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Sunday, March 06, 2005
Saturday, March 05, 2005
4c. add-to fotos
Pic 1 Here the clouds briefly break and I can get a
shot at the mountain I was on top of. And now some of
you think I am a great photographer. But I’m telling
you, especially in this area, if you can hold the
camera steady so the image is sharp, you just point
and shoot--everything is beautiful!!
Pic 2 Local Garmisch-Partenkirchen church on the way
out. See what I mean about pictures?
Pic 3 One last shot of a German house before I’m gone…
shot at the mountain I was on top of. And now some of
you think I am a great photographer. But I’m telling
you, especially in this area, if you can hold the
camera steady so the image is sharp, you just point
and shoot--everything is beautiful!!
Pic 2 Local Garmisch-Partenkirchen church on the way
out. See what I mean about pictures?
Pic 3 One last shot of a German house before I’m gone…
4b. Friday and flying add-to fotos
Pic 1 A little church that is way up there soon after
you get off the tram.
Pic 2 Before I made my first run, the little lodge
and restaurant at the top. Bright up there!
Pic 3 It’s a 6 or 7 person lift, I forget, but this
may have been the Looney Lift.
Pic 4 Just to prove I was there and not copying
pictures from a brochure or something
you get off the tram.
Pic 2 Before I made my first run, the little lodge
and restaurant at the top. Bright up there!
Pic 3 It’s a 6 or 7 person lift, I forget, but this
may have been the Looney Lift.
Pic 4 Just to prove I was there and not copying
pictures from a brochure or something
Friday and Flying
March 25-26, 2005
A day for laundry, last minute errands, and packing
up. But first, one more day on the slopes!!! This
time I was off to the Zugspitze, the mother of all
mountains (in the area). I had seen it once, maybe in
a dream, because most days in Garmisch, there was a
ceiling of clouds and you weren‘t sure if it was even
there.
You can ride the tram or the train. The train goes up
through a tunnel in the middle of the mountain, but I
saved that for last and opted for the ride with a
view. What I saw was fog, fog, fog, and then WHOA!!!
Ooohs and Aaahs filled the car, apparently the same
expression in all languages. As you can see by the
pictures, what can you say more? Wow. I felt like
Julie Andrews in the sound of music, but I refrained
from singing and hopped on my snowboard instead.
A great finish to a great trip. I missed a few trains
and made it back to Frankfurt an hour before midnight
for one more stay at Josef’s. But he was not in bed,
I met him at his sister’s place where we helped her
pack for a move Saturday morning. Slept a few hours
and back to Sara’s to help move. I was there for
about an hour when the Elder’s Quorum showed up….in
force, very cool. And so leaving them all in good
hands I took the train to the airport. Only, I picked
the wrong train again and had to get a taxi back. Oh
well!
Got the snow part right. Life is about priorities, as
you know.
And caught my flight to Dubai. But that’s another
email.
Pic 1. At the tram base, looking up at the usual
cloud cover. The first time I hit the slopes to do
some shredding, it was up in that cloud bank
Pic 2 Results of the tram ride. It was an incredible
view from the top. You can see the clouds that were
down below.
Pic 3 Looking down at the Garmisch valley. Below
those clouds are several towns and sprawling rail- and
roadways. I spent most of the week down there, cloudy
everyday.
Pic 4 There is a platform at the top where you can
see pretty much 360 degrees. There is a golden cross
at the highest point, and this is a view on the
opposite side of the ascent where I would make my
first run. Those are the Alps of Austria in the
distance.
Can you say POWDER? Can you saw BIG SMILE? I could
only say over and over, WOW.
A day for laundry, last minute errands, and packing
up. But first, one more day on the slopes!!! This
time I was off to the Zugspitze, the mother of all
mountains (in the area). I had seen it once, maybe in
a dream, because most days in Garmisch, there was a
ceiling of clouds and you weren‘t sure if it was even
there.
You can ride the tram or the train. The train goes up
through a tunnel in the middle of the mountain, but I
saved that for last and opted for the ride with a
view. What I saw was fog, fog, fog, and then WHOA!!!
Ooohs and Aaahs filled the car, apparently the same
expression in all languages. As you can see by the
pictures, what can you say more? Wow. I felt like
Julie Andrews in the sound of music, but I refrained
from singing and hopped on my snowboard instead.
