Uncategorized – Page 2 – Welcome to Linda's Journey; now hosted by Adventure Cow!

Adventure Cow has a grand time in Ireland

First, rehearse your song by rote
To each word a warbling note:
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
Will we sing, and bless this place.
~William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, c.1595 [V, 1, Titania]

Believe in Faeries? We hope you do… Make a wish, it might come true! – Debra Lee Baldwin

More about Faerie doors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_door

AC wished you too could go to Poulnabrone dolmen. Learn more about this ancient burial place by clicking here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poulnabrone_dolmen

And all about, among the blossoms, fairies flew
Or bounced themselves upon enormous drops of dew…
~Harry Behn (1898–1973), The House Beyond the Meadow, 1955

The Faeries took AC among the blossoms in the Botanical Gardens, Belfast. Link is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanic_Gardens_(Belfast)

A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near. ~Author unknown.

The faeries must have been very near as we went round and round on the Ferris wheel set up outside the botanical garden.
More about the Panoramic wheel (you’ll need to scroll down this webpage) https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/botanic-gardens-ferris-wheel-offers-20972742

Every man is sociable until a cow invades his garden. – Traditional

AC is trying to get into the garden, but the hotel window is in the way. (Harrison Inn, Belfast)

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all year long. – Irish blessing

Happy is the Adventure Cow who gets to travel to Charles Fort, Kinsale. More information: https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/charles-fort-national-monument/ and https://heritagemachines.com/commercials/merryweather-fire-engines/

Only Irish coffee provides all main essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat. – Traditional

Irish Coffee was the order of the day at the Kerry Bog Village Museum. Link here: https://www.kerrybogvillage.ie/

The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune. – Traditional

Note: The YouTube video below was not filmed during our trip. I have included it here as an example of Irish Folk music, including the pipes which use a bellows under the arm to provide the air. (Instead of blowing into a bag as the Scottish do)

Our small group did get to have a private session with a four-piece band:

These are Irish pipes. AC was allowed to take a very close look at the instrument after our session.

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going and the insight to know when you’re going too far. – Traditional

AC does not know where he is going – we know he is going to Dublin on the train from Belfast. The train has a catering trolley that he helped push down the aisle of the train. Do you need a snack? Fun!
More about the train between Belfast and Dublin:
https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/offer/take-the-enterprise-service-to-belfast

You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. – Traditional

AC pretends he is tall by looking out the window of the top floor of the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin. Guinness Storehouse Tour information: https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en

May the road rise up to meet you. – Traditional

This road on the Aran Islands has been meeting folks for thousands of years.
To learn more about the islands, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aran_Islands

Any Kerryman will tell you that there are only two Kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry – “One is not of this world and the other is out of this world.” – Irish sayings.

We stopped on our tour of the Ring of Kerry to explore the shore. AC is nibling on something that tastes like radishes – we all nibbled on something that tastes like radishes.
For more information about Seaweed Walks, click here: https://www.atlanticirishseaweed.com/seaweed-discovery-walks

Two people shorten the road. – Traditional

The road was made very short for AC. Our guide, Trevor, carried him, or let him ride shotgun most every day we were together. AC did it all!

It is a good horse that draws his own cart – traditional

This is a good horse – he pulled 5 people, one Adventure Cow, and the cart through the Kilarney National Park. https://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/

May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends by yours
Wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
With joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons bring
the best to you and yours.

AC is always willing to help Andy taste beer and listen to the music being played in the corner.
More about the Porterhouse Brewery and Pub: https://porterhousebrewco.ie/temple-bar/

Meeting Charlie Chaplin on the Ring of Kerry tour.
Why is there a statue of Charlie Chaplin in Waterville, Ireland? https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/charlie-chaplin-s-vacation-statue#:~:text=The%20quiet%20Irish%20village%20of,town%2C%20just%20for%20vacationing%20there.

Exploring the grounds of Charles Fort in Kinsale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fort_(Ireland)
https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/charles-fort-national-monument/

Climbing the Cliffs of Moher
More about Moher: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher

Exploring the shore of County Clare. AC loves those rocks!
https://www.discoverireland.ie/clare/natural-wonders-county-clare

Admiring the Game of Thrones tapestry in the Ulster Museum, Belfast. This is a great museum and the tapestry is simply amazing – 295 feet long, it wraps within a whole room. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_Tapestry

AC pretends to head a Hooker boat in Ennis.
The linked YouTube video tells you the story of the previous Hooker boat that was restored in this garage. The Sea Scouts are now working on their second, which they allowed AC to play all over. https://youtu.be/t7pMFtBaA7E

Taking in the view of the hillside while touring the Ring of Kerry.
https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/regions/ring-of-kerry/

This is the view of Kinsale harbor. Kinsale was a supply port in the 16 and 17 hundreds. It was the last stop for ships going to America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsale
It’s possible our ancestors were in Kinsale too – a long time ago.

Learning to taste the different elements in Guinness beer.
https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/guinness-taste

Learning to taste the different elements in Irish whiskey.
https://www.irishwhiskeymuseum.ie/

Visiting the site where the Titanic was built. https://www.titanicbelfast.com/

The Titanic was a very large ship. And, as they say in Belfast: “She was in good working order when she left here”.

AC is not doomed, he is hiding; can you see him?

Truly an Adventure Cow – how did he get to the Wormhole’s cliff edge?
https://www.aranislands.ie/inis-mor-inishmore-island/inis-mor-island-natural-features/stone-forts-and-cliffs

May the sound of happy music,
And the lilt of Irish laughter,
fill your heart with gladness,
that stays forever after.

In total, Andy and I spent right at three weeks in Ireland; some of that time we were on our own, some of it we were on a train tour with a small group of people. The map below shows our general route: Belfast, Galway, Ennis, Aran Islands, Kilarney, Kinsale, and Dublin.

We kept AC with us all the time, but we also try to be respectful of the people and places we visit. There are no pictures of AC at the Peace Wall in Belfast, AC never gets to come out in a church, and if it’s really windy, sometimes he has to stay in the backpack so he does not blow away!

May your troubles be less
and your blessings be more
and nothing but happiness
come through your door.

Cow becomes a Road Scholar!

