Day 5 - Oberammergau, Ettal, Lucerne - back blip

We slept about 3 hours and had a nice breakfast (I am becoming addicted to croissants and jelly).  Our guide worked in a tour at a well known woodcarving shop in Oberammergau that has been a family business for 14 generations.  They just finished an 18 foot Crucifix for a Franciscan monastery in Baton Rouge, LA. Their work was phenomenal.  From there we visited the first of two Benedictine Abbeys.  Our priest offered the group to a taste of some of the liqueurs made by the monks.  That stuff is way too strong for me.  We briefly drove through Austria before entering Switzerland.  The Alps and surrounding area was breathtaking.  Hubby pointed out a cathedral along the way that was actually in Liechtenstein.  We stopped at a rest area beside a beautiful lake and had lunch. Then our final visit of the day was to the second Benedictine Abby where Father said Mass. Both churches house a special statue of the Madonna.  The interiors were stunning.  We are staying in Lucerne for two nights.  Thanks for stopping by and please forgive me for not looking at your journals this week.  We are busy every day from early morning until almost midnight.  What a blessing this pilgrimage has been.  We have had no service so I will try to compile my collages soon.   “Every great journey stimulates great faith and great joy.” - Lailah Gifty Akita