Day 8 - Lakes!

After breakfast at Creepy Von Gasthaus (in addition to not telli g me they were essentially closed for the season, they also didn't mention they only accept cash), I headed toward Lake Konigsee, with a little side trip up a mountain for some Nazi sights. I saw a bunker door and a building that used to house some secret police, I think, and later I saw Hitler's Eagle's Nest from afar, but that's it. Apparently the German government decided to destroy most Nazi stuff that managed to survive Allied air strikes. Probably not a bad idea.

Next stop, a boat on Lake Konigsee. The lake shore was easily the coldest place I've been so far. I had  to go back to the car for a hat and warmer gloves (those gloves I bought for the ski trip that wasn't finally came in handy!).  Setting off on the boat, I was not expecting a very good day because the lake was seriously smothered by fog. But the boat goes to a famous (and Catholic pilgrimage) church so I thought I should go ahead anyway. Proving once again that Mother Nature don't mess with God's house, the fog miraculously lifted just as the boat approached the landing for the church.  I'm not much of a believer, but that was impressive. Without the fog, it was an absolutely gorgeous setting - lake, mountains, woods, and funky church. I got to hikes bit, eat lunch and take a ton of pictures before boarding the boat for the return trip, which was beautiful sans fog. Overall, probably my favorite thing so far.

Next stop, the Von Trapp's backyard in Salzburg!  I'm staying in a former palace on the lake in which Maria and the children fell that's primary mission now is to host international seminars. So I just got to chat with a bunch of literary types from around the world while waiting for my dinner. Alas, their favorite topics to discuss with me were Guantanamo and how stupid a lot of Americans are. I couldn't argue too much with their core principles, but I think I made a couple of good points around the edges. Maybe they don't think we're quite as awful as they did an hour ago. Then again, the points were made by an American who is not here for an academic conference but rather to go on The Sound of Music tour, so perhaps I wasn't in much of a position to fight for America's intellectual honor. Oh well, I'm still super excited about the tour tomorrow!!!!!!  :)