Up the road we went again, this time to Prince Edward Island (PEI) in eastern Canada. I am not sure exactly when we got the bug to go to PEI, but once decided, we determined that this is too interesting of a place to go it alone. Who could take us around and educate us in the geology, history and culture of this island? Road Scholar came to the top of the list. https://www.roadscholar.org/ We signed up for the Best of Prince Edward Island, a seven day tour – perfect.

Adventure Cow (AC) is ready. He is hanging out in the back pack so he won’t be forgotten.

AC loved looking around Cow’s Ice Cream store in Banff; but here in Charlottetown, PEI, he is at the home of Cow’s. A Canadian ice cream chain founded in PEI in 1983. More about Cows? https://cows.ca/

AC and Linda got to play on the restored Charlottetown Fire Truck. To learn more about the Charlottetown Fire Department, click here: https://www.charlottetown.ca/resident_services/emergency_services/fire_department

Cow visited the Lt. Governor’s House in Charlottetown where he saw the garden dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Learn more about this historical, yet still in use house: https://www.lgpei.ca/history/government-house

Walking around Charlottetown is thirsty work. AC helps Andy locate a brewery with many tasty choices. To learn more about Gahan House click here: https://charlottetown.gahan.ca/about-us/

The next day, we all officially became Road Scholars. We had a lecture and a walking tour by a local expert: Cameron Macdonald (Cameron was as entertaining as he was informative) who then dropped us off for a private tour of The Beaconsfield House. Learn more by clicking here: https://www.peimuseum.ca/visit/beaconsfield-historic-house

Stanhope Beach. Cow thinks this is the ocean there is so much sand and water, but actually he is looking at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. To learn more about Stanhope Beach, click here: https://welcomepei.com/beaches/stanhope-beach/

Further back from the shore AC learns about the fragile ecosystems of the dunes and their grasses. Learn more about this delicate balance by clicking here: https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/07/protecting-peis-sand-dunes-footsteps

AC had heard how lobster traps work in a talk by tour leader Susan, but at The Preserve https://preservecompany.com/ he was able to test a trap out for himself.
Yes, it is very hard to get out of a lobster trap.
Learn more about Lobster fishing here: https://lobsterpei.ca/#:~:text=About%201200%20Island%20lobster%20fishers,is%20known%20as%20Setting%20Day.

AC loves to climb rocks. Here he is at The Preserve Company’s Garden of Hope. To learn more about the garden click here: https://preservecompany.com/blogs/gardens-of-hope

Oops! AC has fallen in the flowers again. He did not hurt them.

Here AC is at Cavendish beach. This section is not a sandy beach, the edges are cliffs that all folks in the area are told to be wary of, as they may crumble into the sea as you stand on them. To learn more about Cavendish click here: https://welcomepei.com/beaches/cavendish-beach/

The island tour, of course, includes a trip to Green Gables; the house made famous by the stories of Lucy Maud Montgomery. To learn more about this site, click here: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables

The grounds of the Green Gables Heritage Place include a hike on Anne’s Lovers Lane.

And, a walk through the Haunted Woods. The fearless, Adventure Cow was not afraid. To read the stories about Anne, you might want to check out Amazon. The books remain in print after more than one hundred years.
Click here: https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Complete-8-Book/dp/0553609416

A representation of an indigenous peoples camp greets visitors to the Greenwich Dunes Trail in PEI National Park. AC tried to be respectful of the artifacts, but just had to try on a new set of horns.
For an introduction to the First Nation people of PEI, click here: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/reserves-on-prince-edward-island

AC looks out over Bowley Pond as he begins the walk over the pond’s boardwalk toward the dunes.

Later AC joins with the other Road Scholars to climb the East Point Lighthouse. Here is gets a different view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. To learn more about the lighthouse click here: https://eastpointlighthouse.ca/

AC also liked playing in the Lighthouse’s fog horns.

One of the great things about the Road Scholar program, was going places and hearing presentations that we just would not have found on our own. It is unlikely that we would have stopped at Basin Head Fisheries Museum, but with RS we did. The friendly tour guide was very accommodating of AC’s inspection of this 1800’s mail boat. https://www.peimuseum.ca/visit/basin-head-fisheries-museum

Another excursion was to The Robinson Family Potato Farm and warehouse. They farm 2,200 acres of crops rotated between potatoes, soy and barley. In addition to the fields, we also toured one of the warehouses. AC is standing in a section of the warehouse that will hold 1.5 million potatoes after the harvest. http://www.robinsons.pe.ca/companies/robinson/

Cow was able to participate in the Acadian Villages’ festival celebration. Acadians are French Canadians living in the south-eastern section of the island. Please click this link to visit the webpage and then watch the short video. It will give a small taste of the music we enjoyed that day. https://www.villagemusical.ca/

AC views the special lunch – it is ok, no beef here.

The Acadian dessert looks yummy; and it was, pastry filled with apples, raisins, and cranberries which we all made for ourselves with some excellent help from the friendly staff. The sauce is made from brown sugar, butter and vanilla. For recipes and more information about the Acadian people, click here: https://www.lacademie.com/acadian-foods/

The group had moved from Charlottetown to Summerside. Here the hotel was very close to a beautiful boardwalk.

AC does not understand what he sees here; is it a toy? No. Is it alive? No. It is part of a hands-on display at the International Fox Museum. Again, another place and another presentation we most likely would not have found on our own. Yet, the history of the fur trade is quite an interesting story. To learn more about the Fox Museum, click here: http://culturesummerside.ca/international-fox-museum/

In the distance is the Confederation Bridge. The longest bridge in the world over ice-covered water; it is an eight mile lifeline between PEI and New Brunswick and a marvel of the twentieth century. Click here for the Bridge’s website: https://www.confederationbridge.com/site/about

AC ends his adventures at the Marine Rail Historical Park where we can see the bridge up close and learn more about the making of such a bridge. This TripAdvisor site has quite a few pictures of the park. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1507275-d4916327-Reviews-Marine_Rail_Historical_Park-Borden_Carleton_Prince_Edward_Island.html

During our time on Prince Edward Island Andy and I enjoyed our adventures with AC, but somethings were not appropriate for small cows.

