Moonstruck Heart: European Travels: Bavaria & Austria

January 19-23, we took a drive out to Edelweiss Lodge & Resort. It's a government/military resort, a very nice place, and they offer great deals & packages, depending on rank. (We got super cheap nights & free breakfast everyday!)

View of the Alps from the hotel's parking lot the day we arrived.

This was our second trip to Edelweiss, which is in the eastern & southern area of Germany, in the Alps, and very near the Austrian border (our GPS sends us through Austria to get there!)

But traveling with a very vocal and active 8 month old (who thinks she's more like 15 months) definitely made this trip very memorable, as this was our first "family" trip.

Sleeping in the car, off & on during the drive. Mommy stayed in the back seat most of the drive to keep up with feedings and entertainment while on the road.

We drove to Edelweiss, about a 5 hour drive on the Autobahn. We took our time leaving the house to alleviate stress, and thankfully we made great time - there and back!

Friday, we took a guided tour of Kristallwelten & Innsbruck City, Austria. Glad we did because driving over the Alps on a winding, mountainous 16% grade while snowing and slick = some seriously scary shiz. But some great views!

Entrance to Kristallwelten, the Swarovski museum.

By the time we got to Innsbruck around lunch time, it was snowing, and only got heavier as the time passed. Luckily, we lugged her big stoller with us, and she was nice & cozy in many layers, blankets, hat, gloves, and the stroller even closed up to keep her dry!

Looking around, but staying warm. She actually napped off & on while exploring the city - the cobblestone streets put her right to sleep!

We had lunch at a Greek restaurant with a lovely couple who had been in the military for 27 years! Great conversation, and very admirable to hear their military story, as well. I don't think anything will keep us in the military past 20 years - if we make it that long!

Dom St. Jakob

The baby was asleep when we came across a beautiful square with a cathedral. We stopped for some photos b/c ain't nothing better than detailed architecture + perfect snow + camera!

Enjoying our stroll in Innsbruck.

On our way back to the bus, we wandered into a lovely little park, which looked as if it was straight from the set of the movie. The wet snow stuck to everything, and it was such a bright, crisp white snow. Also found a chess board, which was simply amazing. Reminded me of Harry Potter!

Giant chess board!

After Friday, our plans went downhill. We were advised not to drive to Salzburg b/c with traffic & weather, it could take up to 8 hours (google maps put it's around just over 2). Our other plan, to take a train up to Zugspitz (the highest point in the German Alps) was foiled because it was closed all weekend because of high winds. Bummer!

But we did not let these setbacks keep us locked up in our hotel room! We returned to some castles we visited last summer to see them in snow. Plus, the drives were incredible in and of themselves! Here's some pictures of our other adventures this weekend!