A great finish to a great trip. I missed a few trains
and made it back to Frankfurt an hour before midnight
for one more stay at Josef’s. But he was not in bed,
I met him at his sister’s place where we helped her
pack for a move Saturday morning. Slept a few hours
and back to Sara’s to help move. I was there for
about an hour when the Elder’s Quorum showed up….in
force, very cool. And so leaving them all in good
hands I took the train to the airport. Only, I picked
the wrong train again and had to get a taxi back. Oh
well!
Got the snow part right. Life is about priorities, as
you know.
And caught my flight to Dubai. But that’s another
email.
Pic 1. At the tram base, looking up at the usual
cloud cover. The first time I hit the slopes to do
some shredding, it was up in that cloud bank
Pic 2 Results of the tram ride. It was an incredible
view from the top. You can see the clouds that were
down below.
Pic 3 Looking down at the Garmisch valley. Below
those clouds are several towns and sprawling rail- and
roadways. I spent most of the week down there, cloudy
everyday.
Pic 4 There is a platform at the top where you can
see pretty much 360 degrees. There is a golden cross
at the highest point, and this is a view on the
opposite side of the ascent where I would make my
first run. Those are the Alps of Austria in the
distance.
Can you say POWDER? Can you saw BIG SMILE? I could
only say over and over, WOW.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
3. German Roots
Thursday, Feb 23, 2005 I awoke once again in Haus Wally. Yes, out of all the german-sounding “houses” in the area, I stayed in Haus Wally. With Max, the large German shepherd, of course, guarding the place. I am not making any of this up. I dialed the radiating heater down and set out on the train again for a town called Oettingen. What? You haven’t heard of that one? Sure enough, an obscure farming community out in the sticks, with only a bridge just big enough for the Allies to try bombing it during the war to put it on a map.
But even though a taxi was the only way I could get out there expediently, I had to go, I had to know. Why did the grandfathers of my grandfathers live there? What were we and what did we do? Yes, before the Lehenbauers picked up lock, stock, and barrel and moved out in the late 1800’s, we were there.
I had the taxi drop me off at the edge of town. I wanted to take a picture of a town plaque with the town name on it but the only thing I saw bearing the name of my local heritage was a beer truck. So be it. I mean, who knows how important that beverage was to my ancestors? ‘Oettinger Bier’ it was. I walked through, amazed at how old the structures were, occasionally checking the names on door bells just in case some relative had remained.
The town is proud of its historical buildings and hence it is quite quaint and preserves, like the land of Kings and Castles, some of its original mystique. Very cool, because the past is what I came to find. Shooting pictures left and right, the townsfolk gawked more than typical privacy-oriented Germans are wont to do. And that was before I turned the camera on myself and started narrating some video clips. Yeah, glad that family moved away” they probably thought. Anyway, I unwittingly stumbled onto a museum which happened to be free every third Thursday or something, although I already had my Euros out to pay.
The display was photos and facts about the destruction and displacement of families during the bombing of World War II, but that was after the period of my interest. So I asked for access to the upper floors. Interesting, but no family found yet. So I asked the main Frau. Lehenbauer? Yes, she had seen that name. REALLY? Yes. Apparently I had been preceded by distant relative who dropped off a comprehensive Lehenbauer genealogy. My name was even in that book, date of birth and all. I was relieved to find no date yet entered for my decease.
Well, long story more, the nice lady pulled out an old tax record. Seems only the wealthy could afford grave stones so tax records is where we found the poor Lehenbauers. Well, some things never change. The surprise? For over one hundred years we lived in the same house. She handed me an old map with its location and pointed north. For one hundred years, the Lehenbauers were……WEAVERS. Ok, I can accept that. First farmers, then weavers, then Lutheran ministers. But we certainly are diversifying now!
The house had been refurbished, but it was still in the same spot. I took pictures, I did video, the people stared. I found a house on the corner that appeared to be in its original form and took a picture of that for an example. There was a barn against the back of the house, and a cat currently on the porch. I walked around to see what they saw, the older trees, the river, the neighborhood.
I’m glad we moved. Ok?