One afternoon we spent quite a bit of time on Lennox Island. This YouTube will give you some introduction to the Mi’Kmaq people: https://youtu.’be/6BVgUVdZaOM During our visit we were given tours and traditional foods of mussels, oysters, and bannock cooked over an open flame. While the food was prepared, volunteers gave all a tour of their museum and shared their personal, heartfelt, stories.

The bread is cooked under the coals of the fire in a cushion of extra flour which then must be removed.

Andy and I went to the Confederation Center for the Arts Museum during our free time. It has some interesting displays, this is the evolution of an artist; but no place for AC to play or pose. https://confederationcentre.com/artgallery/

And, based on the recommendations of many people, we spent an evening seeing Anne of Green Gables, The Musical. It presents the core of the story with plenty of singing and dancing and just a little bit of humor. Matthew was particularly well played – I still cried at the end. https://confederationcentre.com/whats-on/anne-of-green-gables/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmouZBhDSARIsALYcouqji8xYui41CjPzPd8T4F8U7NmbrQgUJoHeVMYTScs017NQDDMDG24aApzuEALw_wcB

It was a great eight days with great folks and excellent tours and presentations. We are very happy that we chose Road Scholar for this adventure and may choose to take another of their trips in the future. As for Adventure Cow, he loved it too. The Road Scholars were very welcoming to his brand of mischief and he was happy to make many new friends.

On the road again; Colorado

Like Canada, Colorado is also home to the Rocky Mountains. There are trails to explore, waterfalls to hunt, and lovely cool evenings to enjoy being outside. Unlike Canada, it is close enough to Austin to make it a road trip. Away we go.

Adventure Cow is ready.

If I’m in the car, they can’t leave without me

Our first stop: Lubbock, Texas. Home to Buddy Holly and The Crickets. Visiting the museum includes a tour of the house next door. It is Buddy’s friend’s parents house that has been preserved and relocated to this site. The people said the house is a time capsule of the early 1950’s. This is where “That will be the day” and “Peggy Sue”, in addition to many other songs, were written. Click link to go to the Buddy Holly Center. https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center

Down the road from Lubbock is the Capulin Volcano National Monument. Here Adventure Cow is looking up from a pile of cinders at the bottom of the crater. Click this link to go to the Volcano’s website. https://www.nps.gov/cavo/index.htm

AC (Adventure Cow) makes it to the top of the Volcano

From here he can see for miles and miles. What he sees is the Santa Fe Trail. Click this link for more information on the Santa Fe Trail. https://www.nps.gov/safe/index.htm

As we anticipated going through Amarillo (again, we drove through here in May; it is where AC joined in with us) we learned that the home double A baseball team (affiliate: Arizona Diamondbacks) was having a bobble-head giveaway. We were among the fans who received the Ruckus Sod Poodle mascot bobble-head.
Two links follow: 1st, what is a Sod Poodle?
https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/its-official-amarillos-new-minor-league-baseball-team-name-is-the-sod-poodles/
and 2nd the Sod Poodles website.
https://www.milb.com/amarillo

Just south of Amarillo is the Panhandle-Plains Museum. Since the Dustbowl of the 1930’s did reach this far south, Linda, who is still thinking about what we saw at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa (https://woodyguthriecenter.org/), thought the museum would be about that – it is not. It covers geology, archeology and sociology of this area. We really could have spent quite a bit of time there. We never made it to the second floor. Adventure Cows are not allowed to pose with the oil derrick, the dinosaurs, the fossils, or the salvaged, restored, and recreated Pioneer Town. He did sneak into this vintage child’s car when no one was watching. https://www.panhandleplains.org/

After our couple days of driving, we reach our destination; Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. The area is slightly west of Colorado Springs. We can go waterfall hunting again. Click this website to learn about this hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/green-mountain-falls-crystal-falls-trail

From Crystal Falls we went over the Thomas Trail. Adventure Cow leads the way.
Click the link for more information: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/thomas-trail

Adventure Cow found another waterfall on the Thomas Trail.

We then went down the trail to this end’s trail head. From here, it is down Hondo Avenue back to the town center. This trail requires big steps. AC is glad to hike in a backpack.
Click this link for more information on the town: https://greenmountainfalls.colorado.gov/

A few days later, we went in the car to Denver where Aj and Aaron had been spending a few days. We brought them back with us to Green Mountain Falls.

On our way back to Green Mountain Falls we got to look at the social areas Aj designed for an apartment building in Castle Rock. (The Venue at the Promenade) It is hard to take a picture of a small Adventure Cow in a large recreation area – but we tried. AC is on the double-sided fireplace separating activity areas.

More adventure! With Aj and Aaron we all went up the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. The train is slow – it takes an hour and 10 minutes to get to the top, but the view out the window is great. Click this link for more information about the Cog Railway. https://www.cograilway.com/?utm_source=google-gbp&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp

This is Adventure Cow’s view from the top of Pikes Peak. Click this link for more information about Pikes Peak. https://www.pikes-peak.com/attractions/pikes-peak-americas-mountain/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3qGYBhBSEiwAcnTRLgGHhGvgvGC0sPrZLyTC6KRnqKQe0EuJgvI05ih6_zsgk3enKHfpwhoCe-AQAvD_BwE

To celebrate Aj’s birthday, we did two days worth of hikes in The Garden of the Gods. This is very easy hiking and the views are amazing. Click this link for more information about The Garden of the Gods. https://gardenofgods.com/ FYI: We did the Geo-Trekker movie – it is not too much of an adventure.

One day we went to downtown Colorado Springs. They have lined their sidewalks with large baskets of flowers, each containing small sculptures sponsored by local artists/companies. These were great places for AC to play. Learn more about downtown Colorado Springs by clicking here: https://downtowncs.com/

Oops, Adventure Cow fell in the flowers. He did not hurt them.

One morning we all had breakfast at The Pantry. This local restaurant is over 60 years old. They let Adventure Cow, and kids, play on the truck while they wait for a table. Click this link for more information about The Pantry: http://www.thepantryingreenmtnfallsco.com/

The Pantry also has a Little Free Library. Perfect size for hiding Adventure Cows.

Adventure Cow climbed the ledge outside the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center

This was our second day at the park. AC loves looking at the stone shapes.

