Hiking in Germany: not for the lazy!

Germans seem to be very active people! One of Laura's friend's idea of a "relaxing vacation" was 8 hour bike rides, canyoning, and all-day hikes. I was even out-hiked by people who were at least in their 60's! Maybe 70's! I still really enjoyed hiking, though. The scenery is just so beautfiful! If you aren't in the mountains, you are in rolling hills of farm squares. Also, Germany has so many trees!! They are big, and thick, and dense, and provide very good cover from the rain (which it did a lot). Germany is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. I am already planning a trip to go back, although it might not be for a few years.

 Here are some hiking pictures:

Towns in Germany have war memorials dedicated to soldiers who fought in WWI and WWII. Even though we were fighting against the Germans in those wars, it is important to remember that these men were not just an army, but brothers, sons, husbands, and fathers too. There were some familiar names on these memorials; Werner, Winkler, and Zimmerman were some that I remember.

This is the view facing away from the War Memorial. Beautiful!

I hiked a little while in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is the view of the town from halfway up a mountain! I had some delicious apple streudel here J

This is the view from the halfway house of the War Memorial and the town, The War Memorial is that little white building in the middle of the picture with the paths leading to it. We had hiked higher than I thought!

Castle ruins- they're everwhere in Europe! I liked to imagine what life would have been like when the castles were new.

The Other Side of the Country

I also spent time with another friend in Germany, Kerry. Her village is in the western part of Germany. From here, we took trips to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg! Although the landscape is dramatically different than Garmisch-Partenkirchen, it is still beautiful!

This is the village of Fockenberg-Limbach, where Kerry and her family now live. The village is very quaint; houses are close together, flower boxes adorn every window, and windows are always open to poke your head out of. (They don't have screens, so you really can poke your head out of the window; it kind of felt like Belle's village in the Beauty and the Beast!) Her house was built in 1743, although you would never know it because it has been updated.

On our walks, we saw a lot of farmland and trees. It is so peaceful and beautiful! You may notice the giant windmills in the distance. Germany uses many resources, such as wind in windmills and sun on solar panels, to create energy in more environmentally friendly ways.

I hope these pictures inspired you to get outside and go see the beauty that God has granted us on His earth! Enjoy your day!