I mean, if we were from the Garmisch area with the alps, the mountains--cool! But this was the Iowa of Germany, it seemed to me--the farmers’ fields and Oettinger beer. And sowing ain’t my thing either. I recognize that some love both Iowa and sowing, no offense. But we, the family, eventually moved on. Still, it was cool to see, to know, and even visit the church of our then religion. It was history, and it is a part of me. I took home brochures and info for further study at a later time. Now it was time for a long ride back. What was that taxi number?
Ernie
Pics: Pic 1 A view down a classic street in Oettingen
Pic 2 Town name, finally found it written somewhere!
Pic 3 The house the Lehenbauers lived in from 1750 to 1870 or so (it has been re-built)
pic 4 An older house 3 places down from the Lehenbauer house, this is probably what the houses here used to look like around the 18th century
But even though a taxi was the only way I could get out there expediently, I had to go, I had to know. Why did the grandfathers of my grandfathers live there? What were we and what did we do? Yes, before the Lehenbauers picked up lock, stock, and barrel and moved out in the late 1800’s, we were there.
I had the taxi drop me off at the edge of town. I wanted to take a picture of a town plaque with the town name on it but the only thing I saw bearing the name of my local heritage was a beer truck. So be it. I mean, who knows how important that beverage was to my ancestors? ‘Oettinger Bier’ it was. I walked through, amazed at how old the structures were, occasionally checking the names on door bells just in case some relative had remained.
The town is proud of its historical buildings and hence it is quite quaint and preserves, like the land of Kings and Castles, some of its original mystique. Very cool, because the past is what I came to find. Shooting pictures left and right, the townsfolk gawked more than typical privacy-oriented Germans are wont to do. And that was before I turned the camera on myself and started narrating some video clips. Yeah, glad that family moved away” they probably thought. Anyway, I unwittingly stumbled onto a museum which happened to be free every third Thursday or something, although I already had my Euros out to pay.
The display was photos and facts about the destruction and displacement of families during the bombing of World War II, but that was after the period of my interest. So I asked for access to the upper floors. Interesting, but no family found yet. So I asked the main Frau. Lehenbauer? Yes, she had seen that name. REALLY? Yes. Apparently I had been preceded by distant relative who dropped off a comprehensive Lehenbauer genealogy. My name was even in that book, date of birth and all. I was relieved to find no date yet entered for my decease.
Well, long story more, the nice lady pulled out an old tax record. Seems only the wealthy could afford grave stones so tax records is where we found the poor Lehenbauers. Well, some things never change. The surprise? For over one hundred years we lived in the same house. She handed me an old map with its location and pointed north. For one hundred years, the Lehenbauers were……WEAVERS. Ok, I can accept that. First farmers, then weavers, then Lutheran ministers. But we certainly are diversifying now!
The house had been refurbished, but it was still in the same spot. I took pictures, I did video, the people stared. I found a house on the corner that appeared to be in its original form and took a picture of that for an example. There was a barn against the back of the house, and a cat currently on the porch. I walked around to see what they saw, the older trees, the river, the neighborhood.
I’m glad we moved. Ok?
I mean, if we were from the Garmisch area with the alps, the mountains--cool! But this was the Iowa of Germany, it seemed to me--the farmers’ fields and Oettinger beer. And sowing ain’t my thing either. I recognize that some love both Iowa and sowing, no offense. But we, the family, eventually moved on. Still, it was cool to see, to know, and even visit the church of our then religion. It was history, and it is a part of me. I took home brochures and info for further study at a later time. Now it was time for a long ride back. What was that taxi number?
Ernie
Pics: Pic 1 A view down a classic street in Oettingen
Pic 2 Town name, finally found it written somewhere!
Pic 3 The house the Lehenbauers lived in from 1750 to 1870 or so (it has been re-built)
pic 4 An older house 3 places down from the Lehenbauer house, this is probably what the houses here used to look like around the 18th century
Tip
Rush Limbaugh just returned from a trip to Afghanistan. As I read his observations of conditions and I was intrigued that they were so similar to mine. So if you want some more in-depth detail on some of the great and not-so-great things going on over here, may I recommend Rushlimbaugh.com and click on the Afghanistan stories that interest you.