AC is on the job, ready to push the Balanced Rock if needed. For more information about this formation, click this link: https://www.uncovercolorado.com/balanced-rock-garden-of-the-gods/

Adventure Cow could not do all the things that people can do in Colorado; he did not get to play at the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum (https://usopm.org/) . He had to stay in the backpack while we all went to the Turrell’s Skyspace (https://greenboxarts.org/) . Nor did he like outlet shopping in Castle Rock, or having drinks at The Tavern in Green Mountain Falls – but we did.

AC is back on the shelf for now, but his rest is not going to last long; September is travel month. Whooo! Hooo! More Adventure Cow stories to follow!

Cow goes to Canada

Even a longhorn from Texas knows that Austin is setting records this summer for how many days it can string together that are over 100 degrees – time to hit the road again!

Cow is ready to learn about Western Canada. He wants to see trees, rocks, and water. He wants some fresh air that is not blooming hot.

(Click picture to access a Wiki page on Western Canada)

On the first day driving from Calgary to Banff, we stopped in Canmore. A beautiful village with trees, rocks, water and cute shops, restaurants and breweries. A river runs through it.
(Click picture for website link with more information about Canmore)

During a tour of Banff and the surrounding area, Andy and Cow watch the Bow river go by.
(Click picture for weblink to more information about Banff)

Cow wants closer to the Bow river waterfall – he climbs the rocks.

Later, the tour went to the Banff Gondola. From there you can climb to Sanson’s Peak, where the old weather station remains on Sulphur Mountain.
(Click picture for Banff Gondola website)

Cow plays in the flowers of Banff’s Cascade of Time Garden
(Click the picture to learn more about Banff’s gardens)

Later, Cow joins a boat ride of Minnewanka Lake
(Click the picture to learn more about the lake)

In Banff’s town center, Cow is excited to find a whole store dedicated to cows – and ice cream!
(Click picture for weblink to Cow Ice Cream, Banff)

Cow officially picks up a first name while hiking to see Stanley Glacier. He is now “Adventure Cow”.
(Click the picture to learn more about this hike)

The next day, Adventure Cow was ready to hunt for waterfalls. This is lower Johnston Falls.
(Click this picture for more information about hikes in Banff, including Johnston Falls)

As Adventure Cow kept hiking, he found Upper Johnston Falls.

Another day, another waterfall hunt, the next hike was Lake Louise.
(Click the picture for weblink to more information about Lake Louise)

To get closer to the waterfalls, Adventure Cow jumps in for his first canoe ride at Moraine Lake
(Click this picture to learn more about Moraine Lake)

After the canoe ride, AC (Adventure Cow’s nickname now) climbed the rock pile next to Moraine Lake.
He loves the views of trees, rocks, and water.

AC waits to enter the cabin rented in Field, Canada.
(Click this picture to learn more about Field and Yoho National Park)

Up the road from the cabin, is Takakkaw Falls. The second highest waterfall in Canada.
(Click the picture for more information about Yoho National Park)

Going up river from Takakkaw Falls are the Laughing Falls. AC is happy to climb the rocks at the base of the falls. We are laughing.

Today a new adventure awaits: driving up the Icefield Parkway of Canada. Every exit is another hike, lake, or waterfall. This is Peyto Lake. Yes, it is the most beautiful color of blue, or is it green?
(Click the link to go to a Wiki page dedicated to Peyto)

Click this link to learn more about Canada’s Icefield Parkway

One stop on the parkway, is Athabasca Glacier. It is a steep climb to the base (or toe) of the glacier, but worth the effort.
(Click the picture to find more information about Athabasca Glacier)

AC has found another waterfall off the parkway, it is Sunwapta Falls.
(Click this picture to learn more about the falls)

Another Falls awaits – The Athabasca Falls. AC is amazed at the amount of rushing water generated by the melting glacier and the remaining snow.
(Click this picture for a link to a Wiki page on Athabasca Falls)

The next day Adventure Cow learns that he gets to go rafting on the Athabasca River. He is assured that the ride will not take him over the Falls.

Oh boy! This is more fun than the boat ride on Minnewanka. Yes, this water is gray. It is saturated with glacial ‘flour’ or minute particles of rocks and minerals.
(Click the picture for a link to Jasper Raft Tours)

Time for a breather – a visit to the JAG helps AC recover from his busy days.
(Click the picture to visit the JAG website)

From Jasper we take the Canadian train to Vancouver. Adventure Cow is surprised to find a friend on the train. “Mousey” was traveling from Toronto to Vancouver and she too was surprised to find another animal whose adventures are documented and shared. (Mousey does not have a blog, just a list of close friends)
(Click the picture to go to the Canada Rail website)

AC waits in the sleeper room of the train, he is ready to be outside again.

Cow finds himself on Granville Island, within the city of Vancouver. Most of the island is shops and restaurants, but he has found a nice spot for a break from shopping.
(Click the picture to go to the Island’s webpage)

Adventure Cow is happy to see that Vancouver has breweries. This one is right in Stanley Park, a large park at the tip of the Vancouver peninsula.
(Click the picture to learn more about Stanley Park Brewing)

We are talking adventure now. Cow takes his first seaplane ride from Vancouver to Victoria. This is fun!
(Click the picture to learn more about Harbour Air)

AC can’t believe how much fun he gets to have. The next day he goes whale watching. He does not see any whales, but others do, so that’s ok. The boat goes very fast until it finds the whales – then it stops.
(Click this picture to learn more about the whale watching company, Eagle Wing Tours)

Victoria is home to Butchart Gardens. AC takes in his first view of the sunken garden.
(Note it is sunken because the garden was started to disguise a limestone mine)
(Click picture for link to Butchart Gardens website)

Butchart Gardens has more than just flowers – The Dragon Fountain is a gift from China in recognition of a sister-city relationship between Victoria and the City of Suzhou.

AC had his first afternoon tea at Butchart Gardens – he ate all the savories.

