We have driven the Grossglockner Alpine Road to the Edelweisspitz Overlook. Take My Breath Away! The view! But the road will make your heart beat also as you can see…The far barely visible peak is the highest Grossglockner – which we are seeing now from the east. What clear visibility!The Edelweisspitz Overlook has a 360 degree view. We could even see the Berchtesgaden peaks – we are only about 40 km from where we first stayed in Anger, Germany.This is a compiled panorama photo of Hohe Tauern NP Grossglockner Peak from the Alpine Road Edelweisspitz Overlook. What a VIEW!The Edelweiss Hütte had a very good apple strudel which we enjoyed with cappuccinos. Because who would not want to linger to enjoy this view? We feel like eagles, not marmots, but thought this carving was quite cute.Another stop along the Alpine Road is Kaiser Franz Josefs Visitor Center with this view of the Pasterze Glacier, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps, which has melted in the last 20 years to leave this lake.Grossglockner peak is reflected in the lake, before the clouds claim it again.Enjoying the view with Kaiser Franz Josef, who was here with his wife Elizabeth (Sisi) in 1856. He loved this area and as it is when you are emperor, it was preserved for all of us to enjoy. Thank – you, Austria!
We headed up the nearby valley to Kals/Berg for a full day of hiking in the Hohe-Tauern-National Park.We are going to hike the Kodnitztal towards Grossglockner – that magnificent peak in the background, which is the highest in Austria- 3.798 meters.There is fresh snow on the peaks! It is so beautiful and we feel so lucky to be enjoying such fabulous views!The clouds are moving in so this might be our last view of Grossglockner – but we are sure there is much to enjoy here.These are the big five wildlife that live here – maybe we will be lucky to see some natives: golden eagle, chamois, marmot, ibex, bearded vulture.After a little over an hour hike up and up, we arrive at Lucknerhütte. Cappuccinos and apple strudels with vanilla sauce were enjoyed by us on this outdoor deck. We could get used to this kind of hiking amenity.We continued further up the trail to enjoy the autumn splendor.We crossed the stream several times.We saw quite a few marmots, busily eating to prepare for winter. They are very fast, a bit shy, and scurry amongst the boulders. But this one was so busy eating he could not be bothered with a photographer.The geography and rock outcroppings were really accentuated with the early snowfall.We especially enjoyed this rock face that kept us company.Would you look at that?!!!!This is a view back at the valley and the 3,050 foot elevation we have gained hiking up. Wow. Very glad we still have it in us to do this hike!The mountains and clouds have played hide and seek but we end our 5 hour, six+ mile hike with full satisfaction. An immensely enjoyable day.We have good memories of visiting Grossglockner! FABULOUS!!!
Our mountain view apartment in Matrei was very spacious, had nice views of the town in the Isel river valley, including from our balcony.We enjoyed walking the town and visiting the Hohe Tauern National Park museum.One of the walks we did on our no-drive day was above the apartment to enjoy the entire valley of Matrei.The Isel is the longest free flowing glacial river in the entire Alps!Upstream we walked into Hohe Tauern NP to hike the NaturKraftWeg Umbalfälle .The hiking path follows this exuberant water to the glacial source but we only followed it for an hour or so from the end of the road.This is a tributary with a nice bridge near the confluence with the Isel.We enjoyed the wildness of the river, the carved rocks, and the vegetation. This is the Umbalfälle, the Umbal falls.And what do you know – there is a hütte with some hot soup for us! Goulash stew and Tyrolean Knodel Soup, which is a bread dumpling ball of goodness.
St Stephen’s Cathedral in the center of Vienna is filled with tourists. Notice the amazing roof tiles!The interior is just as dazzling!The world famous Opera House on Ringstrasse boulevard – an architectural gem, dates from the era of Emperor Francis Joseph I.There are many architectural delights!We enjoyed walking around and really appreciated the good weather!Henry Moore’s Arched Hills in this pleasant reflecting pond.Otto Wagner’s Pavilion – an early modernist architectural example. He was on the fore front of transitioning styles and had much influence in Vienna in the early 1900’s.His Postsparkasse was another treat to see and we were able to peak into the atrium.The MAK museum will inform us about the development of applied arts. We especially enjoyed learning about the different influences that lead to styles changing.Like Gustav Klint and the Secessionist collaboration with Otto Wagner.We enjoyed the elegant pieces and the fine craftsmanship.A feast for the eyes!An exterior clock that moves to graphically show the time.Across the street we went underground to the Roman excavations to learn about the military presence that started Vienna.Of course we could not leave Vienna without visiting a coffee house. At Cafe Neu Wien we had delicious soup lunch with apple strudel for desert – a great choice! We enjoyed our day trip to Vienna.
