Oct 25 (2 postings with photos - see post 2 below first photos)

We headed out again in fog to see 2 of Ludwig II's castles.  Once we got into the area near Füssen the sun was shining and the temperature was in the mid 50s.  The 2 castles, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau, are on hilltops facing each other over a valley with souvenir shops, hotels & restaurants.  Neuschwanstein was designed by Ludwig and a stage designer and was built from 1869 to 1886 and it is the prototype for Disney's Cinderella castles.  Unfortunately for the view, the exterior under the turrets was sheathed in scaffolding for renovation so we had to take a photo of a poster to have an image of how it's supposed to look.  Hohenschwangau is less impressive but more historically important.  Ludwig's father, Maximilian II rebuilt it from the ruins of a 12th century castle and Ludwig grew up and spent most of his reign in it.  He only lived in Neuschwanstein for 6 months before being deposed.  It's a well set up tourist trap and to see the interiors you need to buy tickets for a specific time and language.  The tours last 30 minutes in a rush job through at the guide's pace and you're outta there with no time to linger and view the rooms you have an interest in.  We don't enjoy that type of tours and, with a 1 1/2 hour wait for an English tour, we saw the exteriors and had a good Bavarian lunch.  The lake and area where the castles are is picturesque, particularly now with the fall color change in the trees.  On the way out we came across a small herd of roe deer in a farm field.

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 We left the castles and drove into Füssen, an old city a few km away. and walked into the old town.  Ruins of a late Roman  fortress were discovered during archaeological excavations in 1955.  Between 1274 & 1286  the first town wall was constructed on the hill.  This was turned into a castle in 1291 and in1322 the Bishoporic of Augsburg acquired the hill and completed the unfinished castle.  From 1489 to 1504 Bishop Frederic II extended it into an imposing Burgschloss, most of which is seen today.  Paintings on the buildings date from 1499 and are still remarkably fresh looking.  It was a fascinating walk around the grounds. Füssen looks like a town that would be a good place to spend a night or two.  As we returned to Oberstaufen the low cloud & for returned.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.