Ladner Creek

On a drive up the Coquihalla to Kelowna, Amanda and myself decided we would check out Ladner Creek trestle bridge. It's a quick hike but starts with a pretty steep loose rock hill that eventually meets up with a trail that leads you onto where the old Kettle Valley Railroad used to run. Even though the tracks are gone the path is so wide it's easy enough to figure out where they where. Eventually we ran into the tunnel which was collapsed by the property owners due to it being unsafe. There is steep path that has a rope of assistance up the left hand side of the tunnel and that we took to go see the trestle bridge! We stopped at the lookout for a photo op. After debating climbing down the sketchiest part of the hike we decided against it because I wasn't wearing the appropriate shoes for the job and didn't feel like falling to my death. So we turned back and walked back to the car and looped back to Kelowna.

Euro Trip 2013 - Germany - München & Neuschwanstein

Munich was the only city where we stayed in a hostel. Luckily for us, most places in Europe have an option for three-person hotel rooms which actually ended up being cheaper than staying in a hostel! Our first day in Munich was overcast, partially raining and cold. So we did some shopping and visited a Brau haus for some Mas Beer (1L)! 

We had an early second day of travelling as we jumped on a train from Munich to Fussen, then bused from Fussen to Hohenschwangau where we had a horse drawn ride up the Neunschwanstein Castle. We basically covered all methods of transportation that day, minus flying. We took the guided tour through the gorgeous castle which was definitely worth the line and money. After that Carlon and myself hopped the "beware of avalanche" sign and walked out to the Marienbruke bridge which gave us a full view of the castle. On our hike down the sun started to break through the clouds and gave us an awesome view of the Alpsee and Hohenschwangau Castle. After that we enjoyed a bit of the town then walked down to start our journey to Munich.

Our final full day in Munich was spent walking around seeing the sights. We watched the Rathaus-Glockenspiel play at 11am at the New Town Hall. Then we headed over and check out the Frauenkirche and its onion topped towers. We got a better view of them from the top of St. Peter's Church which was a fun tight staircase to walk up its 91m tower. The next day we boarded a train for Paris, which would be the worst train ride of my life. 

Viva Las Vegas!

My family got invited to a destination wedding in Las Vegas so we turned it into a vacation. We had a good weather for the 3 days we were there and did a whole lot of walking. Hope you enjoy my shots of the strip and the always delicious In-N-Out.

Euro Trip 2013 - Germany - Nürnberg

After staying at Elisabeth's for the week she drove me down to Nürnberg to meet up with Amanda and Carlon. Who we randomly bumped into each other crossing the street! Our first day in Nürnberg we spent wondering the town and visiting different monuments around the city. Our second day involved a little more traveling as we visited Reichsparteigelande (Nazi Party Rally Grounds). It was a close transit ride but we spent the entire day walking through the museum and touring the grounds.

Euro Trip 2013 - Germany - Coburg

On my last day with Elisabeth we went to Coburg. This town is beautiful and has a cool tie to the English Royal Family. After lunch and a very delicious Scheidmantel Bier we went to Ehrenburg Palace which was built in 1543. This castle held many famous Royalty; in 1860 Queen Victoria (whose mother and husband grew up here) met Austrian Emperor Franz Josef for the first time in The Hall of Giants. Also in 1894 many of the monarchs of WWI found themselves in Coburg for a wedding: King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II.

After, we had to bomb over to the Veste Coburg, which is a massive fortress on a hill overlooking Coburg. By the time we arrived at the castle we found out it was closing early and we had 30 min to explore. So Elisabeth took me to see the little church Martin Luther lived in for a couple of months during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530. Also the floor to ceiling wooden rooms in the castle were amazing and I could have spent hours in those rooms alone looking at all the carvings. I would love to visit this castle again and take some of the guided tours.

Euro Trip 2013 - Germany - Kornbach & Gefrees

On my way back to Gefrees with Elisabeth, I had her drop me off at my oma and opa's hometown of Kornbach which is about 10 min away from Gefrees. I had a beautiful hour to myself to explore the snow covered town, and the sun actually made an appearance for the first time in week! Last time I was here in 2006, the temperature was bordering on 40 C; this time it was well below 0 C. I walked from my oma and opa's house, through the forest, down a snow covered field, by the old school houses, visited the WWI & WWII memorial sight, through the town (40 houses) back up to my oma and opas house.

After that Elisabeth picked me back up and drove back to Gefrees. She dropped me off at the church that my oma and opa got married in; unfortunately this time it was locked. After that I told Elisabeth I would walk back to her house so I walked around the town and enjoyed the afternoon taking pictures of places I've heard stories about.