My Camp David

The holidays are almost over and I hope everyone who reads this has a bright new year ahead. I just returned from a week at my favorite place on earth. I think I say that a lot, and I do love many places, however, Garmisch is truly one of my favorite places to spend time.

The other day I was explaining to my 12 year old daughter why in America we have a Camp David and why our presidents go there to find a little peace and quiet. This conversation with my daughter, got me thinking that Garmisch is my Camp David. A place for my family to get away from all the stresses of daily life.

Garmisch is heaven on earth for me. Garmisch is a small town situated between Munich, Germany and Innsbruck Austria. This tiny little town that sits at the base of the majestic Zugspitze and German Alps has so much to offer.  It speaks to me, natures beautiful serenity stands alone here and completely fills me up. Garmisch is truly magical in every season. I love to visit in the spring, when the mountains are a vivid green and the flowers are blooming. I love how in this region of Germany the buildings all have flower baskets overflowing with geraniums and petunias. Garmisch in the fall is also equally special, with the falling leaves and crisp air as it's backdrop.

This visit, my family and I were so blessed to visit Garmisch at Christmas time.  We arrived in Garmisch with it being completely covered in snow. I'm not generally a fan of snow.  I don't usually like how it hinders my plans, but I loved it so much during my holiday. We spent everyday in the snow hiking and snowshoeing. My favorite days were spent hiking around Lake Eibsee, traveling to the top of the Zugspitze mountain by a cog train and then taking a gondola down the steep face of the 9,000ft mountain. The snow and the landscape created a breathtaking backdrop for a week filled with memories I will treasure forever.

 On my most favorite day we traveled to the top of another mountain range by yet another gondola. Every time I step out into the beautiful mountains there I feel like Julie Andrews and I want to start singing, "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music".

There are many reasons why Garmisch is my favorite place besides its beautiful landscape. I love strolling through the little downtown area, and window shopping the lovely Bavarian shops. Each and every time we visit, we eat at the Kronner Konditorei, which has been around since 1759 and after a day of hiking or snowshoeing my family and I enjoy taking a rest there. Just like Garmisch itself, this delicate eatery is wonderful every season. When we visited this fall, we had the best pumpkin soup.  This visit we delighted in warm frothy milk served with 3 truffles to be added and lightly whipped to perfection. Wow!! Why have I never thought of such a drink before? 

The food at any of Garmisch's restaurants is also a real treat. Here in Bavaria they enjoy hearty meals. I guess that's what you might call "comfort food", food that reminds me of a simpler life. I love Garmisch because it allows me to be my simpler self. I am a girl who likes getting dressed everyday. I love clothes and put a lot of thought into packing my suitcase for a vacation. I pack lots of skirts and boots but every time I come for a visit here I find I packed way too many clothes. Garmisch doesn't allow you to be pretentious. The weather and outdoors demand your attention. I only needed to bring, a fleece, some snow pants and a pair of jeans.  Again, this is another way that this magical place quiets my mind and allows me to just be.

Every time I leave Garmisch I feel sadness as I look around at her landscape trying to take it all in. I quietly say to myself, "Till we meet again". Luckily, Garmisch is only a few hours from our home here in Germany. I will visit my Camp David again in the new year and it will renew me and give my family and I a chance to get away from it all.