Germany 2013 - The Eagle's Nest

Tuesday, May 28, 2013
  Today's objective: the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden, Hitler's mountaintop retreat.
  We left our hotel in Starnberg and headed through Munich on our way southeast.  Unfortunately there was major roadwork going on in Munich and traffic was really a snarled mess for several miles, but we finally made it through.  Our route took us through the outskirts of Salzburg, Austria and so we were once again driving through Austria - but on purpose this time.  Then back into Germany, and up into the Bavarian Alps.  The weather was clear and sunny, though clouds were predicted for the afternoon, so we hurried to catch one of the buses that take you up the mountain.  The last segment s a trip in the special elevator that takes to the very top of the mountain.
  6,000 feet above sea level and a nearly 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains - the view is simply breathtaking!
  There was still a lot of snow on the mountain and the surrounding peaks.  A restaurant now operates from the house itself, and you can walk up the hill away from the house to the peak for a terrific view.  The hill happened to be blocked off with tape as the snow was melting a little in the sun and was pretty slippery, but several people had bypassed the tape and walked up, so we did too.  I took a lot of pictures but there is no way they can convey the immensity of the view.  Oh, and the video camera decided to pick today of all days to go on the fritz.  We went into the house itself but really the only remnant of Hitler's that is still there is the marble fireplace that Mussolini gave him, minus some pieces that were chipped off as souvenirs by WWII soldiers.
  We headed back to Starnberg but we wanted to skip the Munich traffic mess, so we took a route through the countryside and ended up at a little gasthaus restaurant along the way, Gasthaus zum Bruckenfischer, "Guesthouse of the Fisherman's Bridge".   We knew it would be a great place to eat as mostly only Germans would know about this place and there were quite a few people there eating and enjoying the nice weather.
  I had Jagerschnitzel, which is veal in a mushroom cream sauce served with spaetzle noodles-yummy.  We ordered apfelstrudel because I knew it would be good in a place frequented mostly by Germans- and I was right! It was deeeelicious! Happy and with full bellies, we headed back to our hotel.