Disney Castles Tour: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau

Germany has castles; really cool castles. Mom and I were able to visit three in a day (for a mere 25 Euros, or $40 per person nonetheless). We visited Neuschwanstein (above), Linderhof Palace (directly below), and Hohenschwangau (two below).
We actually toured Linderhof first because it is located in Austria and was the closest destination to Reutte, where we had just stayed. This is the palace where King Ludwig, the one many called crazy, spent the last years of his pathetic life. The inside of all three castles are, unfortunately, photofree zones. The inside of Linderhof is almost entirely gold plated and is completely unrealistic fantasy. Linderhof is also the site of a large manmade cave, complete with colored lights (one of the first electric-lighted places in Europe) and everything else we've seen at Disneyland -- Walt would have been lost with Ludwig's misguided genius.
Hohenschwangau was castle #2 for the day and was designed by Ludwig's father. It is much more livable and in a sense normal, as far as royal castles go.

Before leaving Linderhof, however, we spent quite a bit of time on the grounds. The smallest of the three castles, it is nestled deep in the edge of the Austrian alps. There are small ponds, creeks, and trails dotting the tourist map. If I recall, on a previous tour I was told that this palace was initially a hunting lodge (Ludwig in his obsessions turned it into a wanna-be French thing).
We stopped and had a little picnic lunch along this lake. It's a rough view but somebody had to take it in.
At the edge of the lake, the water was a glowing green color. There are a lot of interesting water colors in the Alpine creeks, rivers, and lakes; varying from perfectly clear to white, gray, blue, green, and all between.

Keeping with the lake theme, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, which are located within about 500 yards of each other, also sit next to some pretty puddles.
Germany is shameless with their tourism. Nearly every public restroom in the country has a fee. This one cost us 50 cents per person (though we might have hopped the bar once due to a lack of change). After $40 each you think they would let us freshen up.
Hohenshwangau, barely in the picture above, looks over a lush valley. I would consider myself privileged to live in such a pretty place. I would consider myself even more privileged if I had a summer castle with this sort of view.

Last thing of the day (with the exception of 3 hours in the car) we hiked up to Neuschwanstein, the unfinished, unbelievable mansion castle that inspired one of the world's greatest dreamers, as mentioned Walt Disney. Yes, Elsa, this is where it all began.
Mom was kind enough to pose in the exact same spot that Dad did for me 3 years ago.

The entrance was large enough to drive a coach through, then safely exit once inside. And the castle was large enough to host half of the country. Pictured below is an interior courtyard where a church was planned but never erected. All construction stopped abruptly when Ludwig mysteriously died.
In my quick assessment, King Ludwig was not crazy, he was eccentric. I guess a nice way of saying it is that he was fabulouss (emphasize the lisp). My firm opinion, after multiple tours, is that he was gay in an era that didn't coddle that sort of behavior, while at the same time he was a figurehead that stood in the way of a coming government in the united Germany. After all, what are the odds of two people drowning (Ludwig and the Dr. that diagnosed him as crazy) in waste deep water one week after being labeled insane?

Heidelberg, Germany

Long planned and longer awaited, I finally visited Heidelberg with my buddy Greenie. We stayed with the Melli family, missionaries who go back with me to my college days. Heidelberg is a military town with a large U.S. base; it also has a huge fortress, half in ruin. The city is situated along a river, between two long hills. As you look up, the fortress would have protected both the city and the passage on the river.
It was a formidable structure that has taken centuries to start the process of decay, though with a few exceptions as shown above the fortress is in great shape.
Crossing the river and climbing up, up, and up some more stairs is the famous philosopher's way. True to its name we pondered and debated intense topics; the meaning of life, whether or not to count wood chuck chucking records if the wood chuck had used any sort of steroid, and relationships - you know, un-understandable topics.
The city is quaint and small, situated neatly. As with many German cities it also boasts a nice walking district where cars and bicycles are not allowed. These areas are always the most happening part of town filled with street cafes, shopping and restaurants.
This trip was a great relationtional relief after a long spell away from my friends and computer. If you squint just right you can see Greenie and the girls walking above. After 12 days alone, this trip refilled me. It also put me two hours closer to Frankfurt Airport where my mom was to arrive in only a few days.