Now don't give me any hoopla about his political leanings because I read the commentaries and experiences from sources from many diverse political leanings (confessed or not) and there is value in most of them. It is understood that different authors will bring different views or interpretations to the table; you have to know the source. But like I say, his experiences mimic mine and I think you may find it interesting. The articles may be up for only a few days so I suggest you go soon and save them if you have interest but can't read them right away. That is all for now! Thank you, and good night.
Now don't give me any hoopla about his political leanings because I read the commentaries and experiences from sources from many diverse political leanings (confessed or not) and there is value in most of them. It is understood that different authors will bring different views or interpretations to the table; you have to know the source. But like I say, his experiences mimic mine and I think you may find it interesting. The articles may be up for only a few days so I suggest you go soon and save them if you have interest but can't read them right away. That is all for now! Thank you, and good night.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
News Flash from Kirkuk:
Sorry to interrupt the Germany story, but... Upon my return, I rushed happily to see my laptop computer. How I missed it! I had to see the guys as well since I have internet at the garage. Caught up on emails and news. The news? No news. Things had remained quiet, and we finally got a new shipment of some armor. Still have a job, then. But just as I brought snow to Germany with me, so I brought some louder precipitation with me to Kirkuk!
My first night back the booms started going off. Then the sirens. Off to the bunkers. A return party, I guess. And what a party. The booms kept going off and so did the siren, and it was coming from multiple directions! Never seen that here before. We weren’t allowed to leave the bunker for hours. Usually it takes 20-40 minutes. And we were grounded, not allowed to move around when it all finally quieted down. 6 weeks of quiet ended with a Bang, to say the least.
No news on what it all meant but it was the evening after some quite effective car bombs went off in Baghdad. Looks like the latest tactic is to bomb at gates of gathering. I suspect one of our gates was attacked too but no confirming reports yet. And it has been almost 48 hours since then, it has remained quiet since then.
Otherwise, I hope the reports of my Germany trip are not jamming your electronic mailboxes! I’m very sorry if it is a problem for you, let me know. I’m just kind of excited to share the story and images of the trip, before the clarity of memory diminishes too much of it! It really was a great trip for me.
Still catching up on things, but for now we return you to your regular program. Thanks for your understanding, Ernie
Sorry to interrupt the Germany story, but... Upon my return, I rushed happily to see my laptop computer. How I missed it! I had to see the guys as well since I have internet at the garage. Caught up on emails and news. The news? No news. Things had remained quiet, and we finally got a new shipment of some armor. Still have a job, then. But just as I brought snow to Germany with me, so I brought some louder precipitation with me to Kirkuk!
My first night back the booms started going off. Then the sirens. Off to the bunkers. A return party, I guess. And what a party. The booms kept going off and so did the siren, and it was coming from multiple directions! Never seen that here before. We weren’t allowed to leave the bunker for hours. Usually it takes 20-40 minutes. And we were grounded, not allowed to move around when it all finally quieted down. 6 weeks of quiet ended with a Bang, to say the least.
No news on what it all meant but it was the evening after some quite effective car bombs went off in Baghdad. Looks like the latest tactic is to bomb at gates of gathering. I suspect one of our gates was attacked too but no confirming reports yet. And it has been almost 48 hours since then, it has remained quiet since then.
Otherwise, I hope the reports of my Germany trip are not jamming your electronic mailboxes! I’m very sorry if it is a problem for you, let me know. I’m just kind of excited to share the story and images of the trip, before the clarity of memory diminishes too much of it! It really was a great trip for me.
Still catching up on things, but for now we return you to your regular program. Thanks for your understanding, Ernie
2b add- to photos
Pretty clear what these are:
1 & 3 Castle Neuschwanstein
2) Horses and buggy coming down thru the forest,
Germans in black, of course.
4) A townhall in another town close by. An old castle
was use for it instead of a modern building. This is
the side of it. Beyond it lays a park with broken
battlements and a snowy-banked green river runs by it.
1 & 3 Castle Neuschwanstein
2) Horses and buggy coming down thru the forest,
Germans in black, of course.
4) A townhall in another town close by. An old castle
was use for it instead of a modern building. This is
the side of it. Beyond it lays a park with broken
battlements and a snowy-banked green river runs by it.
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