impression on him.

It is spectacular and you can see why it was the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

View of the countryside from atop the castle site.

As we were leaving the Fussen/Schwangau area, we could see the castle in the distance.

Thankfully the fog had lifted above it :-)