Traveling Walkers: Our Europe Adventure: Part 13

Friday, October 12, 2012

Our Europe Adventure: Part 13 - Kehlsteinhaus

We woke up on Friday morning with the plan to head to Salzburg first thing and do some exploring. When we got outside and were packing the car though, we realized the day was sunny and finally clear for the first time since we had arrived in Berchtesgaden. We changed up our plan right then and there and headed for Kehlsteinhaus, which is one of the higher points around Berchtesgaden. It was originally constructed for Hitler as a birthday present, for him to use as a getaway. He rarely used it and after the war the Allies turned over Bavaria. It is now a tourist stop and has a restaurant.

To get there, you drive up a mountain for a while, then take a bus up a super windy road. When you are almost at the top, there is a solid gold elevator to take you the rest of the way up to the very top.

Cameron, Leah and Daddy standing in front of the tunnel that leads to the elevator

Walking into the tunnel. I love that Leah is peeking over Daddy's shoulder.

Hello, beautiful view from the top! Check out the clouds settled in that little valley. Guess where that is? Konigsee! So even if we had decided to go on the boat ride this morning, it probably would have been just as cloudy as yesterday. Pretty funny, but wow does it look neat from above!

Not a bad place to stop for a snack - what a view!

A little friend who landed near us while we were having a snack. I think he was hoping we would leave some crumbs for him. Lucky for the bird, Leah was with us so there were definitely crumbs left behind.

We climbed up the mountain above Kehlsteinhaus. That is the tea house (now restaurant) in the middle of the picture.

We told Leah she had to walk up to the top herself (what mean parents we are, making her walk so much!), so Tim and Cameron went ahead while Leah and I made our way up at her pace. That is us in the middle of the picture, taking it one step at a time.