Todd & Abby in Munich!

Todd, Abby, Missy & Steve

My brother Todd and his wife Abby were our next visitors.  What a fabulous visit we had with them! It was so great that they had the opportunity to travel as a couple. Their two sweet boys were well cared for back in Atlanta by my parents and Abby's parents.

We started them off with dinner at one of our favorite local German restaurants. It's cozy and full of Bavarian charm and the food is always delicious!

Abby, Todd, Rachel, AJ, Stefanie, Missy & Steve

Abby & Todd

Any trip to Bavaria in September of course includes Oktoberfest. We first did a guided tour learning about the oldest rides and exhibits. A fun fact, the two old rides were originally powered by men pushing a wheel underneath the rides. They were paid in food and beer. This meant that the rides didn't often run past lunch because the workers were too drunk!  It was a beautiful day to explore Oktoberfest, and through the guided tour we found out only 20 percent of Oktoberfest visitors actually visit more than the tents!  And there is more to see; rides, games, food and the Alte Wiesn. The Alte Wiesn is arranged how Oktoberfest looked many years ago and has historical exhibits. It also has a special beer only served there.

Gorgeous Day to be outside with a bier!

After enjoying the Alte Wiesn we had tickets for a table in the Marstall tent. While you can often find a seat in Oktoberfest tents, you are guaranteed a spot for 3-4 hours if you reserve tickets ahead of time. We had a table for eight so some of our good friends joined us for a fun afternoon of eating, drinking and dancing. Although they did keep making us get off the benches!

Steve, Missy, Wendy, Denise, Lana, Dorothe, Todd & Abby

Bavarian kids!

Abby, Todd, Missy & Steve at Marstall

Afterwards I convince Steve, Todd and Abby to ride the ferris wheel.  I have been wanting to ride it for the last three years. Ferris Wheels scare me (thanks to my cousin Andy) but I love the view! And the view was well worth it, especially on such a beautiful day!

The part of Oktoberfest many visitors never see!

The Oktoberfest Tents

The next day we explored Linderhof, Oberammergau, and Ettal Monastery. Todd also brought some "friends" on the trip. They appear in various pictures. If you know my brother than you aren't surprised that Han Solo and Spiderman were the lego friends that joined him.

Todd & Missy

Han Solo uses the Force (even though that's not his thing)

Todd & Abby at Linderhof Palace

Todd and Abby did some exploring on their own. Of course they didn't miss out on Neuschwanstein. That evening Todd and Steve headed back to Oktorbefest for guys night and Abby and I had girls night with my girlfriends. Of course this was a good night. 

Abby and I ran several times while they were here. I was training for the Munich Half Marathon and she had a big triathlon the same weekend. Our best run was a 10 miler to Andechs Monastery. This is Steve's favorite place in all of Bavaria. Our run was tough after a fun night out but we made it and the reward was excellent. Not only did we enjoy our post run meal and rehydration in the biergarten, it was also the Andechser Dreihostienfest. This is the ONE day of the year that the relic room is open to the public. We were there in time to see the procession from altar to altar around the grounds of the monastery. The three holy hosts were carried throughout the grounds. To learn more about the relics, click on the Andechs Monastery link.

Dreishostien Procession

Relic Room

We went to a concert that night, Aaron Lordson, a Munich street performer who has found great community support.  Han particularly enjoyed it!

Todd and Abby did some Austria exploring on their own. Visiting Salzburg and Berteschgaden. All credit for the following photo captions go to Todd.

Family von Mowinski 

I am 40 going on 41...

We spent their last day in Munich touring churches, seeing the highlights and of course lunching in a brewery. Such a great visit, we are so glad they could visit!

Beautiful temporary exhibit at the Holy Ghost Church

Han enjoyed lunch!