Cow finds flowers in the city of Victoria too.
(Click this picture for access to a Wiki on Victoria, BC, Canada)

The time has come to leave Victoria, AC looks out the window while on his first ferry ride; Victoria to Seattle.
(Click this picture to learn more about ferry service from Victoria)

Back in the USA! Adventure Cow takes in the Olympic Sculpture Park with a view of the Space Needle too.
(Click the picture to link with Seattle Art Museum and learn more about the Sculpture Park)

Adventure Cow is fearless! That’s what another visitor to the Space Needle said, anyway. AC is happy to push his nose to the glass so he can see all of Seattle below him.
(Click the picture to go to the Space Needle’s website)

Below the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass. AC want’s a better view of the art glass, but the workers at Chihuly will not let him play, not even in the plants or flowers.
(Click the picture to link with Chihuly Garden and Glass website)

One more stop on this adventure – Tacoma.
There are five main places to view Chihuly glass in Tacoma, his home town;
The Glass Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum, The Glass Bridge, Union Station, and the Murano Hotel.
(Click picture for weblink)
Only the Glass Museum allowed AC a chance to join the artwork.

That is it for this adventure. AC (the fearless Adventure Cow) is back on his shelf right now, but that is not going to last for too long; Adventure Cow is always on the lookout for trees, rocks and water; planes, trains and automobiles too.

Cow road trips to Baltimore, Hon

When we left Towson in 2018 we had no idea how long we would be gone or where we would come back to. We put many things in storage. As it turns out, we were gone over three years and we landed in Austin – which is not close to Towson, or Baltimore, at all. This summer the timing was right to deal with at least some of these items; back to Baltimore we went; another road trip.

These pictures show you some of the adventures Cow had while we were on this trip.

Cow is ready to go. He is waiting inside the snack bag we keep in the car – this way he is sure he will not be left at home. Plus, the bag has a cow on it.

First stop: Little Rock, Arkansas. We have been here before, so this was just an overnight stay. Cow learned that the summer theme for North Little Rock is it’s old name of Dogtown. Sculptures and art cover the streets.

Cow found more alien friends when we stopped for a cave tour at Crystal Onyx, Kentucky.

You can’t touch the walls or ceilings in the caves, but you are allowed to touch some broken stalactites and stalagmites that are edging the walkway.

One night in Baltimore Cow went with us to Union Brewing. Here he hides in the beer koozies.

Next door to Union Brewing, on part of the campus they have created out of the old Pepsi bottling plant, is the Wine Collective. We all liked this; the interior is new and shiny and the wine is good – even if it is from Maryland.

Cow did not help at all with cleaning out the storage unit but he did like meeting The Cow in Reisterstown and our old friend Leslie. We liked the root beer floats.

After the working part of the trip was over, and we had met up with as many old friends as possible in our short time, we were on our way back to Austin. We were not in a hurry. We spent four days in Brevard, NC (just south of Ashville) Cow takes in the view from the cabin’s back deck.

Transylvania county is home to over 250 waterfalls. Our goal was to see/hike to seven of them. Cow loves a good hike.

Linda takes Cow to his first waterfall in Brevard – Hooker Falls. (Hooker ran a gristmill in the late 1800’s)

Andy warns Cow to not fall in the rushing water.

One waterfall, two waterfalls …

Can you find Cow? He is hiding in a hibiscus tree in downtown Brevard.

While Linda and Andy shop for lights at a Brevard store that truly has everything, Cow admires the bear family.

Brevard is home to Oskar Blues Brewing – Monday night is Jam session night.
Real fiddle, guitar, banjo and bass music in North Carolina. (Funny side note: the leader asked if Cow was a recording device – no, but my phone is. 🙂

Cow is not in this picture. Andy took this picture on the campus of Brevard College; known for it’s teacher programs and being home to one of the few colonies in the US of White Squirrels.

After Brevard, we were off to Huntsville, Alabama; home to the Space Center. Cow poses with a prototype of the Lunar Landing module from 1969.

Astronaut Andy is ready to take Cow to the Moon.

From Huntsville, we were off to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Cow chose Mexican food for our first dinner.

Hot Springs is one of America’s first spa towns. It still has it’s old bath houses, although only two of them are still functioning as spas, and it has hiking trails through the forests which surround the area.

It has a Mountain Tower with an elevator to the top – the view is for miles in all directions.

Another meal was taken at Granny’s Cafe. Granny has more toys than most kids and was happy to let Cow pose among her various collections.

We left Hot Springs, and headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma and the beautiful Tulsa Club hotel.

We particularly wanted to see the Woody Guthrie Museum in Tulsa. Very interesting and inspiring.

The Guthrie museum also had a special exhibit on Bruce Springsteen. Of course, Cow loves The Boss.

Right down the street, and funded by the same foundation as The Guthrie, is the Bob Dylan Museum. Dylan and Guthrie did meet when Dylan was just beginning his career.

Tulsa is also home to The Gathering Place. The word ‘park’ is not adequate; there are trees, flowers, paths, and water. But, also small museums, eateries and venues.

Next stop: Oklahoma City. They too have a nice city park, but it is not comparable to Tulsa’s.

Oklahoma City has the triple A Dodgers minor league team. Cow got to go to a baseball game again – Twice actually; a fun place with reasonable ticket and souvenir prices – and Friday night was Fireworks night!

Cow learned that pictures of cows can be artwork. Here he is at OKC Museum of Art.

The OKC Museum of Art introduced Cow to Chihuly Glass artwork. They have a large, permanent, exhibit at the museum because Chihuly’s wife is from Oklahoma City. This is the Persian ceiling installation

Cow says goodbye to the OKC city park. It is time to head back to Austin.

The Baltimore Road trip comes to an end with a final overnight in Dallas. The four of us went to Alamo Draft House Cinema for lunch and to see the new Thor movie. Cow had to stay in the car.

But, Cow’s adventures will continue. Cow says Austin is too hot – he wants to go to Canada where the weather is cooler – so, off to Canada we go!

Cow’s Road Trip Adventure

We found Cow in Amarillo, Texas. We decided to take him on our road trip, the horse was too big

First stop, The Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo

Cow loved smiling for the pictures as he played in the spray-painted Cadillacs.

In Albuquerque’s Old Town he helped Linda shop for a bag to carry him in. This one had horses.

The metal work store has so many items. It was easy to hide for a little bit.

Shopping is hard work. Time to stop for a coffee and cookie.

We are at the top of the trail – where is Cow?

Cow is looking down, to see how far up he has come.

Cow is amazed! What is that? A hot air balloon? In Sedona? That would be perfect!

The balloon is almost ready. Soon they will let all 12 people, plus one cow, climb onboard

Wow! I am the luckiest cow in the world – I can see forever and it is beautiful.

