Heaven on Earth

Once upon a time there was a family that was in need of family time with a getaway that didn't darn near kill them (EuroDisney for sure about killed them, the parents, not the kids, they are still on a high). So off to Bavaria they went. Really, it is the only place on earth to getaway from it all, the closest thing to heaven that I have experienced. Bavaria is the reason we are able to still breath and control our blood pressure. It is grand, breathtaking and peaceful.

This time we decided there were to be no grand road trips to places where we battle with the tourists. We stayed local and experienced the best Garmisch trip so far. We took the kids to the swimming pool every morning then went out by 10 am and back to the hotel to lounge by 4. Perfect!
The first day we hiked Partnach Gorge. We had several friends tell us it was a "must do" so we did it! It is amazing to me that because of the hard work of man, who built the "trail" that allows you to walk to the other side of the gorge, you get a safe walk that gets you as close as possible to the most treacherous thing we have seen. But we were totally safe and got to witness it right in front of our faces and feel the water drip onto our heads. The water was ice blue, so clean you could see to the bottom. The water is running off the glaciers of the Alps, so it is bitter cold. Despite that, we couldn't help dipping our piggies in the water for a second. More than a second and you were instantly stinging from the cold.




My husband thinks it is oh so funny to get the kids to squirm. But really, why should they squirm when they see us being affectionate to each other? Isn't that what moms and dads are supposed to do? So here is the conversation during the smooch. Bailey says, "Ewh, that is SO gross!" McKenna replies, "That's not ewh, THAT'S love!" HA!

The Frandsen's are notorious for rewarding our travel efforts with ice cream. We. can. not. say. no. I have no idea what the European's do to their ice cream but it is darn near the closest thing to crack! Someday I bet there will be a footnote to the Word of Wisdom that says, "Though shalt not partake of European ice cream, for if thou doest this, thou wilt surely die of over indulgence" But, is that really a bad way to go?


I wanted to include video of the Gorge so that you could see the clear water and hear how loud it was. It was so much louder and darker as you continued into the gorge. A little eerie in places and I found myself grasping for my kids hands and being such a mom, "Girls, go slow, stay away from the edge, quit tempting fate, I don't want to die of a heart attack at the young age of 20!"