Hintertux Glacier

We left Westendorf - to head out to a Glacier. They called it the Rattenburg Glacier - although when we got there everything called it the Hintertux Glacier. 

We visited a town called Rattenburg - that is famous for it's crystal and glass blowing. We had a great time watching the glass blowing exhibit and visiting the other shops - but then headed to the glacier. 

It was a messy rainy day. The clouds were very low (okay - so we were really high up in the mountains) and we really didn't get to see much. In fact - after the glacier we were to go to Mayrhofen and sing in an outside concert there - but due to the rain our concert was cancelled and we toured the town and it's shops instead. It was a bit of a disappointment - as this was the place we were to face the amazing Alps and sing (o top of the world!) But we couldn't see much. 

The glacier was several different gondola rides up. We started at a place with a restaurant and shops (and parking lot). 

   

Then we got on our first gondola and started the ride up

At our first stop - we got out and switched to the next gondola. 

In the distance we could see the snow storm on the top. 

I kept thinking to myself, I live in Buffalo NY, why in the world am I excited about seeing snow in July? We live for the summer months of July - when there is no snow! 

We got in and started out for the next level. 

At the next level we had the opportunity to eat and see some maps of where we were. 

 

  

More Weiner Schnitzel and french fries!

And off we were to the next level. 

These are actually photos of the 2nd last stop on the way up. 

We had to trudge thru the snow to get to the next gondola. 

It was very cold, very blustery, very UNsummer like!

But we got on and kept going up. 

  

When we got to the top - there really wasn't much to see. The kids all took their clothes off (bathing suits were underneath - although some boys went in their boxers) - and had their photos taken in the blizzard. 

I didn't dare take Zach's camera out . It was sooooo windy and cold. Jake got out - and I snapped a quick photo of him, but then we headed back down. You really couldn't see anything - it was a blizzard up there. 

We headed back down - Jake's shoes were leaking TERRIBLY so we went and had to buy a new pair (on sale for 49Euros) and we tossed the leaking ones. I also had to get him a new (dry pair) of socks. There weren't many to choose from - so we found a pair of cow socks. He still has them :)

The rest of the kids all joined together on the second level and had a snowball fight. We missed it - but that was okay -  We  were cold and wet. 

We headed to Mayrhofen and had another great dinner. 

We were looking forward to our 'day off' and concert in Westendorf the next day. 

The next day was my favorite. 

We went to the top of the Mountain in the town of Westendorf and had fabulous views. 

I tooks lots of great photos - and finally had a taste of a fabulous Apple Strudel. 

To learn more about the Hintertux Glacier click the words for the wikipedia link.