European Vacation 2013 - Day 4

I started my day a little earlier than everyone else by going to the grocery store.  It was quite an experience trying to find things we'd like all the while trying to figure out the cost Euros to US dollars.  I was rather proud of myself by the time I got back.

Upon my return, everyone was getting up so we started our morning with breakfast and B opening his birthday gifts.

This was his 11th birthday so we let him choose where we were going for the day.  He wanted to go see Kehlsteinhaus (called the "Eagle's Nest" in English speaking countries), the gift given to Hitler for his 50th birthday.  So off we headed to Obersalzberg to find it.  It was a beautiful drive.  We ooo-ed and aaaahhhh-ed every 30 seconds - or so it seemed.

The fall colors were amazing!  Our photos do not show the deep colors we saw.

When we arrived at the Eagle's Nest, we quickly found our way to the ticket window to board a bus up the mountain.  Cars are not allowed to drive past the parking lot.  So everyone going up has to ride a bus.  The road is right   on   the   e d g e   of the mountain.  (The house was not destroyed during WWII and is a popular tourist attraction now.)

Soon we were walking through the tunnel into the side of the mountain, riding up on the elevator, and walking outside the chalet.  The view was amazing!  We explored for a couple of hours, had a snack at the cafe then headed back down.

Mom and the birthday boy

The actual building is on the edge of the mountain.  The view is spectacular in every direction!

Dad and the birthday boy

We found plenty of rocks to climb.

We had a tray of meats and cheeses for a snack.  The kids plunged into it before I could snap a photo of it.  It didn't last long.

I finally got a photo of the tunnel without extra people in it as we were leaving.  Notice the TWO sets of iron doors.

We had things for sandwiches in the van so we ate lunch in the parking lot then headed to another adventure.

A few miles away we found the Salt Mine in Berchtesgaden.  They did not allow photos to be taken inside the mine but it was a very fun afternoon adventure.  We would recommend this to folks of all ages.  We were the only Americans on the tour and had the only children.  When three of us went down the slide yelling "whoo-hoo!", it made the others laugh.

Everyone had to wear these special suits to enter the salt mine.  It was a bit chilly so we were happy to have them.

After our Salt Mine tour, we headed back toward Schliersee.  We found a pizzeria in Schliersee for dinner.  Back at the condo, we enjoyed some cookies to finish off the birthday celebration.  It was a fun birthday for our boy!!

Every village had a church.

We found the ice cream shop often.