It’s another Park. Joshua Tree in Southern California

The rocks here are so different from Sedona; they are not red, and they are smooth, like granite.

The brochure says you can see Mexico from the top of this trail – Cow does not see Mexico

Cow’s first baseball game; he got to see the Dodgers play. They did not win but the hotdogs were good.

And then, the Cow went to the Happiest Place on Earth! Disneyland!

Cow loves this sign on Pixar Pier, Adventure is out There! Cow believes it is true – he is on quite the adventure.

Cow has to wait in line like everyone else in the new Galaxy’s Edge section. This is one view from the line for
The Rise of the Resistance. All Benjamin’s recommend this ride

After the ride he surprises Rey and Chewy; but even a Wookie cannot resist Cow

The Disneyland part of the road trip was over, time for other activities like visiting the
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Cow likes the museum – he imagines he too is on the yellow brick road

Cow enjoyed his trip to the Los Angeles Central Library.

Cow had fun at the new Broad Museum downtown too. The Murakami exhibit was so colorful.

Cow saw his first Broadway musical in Los Angeles: Hadestown at the Ahmanson.

While Aj looked at the design of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Cow played in the garden

The garden has a delft pottery mosaic fountain dedicated to Mrs. Disney (she is the one who made the initial gift of 50 million dollars to help make the project happen)

Aj also showed us the new Apple store in downtown LA in the refurbished Tower Theater
(easily the most beautiful and least crowded Apple Store in California)

Cow poses for a picture on the balcony of the Apple Store

Ah, the good life in Comstock’s backyard; Fullerton, California

As Aj and Aaron head back to Dallas, our road trip continues up the coast to Paso Robles and Cambria

Andy picked the perfect AirBnB. It had a swing right by the vineyard

Paso Robles had interesting wine – but, mostly red wine, which Linda does not care for

Back on the road we go. This time we land in Las Vegas. Cow’s first time on The Strip

Cow poses for Andy at the Aquarium within the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace

At night, we went to the Neon Boneyard in downtown Las Vegas. Cow learned some of the history of the hotels including the Moulin Rouge which was the first integrated casino.

Cow looks on as the crowd of young people listen to loud music and drink many adult beverages on Fremont Street.

Cow takes in the sight of Vegas Vickie at the new Circa hotel and casino on Fremont Street.

Time to continue the road trip – goodbye Las Vegas

Cow’s road trip did not intentionally cover Route 66, but parts of it were down this famous highway

One thing anyone can do on Route 66? Meet Jackson Browne while Standin on the corner …

Cow met some interesting characters in Roswell, New Mexico

This friendly fellow was waiting at the Roswell Visitor Center

As we climb back into the car to return to Austin, an official Roswell greeter bids us goodbye.

Cow’s first road trip comes to an end. He is recovering from all this excitement by laying on a shelf in our Austin kitchen. He plans on taking another road trip adventure this summer – when he does, he will let you know.

Bye

Blog 72 – One last adventure

We had something of a list of places we wanted to visit while living in Europe; the usual places, London, Paris, Amsterdam; to which we added: whole countries like Spain, Portugal, Croatia. We were lucky, we got to live in two of the places on the list, both London and Amsterdam. And, Paris, dare we say: “we are good with Paris”, we have been so many times. It is truly good to be a Benjamin.

If you have read any of this blog, then you know we went a lot of places in our three years:

So, as we thought about one last trip, where would we go? Portugal, specifically a hiking holiday in the Algarve region has been on the list for a long time and the weather in November is quite nice; but we decided to let that trip go for the time being. Instead, we went to Finland. Yes, it was cold, but not terribly. (We went in November, not January) And, while Covid caboshed our planned stops in Estonia and Latvia, we were able to spend a good number of days in Helsinki and five days in Utsjoki. Utsjoki is so far north that you have to go south to visit Santa Claus’ village. But it is worth it. We stayed at Aurora Holidays. https://auroraholidays.net/about/ where we had our own cabin with wide open views of the northern skies. We saw the Northern Lights four of our five nights there – such a treat. During the day we hiked and visited reindeer and sled dogs and ate wonderful meals in the accompanying restaurant. Another trip of a lifetime to end our three-year adventure of a lifetime.

The view of the Tena river from our cabin at Aurora Holidays

Shall we begin looking at Finland, with a sunset in Helsinki?

Helsinki Library reflects their shipping history

The Helsinki Cathedral, is actually a Lutheran church – the history of Helsinki goes back to Russian influences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Cathedral

Another Lutheran church which also has an interesting history is the Church in the Rock – a special place. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/a-brief-history-of-helsinkis-temppeliaukion-church/

The Helsinki Train Station is a considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It certainly has the most beautiful Burger King that we have ever seen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Central_Station

One last church picture, the northern most church in the EU is in Utsjoki, Finland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsjoki_Church

On to our cabin at Aurora Holidays. I woke up at 3:15 in the morning, and this is what I saw when I looked outside. We learned later that there had been exceptional solar activity reported from 3:15 – 4:15 am the night we arrived. This is the first of dozens of pictures taken.

But let me also show you the lovely restaurant and the breakfast included with our stay. (Remember, I was up most of the night, so a little tired looking)

Us under the Northern Lights, under the stars.

During the day we hiked up the hill behind us to take in the air and the view. The hut offers a warm place to stay for a bit with a fire pit in the center.

Inside the hut, the hut’s name is Steve by the way. On my left is Tiina, proprietor of Aurora Holidays.

We used Steve’s firepit to roast sausages and mulled cider.

Here we are again; the Big Dipper almost as prominent as the Northern Lights.

If you go this far north, you have to have a dog sled ride; but there was not enough snow for sleds – so it was more of a wagon ride. Still great fun and the dogs are just the best.

At the end of the sled/wagon ride, there is time to warm up with more mulled cider, cookies, and a chat with the dog musher.

Back to the restaurant (all meals were included). This is the end of a berry nice dinner.

Meeting and feeding the reindeer during the day.

At the top of the world, almost; with Rayann our guide and photography expert.

One last picture of us, one last picture of the Northern Lights over the resort, our one last adventure comes to an end.

