SEPT. 26 - PFLEGGERSEE

 It was a very quiet day. But, that's okay since our priority here is to relax and enjoy the aura of the Alps.

Went to the "new" Lidl across from the new Hotel Aja, which is where the old American PX and other buildings of that era had stood vacant for years. Ron was pleased they had finally used that space for something, but I think that the architecture is too modern for the area. But maybe not with a Lidl just across. The hotel is right around the corner from the Bahnhof, so it will do well. Tourism is booming in Garmisch.

The Lidl was disappointing, not well organized, and they didn't have the items we wanted.

One reason we know for certain that tourism is flourishing is that Ron visited briefly with Herr Mueller, the owner of Hotel Hirth in Grainau. Thirteen years ago, Ron and a close friend had serious negotiations with Herr Mueller about buying the hotel. They could never reach a final agreement on the price. The hotel needed major renovations even back then. Today, we passed by, and it looked closed down. We drove into the entry and parking area. It was all overgrown and hardly recognizable. A young man came out from the barn outback, and asked if he could help us. Ron explained who we were, and the fellow, who turned out to be the son, led Ron around the building to see Herr Mueller. He was working in the garden without a shirt. He excused himself, went inside, and came back with a shirt and the plans for the hotel. 

It was interesting to get some of the history since 2014. During one period, he had a contract with the German government to house immigrants in the hotel rooms. He said he did this for four years and made about six million Euros.  The hotel has been closed for four years. Herr Mueller now has architectural plans to completely raze and rebuild. It has been approved by the Gemeinde (community) of Grainau. It is the first new hospitality building plan Grainau has approved in 50 years. The cost is estimated between 35-55 million EU depending on what level of luxury. It's a beautiful piece of property with incredible views, right at the foot of the Zugspitz. We'd love to know how this project progresses. I was able to read all the details in the Merkur.de, but the article was dated several years ago, so it seems the original investors have backed out.  Herr Mueller is older than we are, and Ron says he weighs about 400 pounds.

Our main activity of the day was a trip up to the Pfleggersee. In our younger days, we took so many hikes departing from there. We would walk down for about 3 km until we came to a small stube where they serve enormous windbeutel (cream puffs). Some paths took us through the Stations of the Cross, which were very beautiful. It is sad that I can no longer do these walks! It more an issue of balance than stamina.

It's a beautiful walk up or down from there, but a bit of a harrowing drive. The already narrow one-lane road is partially closed on one side, so it is even narrower. It appears that the roadway is crumbling down the mountain.

When we arrived at the Berggasthof Pfleggersee, Ron parked right next to the building, quite illegally, I'm sure. But, he put up the handicap placard, and no one bothered us You are supposed to park way down below the restaurant. It was very busy, surprising for a late Tuesday afternoon), and we were in line to get an outdoor seat overlooking the lake (more of a pond), but a gentleman asked if we would like to share their table. This has always been the custom in Germany, although I don't think it is practiced as much today.

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We sat with this fellow and wife from Munster

One reason Ron likes to go here is that they've always had gulashsuppe on the menu. They still did, and that's what he had, along with a mixed salad. I had rinder-geschntzeltes (beef strips) in a mushroom sauce with spaetzle. 

The couple we sat with said they had been vacationing in Garmisch for 25-years. I said I  we have been coming here for 50 years. Yes, our first visit was in 1973! Where do the years go?

We returned to our apartment to enjoy the balcony, and sun setting over the mountains.

"The World is big, and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." (John Muir)