2014 July Frankenmuth

On our way south from Mackinaw, we stopped in Gaylord to see this remarkable Cross in the Woods.  It's 55 ft. high and weighs 14 tons.  It was dedicated in 1954.

Frankenmuth was founded by immigrants from Germany in the mid 1800's.  The residents made the early decision to keep the buildings in the downtown area in the German style.  Lots of flowers just add to the beauty of this little town.

We had a wonderful time riding our bikes around this town and over this covered bridge.

Frankenmuth has a wonderful military museum honoring the local service people.  The stories of over 200 of these service men and women are displayed most very interesting.

We toured the Frankenmuth History Museum.  Below is a picture of the early German settlers.  They brought their skills in making excellent beer with them as you see them toasting with their brew. 

We took a boat ride on this paddle boat named the Bavarian Belle. 

 

"On Christmas Eve 1818, the German carol "Stille Nacht. Heilige Nacht" was sung for the very first time in the tiny village of Oberndorf, eight miles north of Salzburg, Austria.  Before that Christmas Eve service, the young pastor asked organist Franz Gruber to compose a tune to accompany his lyrics, a poem the pastor Joseph Mohr had written 2 years earlier.  Around 1819, an organ builder from Fugen, named Carl Maraucher, heard about the carol when he was in Oberndorf.  he liked the carol so much that he brought "Silent Night" back with him to his home town, and from there it spread all over the world, reaching American shores for the first time in 1839."  Below right is a picture of the church in which it was composed.  This St. Nicholas church was destroyed in a flood.  Below left is the chapel that was built on the site of the original church in Oberndorf.  Above is a replica of this chapel built by Bronners Christmas Store in Frankenmuth.

 

Above, just outside the chapel is Silent Night written in many different languages.  Total it has been translated into over 300 languages.

Frankenmuth is famous for Bronners, the largest Christmas ornament store in the world.  The retail store is over 1 1/2 football fields.  The total of it's retail, shipping and receiving, and warehouse is over 5 football fields in size.  It's a family owned operation and sells ornaments from all over the world. 

You can buy this nativity scene which also includes all of Bethlehem.  I'm kidding, but is was huge.

Below, Cliff in overwhelm in Bronners.  He's wondering where the exit door is.