While we were on our trip we also visited another lake, the beautiful “Königssee” (kings lake) which faces the East-Face (Ostwand) of the “Watzmann” mountain. It is the third highest mountain in Germany and 101 people have died already trying to climb that East-Face of the mountain.
When we arrived there we were kind of shocked to see the hoards of tourists but once you are on one of the electric-powered passenger ships to the pilgrimage church St. Bartholomä (first chapel was built in 1134), you feel the serene surroundings of the lake. It is stunning! The lake is within a National Park and you aren’t allowed to use motor boats, fish or do anything else on it that most people consider fun but as a result it has the cleanest water and you can even drink it if you want. Swimming is permitted but the mountain lake is freezing…I saw a couple people who rented a row boat to go swimming but you couldn’t have paid me to jump in. Brrrr, I get cold just thinking about it.
On the way to the church you pass a spot along a high rock wall where 70 pilgrims drowned in 1688 during a storm. Which scared my kiddos to death.
And they also show you the stunning echo of the mountains by playing a song on the trumpet.
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| Unfortunately the mountain was hiding under the clouds that day. |
I can’t imagine living the life of the two families that still live at the secluded spot of the church. It’s the family of the fisher (only person who is allowed to fish in the lake) and the restaurant keeper. My kids were shocked to think of a family having to live so far away from a town and only being able to reach anything by boat again. Winters certainly are tough out there as well.
The handful of old Bavarian homes are beautiful:
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| Isn’t this door amazing? Yes, I know me and the doors…my husband is starting to get annoyed with all the door photos, but hey, I love doors…that’s all I can say. |
Do you want to see how we usually take family photos? It’s mostly a battle to keep the kids from fighting and here are a couple of pictures to document this. Makes me laugh:
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| And the last picture is my dear daughter trying to kick her brother out of the picture! That is typical behavior for the little “Hexlein” (little witch), because that’s what we call her, haha. |
Here are some more impressions of our visit and they bring this post to an end.
It was another gorgeous day spent with my dad, who took most of the photos of us. My kids have some great memories with their “Opa” and I’m very grateful for that.
Talk to you on Friday my friends.
Tschüß
2017
Burg Eltz
Cochem and Reisburg Cochem
Luxembourg City and Trier (written by my son)
2016
Bamberg
Upside-Down House, Wertheim
Hamburg – St.Pauli (written by my son)
Schwerin, Lübeck
Traveling abroad with fear
Alicja says
August 21, 2013 at 8:22 amWhat a magical place! I guess silence ringing in the ears! Wonderfully! Hugs! 🙂
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 4:52 pmThanks Alicja and yes once you are out on a boat it’s so quiet.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
August 21, 2013 at 12:52 pmbreath taken away. that’s all.
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm🙂
Sheryll And Critters. says
August 21, 2013 at 1:00 pmOh I loved all the pictures. Cute family ones too, that the kids will laugh at when they are grown. And am I the only one that thought of a big, snowflake when seeing the green door? I would seriously paint my front door with that design if it did not have a glass oval in the center of it. I have loved all the doors so far. I even have the very deep, dark forest green shutters on my windows (non functioning).
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 5:03 pmThat’s awesome! I think you should paint your door like that.
the cape on the corner says
August 21, 2013 at 1:18 pmgorgeous!
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 5:03 pmThanks!
Nancy says
August 21, 2013 at 2:19 pmI told my husband “we’re flying to Germany on our vacation this year”. He said “then get to bookin those flights”. Unfortunately, as much as he’d like to go to, it can’t happen this year. But for a moment we were both excited about our “trip”. lol
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 5:04 pmWell then you should do it when you can but I know they are horribly expensive right now! I couldn’t do it if I wouldn’t be staying with my family.
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says
August 21, 2013 at 2:53 pmWoah…that water…it’s so clear and beautiful! I am loving all the photos of your trip and I’m also a fan of doors so keep the door pics coming! 😉 I’m so glad you all are having a blast and the family photos about made me spit out my coffee. Hilarious!
Julia Konya says
August 21, 2013 at 4:53 pmRight? I know! I was thinking about painting my door like that for Christmas!
Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says
August 21, 2013 at 5:24 pmBreathtaking!
Thank you so very much for sharing these magical places.
Susan D says
August 21, 2013 at 5:29 pmI am really enjoying all your posts about Germany. Your photos are amazing.
Jennifer BNHblog says
August 21, 2013 at 7:22 pmWhat lovely, photos. Thanks for sharing! I always wonder what it would be like to be the people we encounter when we travel, like that family who lives on the lake. That’s one of the great things about traveling—being able to step outside yourself : ]
[email protected] says
August 21, 2013 at 7:45 pmThat door is amazing! So in love!
Mrs. DeVore says
August 21, 2013 at 8:23 pmThat water is beautiful!
Sara says
August 21, 2013 at 10:53 pmThose family pictures are hilarious!! I feel bad for Noah getting shoved out lol.
The rest of your pictures are amazing…makes me want to travel again!
Lindsay at Life of Splendor says
August 22, 2013 at 1:51 amOh I wish I was there with you, Julia! Everything you post is so beautiful. I know y’all have to be having the most amazing time 🙂
Brynne Delerson says
August 22, 2013 at 1:33 pmThe lake is so gorgeous! It’ hard for me to imagine a lake pure enough to drink from, but I believe it just from the photos 🙂
I also love all the beautiful door photos you’ve been posting! That “snowflake” one is a work of art.
Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says
August 22, 2013 at 2:29 pmYou guys are having such amazing experiences! And that door…steal it and ship it home 😉 It would make a great sliding barn door!
annie hearts says
August 23, 2013 at 11:26 pmSO beautiful! I’m dreaming of traveling right now like you can’t believe!!
I love your little stories too. They’re so interesting!
Annie XO
[email protected] says
August 24, 2013 at 12:13 amI like the pictures of the doors 🙂 (every time I’m obsessed with something, hubby gets annoyed too)ha!ha! 🙂 & you guys taking those pictures is funny too, we don’t have great family pictures with Nate because he cries when we try to hold him still! ah! 🙂
& wow! it’s so beautiful there, love the pictures and nope I wouldn’t want to be those 2 families living there, I would be scared 🙂
continue enjoy your time with your family! have fun! 🙂
Erin and Laura House Envy says
August 24, 2013 at 2:33 amAll I can say is WOW! The pictures are breath taking! Love the outtakes photos. So true to life and so memorable!
Laura