Blog 71 – The same, only different

For eight days we walked our feet off, Aj and Aaron had finally come to Amsterdam. There were at least two trips worth of sightseeing, shopping, and eating to fit into the one trip that could be scheduled between Covid, weather, and work. The trip was twice delayed and once cancelled, but eventually the borders were opened and we were together again in Amsterdam.

Aj and Aaron: sunset at the Amsterdam Lookout.

With few exceptions, like the Shipping House, and De Dageraad, we went to places Andy and I have gone to before; The Rijksmuseum, The Moco, The Van Gogh, the bakery next door, the shops on the Kalverstraat, and even down to Leiden. The difference is that we could now see them through Aj and Aaron’s eyes. We have covered a lot of ground in our eighteen months, and yet much was new to us during their visit.

We began the week with a tour and high tea at The Shipping House or as it is now named, The Grand Hotel Amrath. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheepvaarthuis This began our official education in the Amsterdam School style of Architecture developed in the early twentieth century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_School And, gave us one more chance to have a High Tea while in Europe.

The Shipping House. Glass skylights over the central stairs.

We filled another day with The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art/Moco; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moco_Museum their ongoing Banksy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy exhibit was worth a second look in addition to the multiple immersive rooms with other artists.

An afternoon was spent at the Rijksmuseum where we took in the current exhibit on the topic: “Remember Me”. (Selfies of the 13^th – 19^th century) https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/whats-on/exhibitions/remember-me A walk through Vondelpark and it was time to find some dinner.

Forget me not, while KAWS exhibit is dismantled

Van Gogh is not the only colorful person at the Ryksmuseum

The New Church is not new to us anymore. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuwe_Kerk,_Amsterdam But, it did have a new curated Amsterdam fashion exhibit; The City, Fashion, and Freedom, which was interesting to all of us. https://www.nieuwekerk.nl/tentoonstellingen/maison-amsterdam/

A quick photo on the walk home – I do not want to forget how beautiful it is here.

After the New Church, we made our way past the ARCAM, the Center for Architecture in Amsterdam, https://arcam.nl/ and on to the Museum of the Resistance. https://www.verzetsmuseum.org/

We knew the afternoon at the Resistance Museum would not be easy; but the history of World War II does not go away by just ignoring it. The Netherlands was neutral during WWI and most Dutch assumed they would stay neutral and avoid Hitler’s reach in the late 30’s. That did not happen. While not a large museum, it does an excellent job of detailing the ways that life changed for everyone, every day under the occupation by the Nazis. The Dutch are known for their organization and general willingness to follow the rules; Jewish families willing registered as they were told. Authorities documented where every Jewish family lived. The result; no country lost a bigger percentage of its Jewish population than the Netherlands. https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/go-in-depth/netherlands-greatest-number-jewish-victims-western-europe/

It is haunting to think that tens of thousands of innocent victims walked the same streets we did.

Stumble stones are placed in the sidewalks in front of the homes, the last place of free choice, of the victims of the holocaust. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/18/stumbling-stones-a-different-vision-of-holocaust-remembrance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein

One of the many memories I’ll take with me from Amsterdam.

Next up; our last trip while living in Amsterdam.

Blog 68 through 70

I didn’t mean to stop writing; the blog just dropped a few notches on the “To Do” list, and the next thing I knew it has been almost two months.

The last posting in this blog was our hiking trip to Austria; still a top-ten thing to do in our minds. Activities, fresh air, beautiful scenery, and good food and drink. But, since that time, we have done and seen a lot more. We went to Brussels, Belgium for a weekend, to Maastricht, Netherlands for a weekend, spent a long (in many ways) weekend in Berlin, spent eight days with Aj and Aaron here in Amsterdam and Leiden (remember the Pilgrims; blog 46), and last week we wrapped up 10 fabulous days in Finland. Yes, Finland. It continues to be true: It is good to be a Benjamin!

With all that, it would just be too, too much to write about each experience, so what follows are a smattering of pictures with a few comments and links. Part 1 of 2 “catch up” postings.

We begin with Brussels:

Brussels, Belgium was home to the 1958 World’s Fair, or Expo 58. The Atomium was the symbol of a technological leap into the future.

The view from the top of the Atomium, looking down the fair’s main parkway entrance.

In Brussels, we spent 8 hours on a walking tour! We met at the city’s Market Square, beautiful by any standard or time period. We then started the tour with seven different chocolate shops – Belgian chocolate is deservedly world-famous and highly regulated to maintain the quality. Yum.

The tour, of course, included a visit to the Manneken Pis statue. What I had not known before is that one costume designer is responsible for outfits for the boy and that he may wear as many as 400 in a year. This was his second outfit for the day we were there.

After all the chocolate, it was time for beer tasting. Again, plenty of different bars/restaurants to learn all about Belgian beers – ending with the beer that has been proclaimed “The best beer in the world”. Westvleteren XII It is so good, it no longer enters the competition and is sold only by lottery which the monks run themselves.

We end the tour at the Galleries’ Royal, where we see only the Love side of a Love/Hate installation. The stop also included our final tasting – a true Belgian waffle.

A few weekends later we were off to Maastricht, Netherlands. Maastricht is a university town in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. It is in the region of Limberg; known for its cheese and for being fought over through the generations by the Belgians, French, Spanish and Germans. The food, the architecture and cobblestone streets reflect these multitudes of European cultures.

If you go far enough back in history, you find the Romans were here too. A waterportal remains from the times Roman ships docked on the Meuse river.

We stayed at the Kaboom hotel. A very convenient location, right across from Central Station. Unique in many ways; you can rent a stick insect terrarium to place in your room overnight if you want. We did not need insects; our room came with a mannequin in the large corner window, light at night for all passerby’s to see. (dark curtain on our side)

A thing to do in Maastricht is taking a tour of the caves. The caves are not true caves, they are tunnels created by hundreds of years of chalk and limestone mining. This is a picture taken in the tunnel which shows the maps of all tunnels. People have been known to get lost in here and die. Note: no cell service. It was also used as an art depository during WWII. Both sides honored the stash of art because both sides wanted the art in tact when they won the war.

In more recent times, early 1900’s, Maastricht developed into a European pottery making center. The huge Sphinx complex housed all phases of pottery making – dishes to the kitchen sink. This is the gate workers walked through as they entered the complex. It is now home to shops, theaters, hotel, and student housing.

