Alpine Zoo and Innsbruck

The Alpine Zoo

This was a very interesting zoo.  They only had animals that you could fine the Alps.  Now you have to realize that the alps covers many countries.  This bear just walked right out on this log and laid down.  It was great to see.  We were there right as they opened so the animals were just coming out.
To get to the zoo you can drive up the mountain or take a train up.  We took the train up to the zoo.  The zoo climbs up the mountain.  They built the habitats right into the mountain.

This is the petting zoo.  The girls really like to get up close to the animals.

When we left the zoo, we got back on the train and continued up the mountain.  The train only goes about halfway up, then you get on a sky car to get to the top.

Once you get to the top you guessed it more hiking, but the view is breathtaking.

You can see those paths in this picture so yes some people do walk up or down.  There are some crazy people who bike down.  It is insane.  They ride bikes that have no brakes, because they won't help you.  You can go to the website and see videos of people biking down.  And yes we are high enough up that there is still snow on the ground.

This is a picture of a biker going down.  It was fascinating to watch and a little scary.

Along with the biking down the mountain, some people decide to jump off the mountain.  They were fun to watch.  there are times when i think that looks like fun, but then I decide no I think I will pass.

 A1 and A2 in the snow.

 Me and the girls at the top.

 Hubby and A1 climbed across the snow to a different peak.

That is them at the top, but you see what they had to climb.

Everywhere there are these beer gardens and this is throne at the top.

 The city of Innsbruck.  It is very pretty.

This the the ski jump in Innsbruck.  It was amazing to see one up close.  You see them on the olympics and what I saw here looked nothing like what you see on TV.  Maybe it need some snow.

We had a wonderful day in Innsbruck.  We went there to drop the two oldest off to go to a youth camp in Switzerland.  They had a great time at the camp.  Maybe I will share some of T's pictures from camp.

Have a great day.

Melanie

Hiking In Oberammergau

Hiking In Oberammergau

Yes just like in Norway hiking is one of the hobbies that people in Germany have.  We hiked not to the top which you will see later in the post, but we did hike quite a ways up.  Later on during our stay the kids and I took the tram up to the top.

N and Me 

 A1 striking a pose

 This is the top.  Do you see the cross?  There were crosses everywhere.

 Dad and the kids

Do we look german?  Maybe except for the Jeff Gordan t-shirt.

 This is A1.  She is our athletic one and I had to get the picture of the fall.

 The view from about halfway up.  Oberammergau is a beautiful city.  You can see the ski slopes for the winter tourist season.

 A2 striking a pose by the stream that went through town.

Again she just can't help herself.  The stream was perfectly clear.  Just wonderful to be there during the summer.  We fell in love with Germany when we lived there about 20 years ago.  It was wonderful to be there again.

As you can see the oldest opted not to go.  You will see that she is not in a lot of pictures.  She like to take pictures, but not to be in them.  I can't wait to post the picture of her that we do have.  Keep coming back to see what else we did while were in Germany.

See you soon,

Melanie