Planes, Trains and More

We had quite a variety of transportation on this trip. Besides our car of course, we took a shuttle,  and had a rental car. We also travelled on an airplane, white water raft, zip line, horse back, hiked and train.

Glacier National Park

Such views and sights to see. Pictures don't give you a true sense of the size and beauty of this park.

Lots of walking and hiking, but the reward is the view. We got to see a glacier that many people will never see (Grinnell Glacier). The hike just getting there was unbelievable.  The lakes are blue green from minerals washed off the glaciers. When you get close to any of the bodies of water, they are very clear.

The hike along the edge of the cliff along the  Highline Trail was breathtaking. Not just for being along the edge, but looking across the valley and being at such a high altitude.

Home Again

Made it home, after the worst connections I’ve ever had! This part of the trip makes up for every other flight I’ve ever taken that has had generally good fights and connections in the past.

I had just arrived at the Munich airport via the train from Garmisch on Sunday, heading to Sunday night’s hotel near the airport, with an early Monday flight to Newark and on to Minneapolis. I received a text that because of another round of snow storms on the east coast, my Newark to Minneapolis leg was cancelled. They suggested a Munich to Houston to Denver to Minneapolis flight. Since I was already at the airport, I walked over to the Lufthansa counter to make the changes. The very nice lady at the counter found a flight that was leaving in an hour from Munich to Chicago to Minneapolis! After printing my paperwork, she walked with me to baggage check and expedited me through the line. Got through security ok and hit a 30 minute wait in the very large crowd at Customs control. Then a 10 minute walk to the gate. I always wondered who that guy was that was the last one to board the plane. Now I know!

The 9 ½ hour flight was uneventful. Got to watch the Super Bowl on the airplane live feed. As we neared Chicago we were told it was snowing and blowing. Landing was no problem, but for some reason there was only one gate in operation, and we were the tenth plane in line! After a four hour wait, we finally got off the plane. That is only the beginning of the mess. To summarize, it took another 2 ½ hours to get our bags, another 1 ½ hour wait for a hotel shuttle which never arrived so ended waiting in the taxi line for that ride. Got a two hour nap and a shower then back to the airport. Finally getting out of Chicago and landing in Minneapolis. At this point, Chicago and Minneapolis weather was fine. My flight had a three hour delay because Detroit planes ahead of us were being delayed and cancelled all morning. As a bonus, once I got to Minneapolis, my checked bag didn’t. So, I filed a claim and headed home. By the time I got home and had a bite to eat before falling asleep, I had been up for 44 hours with a two hour nap in the middle. After a 12 hour sleep in my own bed, I’m starting to feel better.  It was quite an adventure!

Good to see Stephen

Was sure good to see Stephen. Today he and his group will snowboard at St Anton's in Austria and I start working my way home. Auf weider San.

Better weather today

Nice sunny day with fresh snow from last night. The group decided to ski at Garmisch instead of a road trip to St Anton with bad roads this morning. Looks like a good choice.

However, my skiing  is done. Broken rib from yesterday afternoon's fall. Sore but I'll be ok.

Tough skiing at Stubai Glacier, Austria

Wind advisory today. Very cloudy and hard to see the snow under your  feet.  Takes 20-30 minutes to get  to the top and longer coming  down.

Made it to Garmisch

Had a nice chat with a guy from Norway on the train. He's also going skiing. Here's a picture of me, my rental car and the room for tonight.

And the view from my window.