And we are all here!! Jen arrived to Munich International by about 10 am and was hot and sweaty but at the hotel by 11:30. It is HUMID here in Munich!

Before her arrival, the rest got the day started with a delicious breakfast at Coffee Fellows, followed by some more wandering around town. Steph was so kind as to head back to the hotel to wait for Jen.

After a quick freshening up, Jen and Steph headed to meet the rest just off the Marienplatz at the Paulaner restaurant for lunch. Nothing like Käsespaetzle and a beer to start your trip off right. Then we all headed over to a nearby small plaza to meet up with Mannfred, our lovely bike guide. We picked out our bikes and got ready to go. Since we had the two girls in tow, Mannfred had us start just up the street at a building that has a paternoster. If you are like us, you have no idea what that is. Well! It happens to be an "open" elevator - multiple cars, all linked together and in continuous motion. You can step on and off at any floor at any time. But the cool part? When you go past the ground floor going down, you suddenly shift to the side, and start moving upwards. Ditto when you pass the top floor. We had no idea what we were getting into (we really thought our guide was describing a ferries wheel), but it was honestly really cool. There aren't many out there - mostly in Germany. But if you get a chance, I'd recommend it just for the novelty!!

Then we continued on our tour of the city, making our way back towards Marienplatz, to the first royal residence, on over the Englischer Gardens and into the artist type neighborhood of Schwabing. Some younger family members weren't having it as we neared the end, so we cut it a little short. But if anyone wants to know about the history of beer gardens, logging, or the royal residences? We're your peeps to go to.

Afterwards, we headed to an Eately that was nearby our bike drop-off for dinner. If you have never been to Eately (as I hadn't before this) and you like Italian food? GET THERE. It's wonderful. We had some delicious pasta and pizza. And some gelato for the girls. From there Grandma took the girls home to get cleaned up and rest, while the four middle generation-ers headed to the main Hofbrauhaus, as Erica and Mike had never been there before. Beer was shared and enjoyed, and my randomized photo app made an AMAZINGLY coincidental lens and film combo on the picture where I told my sisters to "look afraid of their beer". I had fun directing my own photo shoot and my models were beautiful and willing.

From there we took one last walk through the Marienplatz to the King's Hotel and got packed up and ready for a VERY early departure. Danke, Munich, and see you in a week, Germany!!