Marriage Retreat - Garmisch, Germany

Steve's company offered a marriage retreat to the company since we are deploying in just a couple of months. We got to stay at the Army Recreation Facility "Edelweiss" in Garmisch for our stay. It was wonderful. It snowed the much of the time so we were cold but it was beautiful.

The classes were put out by the Chaplain for Steve's unit as well as the Family Life chaplain on Katterbach. They did a very good job and it was obvious that they had put a lot of time into the preparation for our classes. This program was a little different from our last one but we still learned some things and enjoyed ourselves. Everything was included which means food and lodging. They even had free childcare for most everyone. We didn't make it into that but the kids were able to each stay at a friends house. Thank heavens for friends.

Our schedule:
Sunday
6:30 a.m.-Drive to Garmisch (its about a 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive)
1:30-Classes until dinner
7:00-Hang out in the hot tub outside. This was so weird because it was freezing outside and snowing on top of that, but we couldn't even feel it in the hot tub. Steam is rising all over from the cold too so its like sitting in a steam bath. We wish we had a hot tub at home. :)

Monday
We had a free morning. Some friends had convinced us to try our hand at snowboarding. So yes, we got to attempt snowboarding for the first time. It was fun but I admit that it is very difficult and I've got a long way to go. I went home with not my butt or legs hurting but my arms from trying to stand up so often after falling. Apparently this part of the alps isn't necessarily the easiest place to learn on your own. My arms are still hurting today but at least I can brush my hair and unhook my bra again. After all the pain, we both enjoyed it so much that we will probably go again but to a smaller area closer by us. There is a facility over by Grafenwoer that is only about an hour away and has much smaller slopes.

After we got back from snowboarding we walked around downtown Garmisch which is classic Bavarian perfection. Everything looks just like a postcard. We also checked out the local PX which happens to be a lot better than ours. They had really nice bikes and camping gear as well as sports gear and clothing.


After dinner Monday we had one class.

Tuesday
We had classes in the morning and then since the line for lunch was like an hour long, we went to Pizza Hut in Garmisch. It was heaven. That is one of the things that has been very different living here in Germany. Pizza just isn't the same here and neither was Pizza Hut for that matter, but it had a regular crust and most of the basic toppings. After that we stopped for gas and then decided to walk through the thrift store/antique store/gift shop on post. I actually found some really cute curtains for the kitchen so it was a success.

2:00 p.m.-Head home.

We picked up the children and neither of them wanted to come home. I must admit it is sad to have your kids not really care that you are gone for 3 days but it is good that they are independent enough to survive.

I do have some pictures of us snowboarding but I haven't gotten them yet from Steve's friend. We will post them soon.