Day 5 - Westendorf, Austria

I had to step away from the trip photos for a while. It just has been so very overwhelming, just the sheer number of photos. But as I go back and look I am entranced again with the gorgeous beauty of the Austrian Alps.

If you need a review of the trip I took with my son Jacob in July of 2011, as we traveled with American Music Abroad, here are a few links:

Part I: The Tour Began

Part II: Arriving in Europe. Our First Day

Part III: Day One Continued . . .

Europe Day 2: Monday July 18

Europe Day 2: Monday the afternoon

Still Day 2: Europe (Vienna Austria)

Day 3: Our trip to Salzburg

Day 3: Salzburg: The Old Towne

Day 3: On to Westendorf

Day 4: Hintertux Glacier

And so today - I begin with Day 5.  We were still in Westendorf Austria - and we had the morning and afternoon completely free for exploration. Our first "check in" for the day was dinner at 5pm. I decided Jake needed a day on his own - and so I let him go his way, and I went mine.

And so, we chose to walk around the town and over to the ski lift, for a ride up to the top of one of the local mountains. It had rained the day before, so we started out with quite a bit of fog, but the low hanging clouds made for some gorgeous photo's and we road to the top.

The steeple from the local church on the right.

Dana and Sue

A sign advertising our concert that evening at the Village Hall.

Riding up . . .  the view was amazing

Outside the restaurant at the top, one could try their hand at milking. 

Inside the restaurant. They had the absolute best Hot Chocolate I have ever had in my life. I asked the woman for the name - and it was a red packaged named Tiffany's Shokolade. I have searched the internet all over and cannot find it. It really was good!!

We all had to try the Strudel. They told us that this place had the absolute best - and they were so totally right!

You could have it with a vanilla sauce. I chose real whip cream.
MMMMMMmmmmmm!

Right outside the restaurant. 

We were able to get really upclose and personal with these cows!

There were a couple more trails to hike up to some different summits. I was going with this group - but had to turn back - my asthma started acting up - so instead I just walked around at that level - soaking in the glory and beauty that surrounded me!

Don't Drink the Water!

A couple of boys made the hike - from the bottom to the top - skipping the ski lift. Little did I know that my son - was at that moment - lost on the side of the mountain with several of his friends. 

 

One last look on the ride down.

Above and below is the cemetery that was to the side of the local church. How unique looking it was to me. Full gravel yard with wood and metal headstones.

It is actually better than I was told. Someone told me in Germany they allow a person to be buried for 25 years, then dig up their remains and put them in mass graves. I have no clue as to the validity of that claim. I guess it makes tracing your roots very difficult. 

I guess that is enough for now. After we came down from the mountain, their was a street market taking place. It was fun to walk around. I got some neat photos. 

Just so you aren't worrying - Jake did meet us at 5pm for dinner - although he and several of the boys had ruined their sneakers - and were wearing their dress shoes with their shorts to dinner. That was just a little hint - that something had not gone exactly right.