Towards the end of my college days I spent a summer working the Alpine Slide at the Stowe Mountain Resort. It had all the makings of a cheesy 1980s movie. Outdoors, summer job, young people, drinking, parties, new people coming and going each week or day (the tourists).
The Stowe track was concrete and the carriers were on wheels that could, could, leave the track if you took a curve fast enough. And what a great way to end your workday (if you were working the top). You’d hop on a ‘sled’ and ride the track down to your car!
Well over Labor Day weekend we stayed at the Edelweiss Lodge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (sorry, it’s only for those connected to the Armed Forces). It was one of the busiest weekend vacations we’ve had as a family. One of our activities was the Deutsche version of the Alpine Slide at Kolbensattel. It’s a way for the ski areas to run their lifts in the summer months while still generating revenue. This one was safer than the ones we
have back in the states as it appeared to be attached to the track (at least I hope it was based on how fast myself, Hunter, and Harper were going).
When I said this was the busiest weekend vacation that I could recall, I should have said we were on the move frequently, enjoying the hotel room with the beautiful view of the Zugspitz very little. For while immersed in activities there was still time to relax.
Riding the very slow moving chairlift was one such moment. Enjoying the summit restaurant was another. Sitting on their outdoor patio, we enjoyed the classic Deutsche bier offerings while taking in stunning mountain views.
When it was time to leave, Acadia joined me for the ride (being too young to ride by herself). During our trip down the track, Acadia repeated two words and two words only, ‘Faster Daddy!’
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort
As our family of five continues to age–and for the children that means growing into much larger human beings requiring more space–it’s getting tougher to fit into one hotel room.
We were fortunate on our visit to the German Alps region (Garmisch-Partenkirchen) when the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort notified us our request to upgrade to a junior suite had been granted. That meant a loft style hotel room that comfortably slept the five of us and offered views of Deutschland’s highest mountain, Zugspitz, from one of our two balconies.
The Edelweiss Resort and Lodge is one of the top military perks available to our family while stationed in Europe.
The ‘Disney’ Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is the inspiration Walt Disney used when he designed his Magic Kingdom.
Understandably so. The castle is located in the mountains overseeing a beautiful valley and exudes other worldly.
We visited the castle and what I found most shocking is that the castle was only constructed during the 19th century making it one of Deutschland’s youngest castles.
We stopped to take a picture of the kids with the iconic ‘Disney castle’ in the background for the kids teachers back in the States. While Jules was lining up the perfect shot, I found the perfect candid shot of my family.
