My husband and I went to Garmish, Germany in 1988 on our honeymoon in Europe. We intended to go to Neuschwanstein Castle, aka, Crazy Ludwig’s Castle, but missed the train that still today takes visitors to the Cinderella/Disney-like castle that Ludwig II, who died of “suicide” in 1886.” The quotes are intentional, rumor has it that he was killed for spending country money irrationally. The manner of his death is still in question, as was the errant spending. He was also called the “Swan King” or “Fairy Tale King,” or “Mad King Ludwig.”

I remember being deeply disappointed that we missed the train, but as an alternative we elected to take a rental car to Garmish, Germany, which is an hour drive from the area of the castle (which is in the Southern Alps, and reminds me a little of the Rocky Mountains). Garmish was and is a U.S. Military base.

I pouted a little, but was happy that there was an American movie theatre there, where we saw the original “Beelejuice” as it first came out. After, we ate at MacDonald’s, where the ice cream and caramel sauce sunday was the best I’ve ever had. Don’t remember the burger. The experience was enough to make me forget about visiting Crazy Ludwig’s Castle, and to appreciate a new word for me: “synchronicity.” We talked to a few service men and women who were a little homesick for the U.S. Some of the best things comes to us accidentally or a detour from the original plan.

The reason I tell this story is to ask this rhetorical question: Could we be living under the rule of a “crazy king?” There are differences: Ludwig was only in his twenties and had what he hoped was decades to make his dreams come true; our “king” was elected by 1/2 of the U.S.; there are certain shaky stop-gaps to how much our crazy king can do and how long his reign can be. What I know is that I’ve never been so afraid for our country, for our democracy.

I’d like to go to Garmish again to see how it’s going there. I’d also like everyone to vote and vote the conscience.

Yes, there is a U.S. military presence in Garmisch, Germany, as part of the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria (USAG Bavaria). The Garmisch Community supports key mission partners like the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the NATO School, along with other smaller units and facilities across Southern Bavaria.*

*the last paragraph thanks to AI