30 July 2008

Trek to the Tegelberg


I went to the top of the Tegelberg yesterday, which I found out is not the highest peak in the region: it is the second highest. (I was misinformed)

I keep asking myself why I did it and was it worth it? I still don't know. Here are some notes I took on my first break yesterday:

"This was much harder than I thought. I just stopped for a beer at the half way point of the hike (I think). My face is salty and my back is sweaty. I think it's the hottest day of the year so far. Definitely the most humid. (around 88F/33C with 85% humidity) *checks time* I've been walking uphill for an hour. Oh no, that means I'm only 1/3 of the way up. And that's after a 30 minute bike ride, too. Thankfully, I brought some lunch and there's another restaurant further up to boot. I must say I am annoyed by all of the people passing me the other way. Most of them took the cable car up, of course, so they are not sweaty or out of breath like I am. Fuckers. I wish they weren't allowed to go down the same way we're hiking up." The ones who didn't cheat!

After another beer at the top, I started to take a trail that seemed to be going down for awhile then started going up again. I was so pissed off, I ranted as I hiked back another 20 minutes to take the same trail down. I didn't want to take the same way down, but I had no choice. It was really steep and very rocky during parts. My knees took a lot of abuse on the last stretch down, which was paved but pretty much vertical. I never get knee pain normally, but today my right one hurts. I got on my bike a couple times today to stretch it out a bit, but my body waist-down is wrecked. And I have sunburn on my shoulders and chest because I failed to properly cover myself with SPF 20.

It took me almost 6 hours of walking round trip. Plus over almost an hour biking there and back. I feel a sense of accomplishment, sure. But really, if I had it to do again, I don't know if I would. It was really hard and the photos were good, but not breath-taking. Perhaps you guys will think otherwise.

The first part of the hike:
The first break. (Notice the natural arch):




This was one of the paths I could've taken up:View from the top:

Füssen from above:

Forggensee:

The descent:



Check out the so-called "path" I had to climb down:

25 July 2008

Weißensee


I went for a ride to Weißensee today. I was there once before in early spring on a really ugly day. I always thought it was especially beautiful because of the pebbly bottom and the crystal clear water. Today it was even more beautiful than I remembered it. I was upset that I didn't bring my swimsuit because there was nobody around and the water was so inviting, so I took my shoes off and walked around a bit. The pebbles at the bottom really hurt to walk on so I wasn't there long. Then I rode around the lake until I got to a point where I couldn't bring the bike anymore. I came across a waterfall, which was pretty cool.

I went back around and by then I was a little hot from riding and walking. I really wanted to swim! Then it occurred to me that the underwear I was wearing was dark blue, so I decided that nobody would know the difference and I took off my shorts and went for a swim. I figure it wouldn't matter since people often swim here nude anyway. And I must say, it was liberating. And just look at how clean the water is. It was like heaven. Swimming there was so much better than Schwansee, as lovely as that is. I found a new favorite spot!





Panorama:

06 July 2008

Visitors!

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of updates again, but I had guests last weekend and then I started school on Monday. I need to get into a new routine now.

Last weekend my friends Michael and Sven came to visit! I met Michael for the first time when I was here last year, and now I finally got to meet Sven as well. For those of you who don't know, I've been friends with these guys for years through the modern marvel known as the internet. First on a music forum that I choose to not endorse, then on Beyond The Groove. (see link on the right) Anyway, it was a blast. We listened to records, drank lots of beer out of giant mugs and had a great time! We also went to the Lechfall and Kalvarienberg so they could see how beautiful this place is. Here are a couple of photos:




This week I finally went swimming, too! I went to the Schwansee, which is the lake in the photo above. It was really nice. I was a little freaked out because I haven't swum in a natural body of water for years. I didn't go to far out. It isn't terribly deep, and I know how to swim so who cares if it is, right? But I can't help it, it takes me awhile to get comfortable. There are a couple of lakes that are closer but they're not as picturesque.

I missed Independence day for the first time since I was 12 this year. Actually, I didn't even think about the fact that I missed it before until right this minute. I can't say I missed the noise, but I definitely missed the BBQ's.