OCTOBER 6 - OUR FAVORITE MOUNTAIN EXCURSION

 Ron dropped me in front of the laundromat, and, luckily, pulled out just in time for a bus to pull into the spot. He had been admonished for parking there on a previous trip, so I knew it was a bus stop. I put the laundry into the small machine and told the attendant, "Ich habe keine seife" (I have no soap), and she said "Kein problem". She wasn't quite as crabby as on our previous visit. She agreed to take it out (at least an hour cycle) and put it in the dryer. We repeated these instructions three times to make sure she was understanding my German.

Near Olympic Stadium & Eckbauerbahn

We then went to the Eckbauer Bahn, parking at the old Olympia Stadium, originally built for the 1936 Olympics.
I was concerned I would have a problem getting on the gondelbahn because it is continuous loop, rather than stopping for people to board and alight. I recalled having a minor issue last time. We knew it had been modernized since our last visit. We were hesitant to ask questions because I had read several reviews saying that the ticket person there was the only rude person they had encountered in Bavaria. But, with the new bahn, I guess they hired a new ticket person, as he was very friendly and helpful.  Ron mentioned that I had a mobility issue and was he sure that his wife would be able to enter the gondola. He said yes, and that if needed, the bahn could be stopped. He asked if Ron had a handicap document. He said yes but it was in the car. The fellow said not to worry and gave us the handicap price anyway, which was a savings of about $20. 

Meanwhile, Ron had parked in the first row, which we didn't realize required a handicapped placard. He had taken the placard out of the car in case the attendant needed to see it to slow or stop the bahn. We had purchased a "parkschein" to display in the window. Meanwhile, I was sitting at a table in the sun in front of the ticket area, and when I got up to follow Ron to the bahn, a young boy at an adjacent table, got up and got my attention, pointed, and asked if that was our car. Yes, it was, and a police woman was taking a picture of the license tag and about to write a ticket. Ron hurried back, and learned that you had to hang the handicap placard to park in that entire row. After Ron placed the handicap placard the officer told him that the paper he had placed on the dash was not a ticket but rather the receipt for the credit card he used to purchase the ticket, Ron asked, "Where is my ticket"? Hilarious, why he thought she should know! The officer said "I don't know". She was very nice about everything.  As mentioned, we had paid for a parkschein, but, also learned from the policewoman that we needn't have paid for parking at all, and that we needn't have paid for parking ANYWHERE in Germany if we had the handicap sign. Think we would have saved about $30 if we'd have known that. As it turned out the five euro parking charge never appeared on out credit card statement (at least not yet).

It was so kind of the mother with two kids to have alerted us to the policewoman at our car. 

So, we proceeded onto the bahn with no issues. It went very slowly, and when Ron got on, it stopped for a brief moment. Well, "new and improved is not always better. It is just NOT THE SAME now that it is enclosed. 

Here I am, happy to be ascending on the Eckbauer. I am holding the cover of the Deaton Creek monthly magazine for a picture to appear in a future issue. 

For years this was a two-person gondola, totally open on the sides, so you felt you were right out in the elements - and pictures were not blurred by glass. But, it is a beautiful journey to the top station, skimming the trees. 

Have walked down several of these paths in the past. And others, even more beautiful, that can't be seen from this bahn. Didn't realize what a gift it was to be able to do that!

After exiting the bahn, a sign pointed to the Berggasthof Eckbauer - 5-minutes. Of course, that is not at my walking pace. We made it but it took about 20-minutes on an uneven gravel path. At points, it felt like torture to my knees. Mostly I am afraid of falling, as I have no balance and limited depth perception. When on an incline it can be quite terrifying. Ron has to be very patient as I cling on to his belt and his arm and ask him to go slower or faster. He says if he went any slower, "he'd fall asleep". 

We hurriedly had a bowl of goulasch soup for Ron, a  beer and wine, as we had to be back to collect the laundry. Also, the last departure of the bahn to the valley was 5 PM. I wondered what would happen if we were left behind! 

As we were walking back we encountered a couple, and asked if they would take our picture together, as we wanted another one for the Deaton Creek magazine. It turned out they were American and stationed in Garmisch for a short time with their previous station being The Pentagon. They were very friendly and the lady snapped about six photos of us. We are just sorry we didn't take one without the Deaton Creek cover. Will have to try to Photo Shop it out. Our favorite picture of us was taken in about this very spot 34 years ago. At that time we were in our "hiking clothes" and walked down the mountain through the Klamm (gorge).

Coming Down Eckbauer Bahn
Garmisch Hospital growing and growing

When we got back into town, Ron dropped me off the the Bungalow 7 not far from our apartment. It used to be the Glashaus and we used to go there for internet and for light meals. We had heard it was owned by an Australian, but that rumor seemed to be false. Ron collected the laundry and dry cleaning, and came back to the Bungalow.

I had chicken thighs with blue cheese sauce since I hadn't eaten. Nothing to be repeated. I also had a "B52" coffee (Irish cream, Kahlua and Grand Marnier), which made my head rather dizzy!

Came back to the apartment in time to see the Sun setting over the Alps. Can't ask for more than that.