Kochel Am See - June 30, 2010

Every day of our Europe trip was fantastic, so it never occurred to me to pick a favorite. Yet invariably that is the first question people ask, "What was your favorite thing/place?" I still don't think I could ever pick a favorite, but this place was extra enchanting and I find myself wishing to return for long weekend visits to just relax and explore.

In Bavaria on the shores of Kochelsee in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen lies Kochel Am See (Kochel on the Lake). We had not planned to stay here. Mom's original plan between Salzburg and Oberammergau called for taking the Autobahn to Munich, then south, spending one night in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area. That morning, we decided to take the smaller, red road looked fine (interesting how we evaluate roads on a map by color) through Bad Tolz and look for a small town after rejoining the autobahn.

We pulled off to look in Grossweil. Didn't find much and it was still early, so we drove a bit further to Schlehdorf on the shores of Kochelsee. We almost had a room, but things seemed a bit flakey and the room they wound up giving us was fly-infested and unkempt. We drove on again to Kochel Am See and quickly found a hotel to our liking: Hotel zur Post. We arrived just before 6 pm and went for a walk around town. Only a small cafe was open, so gelato was our dinner before going down to the lake.

Though nearly deserted now (not quite vacation season there), it is obvious this is a bustling vacation spot. Boat docks, swimming areas, walking paths and parks, even an overgrown mini-golf course, spoke of the popularity of this lake and town and it was easy to see why. A sea of glass with occasional ripples reflects the majestic alps and surrounding hills. You just absorb the peace and calm. To add to the splendor, a majestic swan appeared just before sunset. (Mom was SO patient with two photographers snapping hundreds of photos!)

Early the next morning, I walked the trails alone. The morning sun creates beautiful colors and wonderful photo ops, plus that freshness only early mornings can give. There were church bells, of course, but the solitude was wonderful. I meandered over the hill to the lake, knowing it was silly to hope that swan would still be there... in fact, hoping there would be a pair of swans, as if wishes could control wild creatures. Well, I got my wish! And further around the point was a family - Dad, Mom and baby swan. I almost wore my camera out. Not really, but I did take tons of photos.

To top off the morning walk, there in the early morning on the shores, a man was serenading the world with his accordion. Right on the water's edge he played a lilting oom-pa-pa tune that floated across the smooth waters. Cheerful and soothing, not brash at all.

At trail's end (or the beginning if you start at the parking lot) a sign honors the town's famous artist, Franz Marc. One of his paintings shows twin haystacks over poles - Heuhocken. Yes, I put this in Google and translated it. Do it for yourself. I love literal translations. :-)



This is definitely on my list of places to go again. Wish it wasn't so far away.
More Photos on my Flickr