Day 12 - Salzburg/ Eagle's Nest

Today was an early day after a late night last night. 

Our tour to Berchdesgaden/Eagles Nest began at 8:45.  We were driven back over the border to Germany, up to the mountain called Kehlstein to a parking lot and from there we walked down the same tunnel and took the same elevator that Hitler took to his Office which one of his closest confidants had built for him.  Hitler called it Kehlsteinhaus but others referred to it as The Eagles Nest due to it's altitude (6,017 feet).

(This part of the Alps is called the low Alps. The mountains are from about 6,000 to 9,000 feet.)  

Interestingly, Hitler only visited here about 10 times during the 5 or so years after it's completion. His mistress Eva Braun spent more time there entertaining her friends.

When the allies came to liberate Germany, they bombed most of the town of Berchdesgaden because many of Hitler's closest officers had headquarters there. The mayor talked the Americans into keeping Eagles Nest for it's historical significance. At present a restaurant leases the building. 

The view from this spot is beautiful if you can get some pictures before the clouds roll in. We had great visibility on one side, but the other was solid clouds. As usual, Kate is the photographer today. My pictures will go up on Facebook when we get home. Kate's are better though.

We stopped in the town of Berchdesgaden and David and Kate had a Bavarian lunch. I just can't get into that much sausage and sauerkraut.

We are going down to the bar now to watch the USA play Algeria in the World Cup. 

Tomorrow is a super early day. We want to catch the 6 am train to Linz, then the train to Ceske and then to Prague so we can explore a little before our tour the next day. 

Hope all is well with everyone back home. We love you.