The famous paleolithic Venus Of Willendorf (25,000+ years ago) was found here, overlooking the Danube River. This is in the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape containing some of Europe’s most enchanting river scenery.Unfortunately Storm Boris is an extreme weather event that is causing the flood barriers to be raised. The firefighters were extremely vigilant to keep all the communities informed and connected.A good way to spend a rainy day was inside the historic Sift Melk (Abby), established in 1089, another UNESCO world heritage site.Gorgeous Baroque architecture! We especially enjoyed the library with some of the first terrestrial and celestial globes created.Uh oh. It rained for 5 straight days! Nonstop for 4 of those and one for extra stress.This is the Weitenbach at the peak – the stream empties into the Danube, next to where we are staying. It is to the bottom of the bridge!The Danube Lake is part of the flood control for the river but it was still a bit disconcerting. This link shows the levels of the Danube while we were there.Parking? Here? Lower Austria manages the Danube very well but nature is not always controllable as Storm Boris caused much heartache and destruction in its path.The rain did stop and we got to use our balcony. Our owners had been through high water events before, lived below our apartment, kept us calm – which we really appreciated. They even had us down for yummy chicken soup dinner with homemade apple strudel . An enjoyable evening 😉Calmness returned to the lake. The waters receded so we could park the car in front again. A near-by town recorded 16″ of (torrential) rain in the 5 day period. Unprecedented!The sun shines! Castle ruins on the hill above our apartment dates to the 1100’s.This Wauchau valley is know as the wine region so we went on a Wine Wander……Beautiful rolling hills. Nice to be out exploring the roads, tho many are still closed.Very much enjoying the sunshine!And the local crops.
Follow-up: The severe four-day rainfall was “by far” the heaviest ever recorded in Central Europe and was caused by what’s known as a “Vb depression” that forms when cold polar air flows from the north over the Alps and meets warm air from Southern Europe. (Radar showed moisture coming up from the Baltic Sea, and it stalled over the area). We did not get hit as hard as other areas but Lower Austria was in the disaster area. This article explains Vienna’s preparations.
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings were found along Mondesee (on our drive between Salzburg and Vienna) as well as in many other locations around the Alps – a combined UNESCO World Heritage Site.This culture dates from 5000 to 500 BC.Well preserved pottery that reminded us of Mesa Verde – only this is much much older! We enjoyed our stop at Mondesee MuseumThis exhibit show how they document these archeology sites. The dwellings were built along lake shores but most are under water now, which has preserved the remains well.A video hows how difficult the documentation is. Thank you to all that are working to preserve this ancient culture. If you want to find out more, check out palafittes.org
The Hills are Alive! We are on the ‘SOM’ WanderWeg (hiking trail) to the alpine meadow above Werfen, Austria where one of the movie scenes was filmed.La – a note to follow so…”Do Re Mi… in case you forgot the lyrics!…a long long way to run…Could it be Maria singing “The hills fill my heart with the sound of music…”?And Clint Eastwood used the Hohenwerfen Castle in the background for his movie “Where Eagles Dare”.
We headed high above the morning clouds on a beautiful day.Breathtaking!Looking down on the valley of the Salzach river and the town of Werfen, Austria.We have hiked up, then taken a steep Gondola ride – still a bit more climbing to reach the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave.Heading into the World’s Largest Ice Cave! A first for us.There is still a lot more climbing once inside – we carry gas lanterns to light the way.Ice formations! Some with special added lights at key locations.Scenic!Artistic!Mesmerizing — nature at it’s finest! Here is more geology science –After an hour and half or so, it is time to exit this special ice wonderland.To the historic Dr Oedl Schutzhaus restaurant at the top of the gondola.We enjoyed a delicious hot bowl of goulash soup.With the same view as the birds.
