What a difference the sun makes

What a difference from summer

Today was reserved to drive over into Austria about 45 min. to the small Alpine farm at Engalm.  We had stumbled upon the farm 2 years ago while just out driving - you know - trying to find the roads with no white lines on them - the best. 

Enough barns to milk over 200 cows - empty

At that time we had not planned it so were not prepared for an extended exploration of the area.  This time we wanted to see the trees in full color as well as walk a few of the trails up into the hills surrounding the alm.

Barns, living quarters, cheese factory & church

There was frost on the car window as we left the farm and the temperature said -1 C so it was chilly but we headed out in the direction we had remembered before.  It was shortly after 8 am but we wanted to be ahead of what we thought would be a traffic jam to get up there given the color of the trees and the cows and the scenery against a backdrop of snow capped mountains. 

Living quarters

On the way up there we had remembered the large meadow of maple trees and were anxious to see the colors.  Not!  what we only saw was bare black trees and branches - no leaves in sight.  The wind must have taken care of the raking too.  Winter had obviously arrived early. 

The "normally" beautiful meadow filled with cows

Neither were there any cows in sight.  In fact after we parked at the base of the alm and started to walk up about a km to the farm sight we could see the barn windows all boarded up.  The sun was just starting to peak over the mountain and it was still dark down on the farm. And cold and windy - we were totally unprepared for what we found  and unprepared as well for the cold weather conditions. 

Colourful leaves on the way and back

Oddly there were many people heading up toward the farm but as we got closer we realized they were not there to see the leaves and the barns and the cows but they were there to walk up into the mountains probably to some other alm.  We did walk up one of the trails a short distance but it was too cold and too windy and we were too unprepared.  The sun would not hit the valley until close to noon - we would never get warm - we headed instead back to the car and several stores that were closeby.  Driving back down, there was a steady stream of cars bikers and walkers heading in the opposite direction - up to where we had just left.  At least 6 parking lots were full of cars already.  What were we missing.  They were all serious hikers unlike ourselves - out for a good day of exercise - not necessarily the view.  We were so unprepared.

Little barn on path to Barmsee

Decided instead to head back home for a bit and regroup.  There is the Barmsee close to our stay so we decided to ride our bikes over there  instead.  By now the sun was warming the world and it was all level going for the most part. 

Barmsee, Near Krun, Germany

The trail headed back from the farm in a large arc until we came upon the lake in about 45 min.  The colors and the views were super as we circled the lake completely.  At the far end of the lake the path narrowed and indicated only walkers but to head further on the bike trail would take us further than we wanted. 

Half way around Barmsee

We opted to walk our bikes on the people only trail.  At first it was fairly level but soon we began to see why it was a walk only path.  It rose sharply away from the lake with several switch backs to arrive at the top of the hill. 

Along the trail near Bramsee

At this point we were wishing for our e-bikes.  Had to stop several times to catch our breath.  Coarse after every up hill is almost always a down hill.  Had to drag the brakes and skid the tires on the loose gravel at times to hold them back. 

Along the trail on the way home

Eventually we came to the small TOWN of Barmsee and shortly thereafter found the path back toward our farm. 

Leaves were falling in the wind

It was still fairly early so we continued across the countryside past the farm to the next village of Wallgau - rested a bit on a bench along the trail before heading back to the farm. 

Lots of colour for coffee break

Many colourful camera spots along the way this afternoon.  Not so many this morning.