***Following our time in Germany, we moved to Denver. It was with chagrin that I, who had so passionately dreamed of the magnificent Rockies since I was a little girl, having never seen a mountain, was ultimately disappointed to be there. It was kind of "How you gonna keep them down on the farm, after they've seen Paree?"(Paris-old tune)
But living so close to the Alps is a pretty hard act to follow. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain peak in Germany. We went there one day and took a tram up. Like no other. Had done similar summer ski slope ascents in the States, where it was fun and exhilarating, but this was an entirely different animal. Scary doesn't cover it. Because of the nature of the beast, the danger, we had to leave you in a nursery there. As we ascended towards the face of the Zugspitze in our puny little cable car, it appeared inevitable we would slam right into that imposing rock wall. "Too young to die, too young to die," my brain kept pulsing to my terrorized heart. My heart mourned for you, soon the littlest of orphans. Closer, closer. The sheer physicality of the the mountain made a mockery of these tiny human invaders approaching. Adrenaline rush? Adrenaline overload! "Holy S***! At the last moment we unexpectedly veered, and instead of splattering ourselves on the rock, we were lifted to its crown.
Once out of our metal cage, and able to breathe again, albeit with difficulty at such altitude, we were stunned by the view. The crystal blue of the Alpine lakes, shimmering against the stark white brilliance of the massive mountain arms they were cradled in. The dome of the cerulean sky blazing shamelessly over the endlessness of it all. Who could conceive of such absolute raw majesty?
On the way down the slopes, when life no longer seemed in such jeporady, I realized how worth it had been to feel like one had risked everything, however unintentionally, to experience something so overpowering. Still, I was even more thrilled to hold you in my arms again and hope that the blessing of raising you would be forever mine.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat now. A pounding heartbeat.
***photo from: lifeslittleadventures.typepad.com/photos/unca.
2 comments:
Hello Melinda,
that's a great story about your trip to the Zugspitze!
Was it that scary? ;o)
Best Regards
Join the Zugspitzeclub
www.zugspitzeclub.com
Hi there!
Thank you for your comment. Yes, it was really scary to me. But then scary can be good at times. Makes you feel alive. And I would love to go again for the sheer beauty.
Are your experiences different there?
Thanks for the link!
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