Eagles' Nest, Salt Mines, Berchtesgaden, and King's Lake

 

 We were so lucky to have a wonderful clear day for our excursion to the Eagle's nest.  This was a bus tour which allowed us to get into more things than if we had tried on our own.  Tour buses have a way of getting into the tours faster than individuals.  The only problem, you have a limited amount of time.  I would have gladly have spent more time at the Eagle's nest.  I didn't get to learn as much history as I would have liked.  However, going on a bus meant that Wayne didn't drive and he could look and enjoy the scenery.  Driving up to the Eagle's Nest is a very windy, steep road.  The regular tour buses don't do up.  We had to get on a bus that just went up this steep road.  The view so crystal clear.

 

 We could see a long ways.  If you looked out by the horizon you could see Salzburg. 

 Yes, Wayne was close to the edge several times. 

 

 

The tunnel led to the elevator where it whisked us up to the top very quickly.  Eagle's Nest was Hitler's mountain retreat.  Actually it was meant for mostly meetings.  If I remember correctly, it was not meant for sleeping.  Hitler wanted  the superior people, the best of the best.  I'm not sure he was even that.  He had so many fears.  Heights was one of his fears.  I think he was only up here around 14 times.  What a waste of time, effort and money for someone who hates heights.

We had a quick stop for lunch in Berchtesgaden.

 Then it was off to the salt mines.  Evidently there were a lot of working salt mines in the past that made the area very wealthy.  It was an interesting experience to be so deep in the mountain.  We somehow missed the opportunity to get earphones that translated our experience in English.  We heard it in German.  We went on little trains through small tunnels, then we slid down a wooden slide, got on a boat that took us across a lake and then back on the train.  It was fun, but I probably wouldn't do it again if I every go backto Salzburg. 

 

 

Our last stop of the day was to King's Lake.  When we were at the top of the mountain at Eagle's Nest we could see the lake.  We could also see Berchtesgaden.  

 

This is the view I had of Wayne on most of our hikes.