Peggy's Story:  a Hut to Hut hiking trip in the Stubai and Zillertal ranges of the Austrian Tirol
August 26th to September 12th, 2000
Story: Stephen Kamnitzer, pictures Peggy Gemert, Orval White.
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Peggy's story about the days in Bavaria and Innsbruck before we met in Innsbruck

Rented a car at the airport (pre-booked from Canada which is cheaper) and drove south towards Fussen. Stayed at Hotel Rubezahl, Schwangau, Bavaria which is in viewing distance of the famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenswangau castles, the one Walt Disney used as a template for his castle...Had an English tour of both castles and was one of my highlights of the trip. Also , the Hotel offered a free bicycle and I rode the bike on the trails to the castles, Fussen and surrounding area. I would love to go back and spend a few weeks cycling Germany and Austria after seeing the bike paths and how well laid out they were

Some websites on German Castles to check out:
http://www.germanworld.com/castles.htm
http://www.neuschwanstein-hotel.com/

Saturday:
Borrowed  a bike and rode 20 minutes to the Hohenswangau Castle. Was told to get there early since this is a popular place for people to visit and they were right....

• View of the Hohenswangau Castle where King Ludvic lived most of his life .
• View of Germany from one of the Hohenswangau Castle windows .
• Hiking up towards Neuschwanstein Castle. It's a good 20 minute hike up hill from Hohenswangau Castle.
• Neuschwanstein Castle from below .
• Neuschwanstein Castle from inside the walls .
• View of the swinging bridge. Took a beautiful shot of the castle later from that bridge.
• Neuschwanstein Castle a panoramic shot .
• View from the castle window at Neuschwanstein.
• Neuschwanstein Castle .
• The Panoramic shot of Neuschwanstein Castle from the swinging bridge. (Actually quite a hike uphill to get to that bridge from the castle.
• View from Neuschwanstein Castle of Hohenswangau Castle.
• View from my balcony. Hear cow bells at 5 am . Cows on their way to the farm field yonder.

Monday:
Picked up Eleanor in Garmish at the train station and had a leisurely drive in the rain to Innsbruck. On the way , I followed signs to Wasserfall and we did a short hike (45 min) to the Stubain Falls.

• Peggy at the Falls
• A Panoramic view of the Falls

Tuesday:
Shopping day. Eleanor and myself went shopping in Innsbruck and walked up the Mountain for lunch

• Eleanor with a view of Innsbruck below.
• Photo of inside a famous cathedral in Innsbruck (St.James?)
• Another photo of the interior

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