We went into what we thought was one home furnishing store; candles, afghans, that kind of thing – it turns out it was an IKEA sized group of linked stores offering all manner of things for the home. We were trapped with no way out – still, a very cool space, that used to be the mold-making rooms.

There are very few Jews in Maastricht. Yet, there is a beautiful synagogue built in 1840 with funds supplied by the city.

We realized walking across the river to our hotel, that we never see a wide-screen sunset in Amsterdam; we are too close to the buildings here in city-center. That made this sunset in Maastricht extra special to us. This is not photo-enhanced. The sky was that orange.

We end part 1 of 2 with Berlin, Germany

When I realized it was only 6 hours by train from Amsterdam to Berlin, we had to go. I wanted to see the Brandenburg Gate. The Gate does not disappoint, and I guess as a tourist, I cannot complain that there were too many tourists there. And, look at that clear, blue sky!

Almost by accident, we also went by Checkpoint Charley. Andy was instructed to stand behind the sandbags for the requisite tourist picture. We both laughed as we crossed the street; not only were we leaving the previously cordoned off American Sector, we were also leaving the KFC!

We spent some of our time waiting in a “day of” ticket line to see the Reichstag that night. (If you did not order tickets months ahead online, this is the only option to go inside) 96 tickets are available each day at 1:00 pm at this booth across the street. However, if there are a lot of people in line, and there are always a lot of people in line, the tickets actually go on sale about noon. They are easily sold out by 1:00 pm. We were among the 96.

It is difficult to take a good picture from within the dome. The glass top opens directly over the Plenum meeting space so that all government laws will now be made in the open for all to see. The history is beyond difficult and while it is a light-filled space, even at night, it remains an oppressive sight.

We spent quite a bit of time at the Jewish Museum and wandering the Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe. Both remind us; do not become comfortable, do not forget.

More time was spent at the Topography of Terror Museum. It is built on the remains of the SS and Gestapo headquarters. The lower wall you see on the right is the remains of the interrogation cells. The goal of the museum is to explain how systematically the Nazi’s took over every aspect of daily life – it truly did terrorize me.

Close up from the Topography of Terror – Brandenburg Gate right after the war’s end.

In 1866 a Jewish congregation built a new synagogue. Reflecting the Moorish style in vogue at the time, it was beautiful inside and out with tile, metal, and wood works. It was among the first buildings destroyed during Kristallnacht, November 9 – 10, 1938. The building façade has been restored to its former glory, but much of the inside is actually now outside as the restoration shows only the outline of the previous building and what remained of the entry.

Guards were aligned at the Gate for a protest.
Perfectly aligned, as Andy captured a Heart of Berlin.

This is the end of part 1 of 2. Coming up next, 8 days in the Netherlands with Aj and Aaron.

Blog 67 – The hills are alive with the sound of … Cowbells!

The movie, The Sound of Music, was based on the true story of an Austrian family living in Salzburg. https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/is-the-sound-of-music-based-on-a-true-story.html/ The movie itself was filmed in and around Salzburg. Stately houses, beautiful gardens, huge fountains, sweeping vistas; all true of the Salzburg area.

But, it was not the movie that drew us to the area, it was the availability of a hiking holiday outside of Salzburg in the lake district of Austria; the Salzkammergut. https://www.salzkammergut.at/en/hiking-trails-in-the-salzkammergut.html A perfect Covid friendly vacation; Covid protocols, small hotels, and most activities outdoors. Time to pack those hiking poles!

Especially right now, few folks are able to quickly plan a trip to Austria, but if you could, or when you can, we would recommend it. What follows below are a few of our highlights from the 10 day trip. A few of our favorite things, if I may. And, while I don’t usually mention the places we stay or companies we use; this was our second hiking holiday put together by Inntravel out of the UK- we do recommend them.

We begin our holiday in Vienna with the best possible of omens; a rainbow over the river Danube.
Do you see the shadow on the upper left? It’s actually a double rainbow; we are double lucky.

The following day we arrive in St. Agatha – this is what we see out our bedroom window

First morning in St. Agatha – Andy is ready to go!

First morning in St. Agatha – Linda is ready to go too! Sporting the latest in stylish rain gear.

Day 1 starts easy; follow the asphalt path toward the hills

Up the hill we go. On the way to Rathluckenhutte for lunch

Here is a sign for the hutte now. We are on the right path.

Time for a break as we go up the hill.
Do you see the muddy pants? Yes, I did go the wrong way on a muddy hill – but just for a bit.

Andy is ready to keep climbing. Up we go.

We make it to the hutte. A cold beer, sausage, and potatoes; yum, German food.
Oh, and cash only – very much in the Austrian tradition, no credit cards taken.

Just up from the Rathluckenhutte we entered a mystical forest as we followed the trail to the eternal wall. https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-route/inneres-salzkammergut/mountain-and-fairytale-trail-bad-goisern/48109691/ A lovely trail which includes carvings to depict local fairytales. A fun thing to look for as we walked up the mountain.

Andy surveys the Eternal Wall – a mountain of stone with two tunnels carved out for hiker access.

Looking back now at the Eternal Wall as we head for the inn and our pre-planned dinner.

A good walk, a rest, a shower, a clean set of clothes; plus wine and beer. Life is good.

We left St. Agatha the next morning. Time to hike over to Hallstatt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallstatt Hallstatt has a history of salt mining going back to the Iron Age, or about 800 BC. The area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It has been called the most Instagramable town in the world.

We walk past the town limit sign of St. Agatha on our way to Hallstatt

Andy checks the directions again: go around the closed gate,
following the path around Lake Hallstatt

It is a lovely walk. Mostly flat with views of the water and hills.

Are we there yet? Can we see Hallstatt in the distance?

Yes, there it is! We take a boat across the lake and land in Hallstatt. Yes, this is Instagram worthy.

As we check into our Hallstatt inn, we see that our room looks out over the Market Square with a view of the mountain and a waterfall. Easiest waterfall hunting ever!

Our first day of hiking from Hallstatt begins with taking the cable car at the edge of town. Up we go.

The cable car ends fairly close to a restaurant and the World’s oldest salt mine.
We were ready to learn the story of Hallstatt’s salt.

First, you have to get suited up to go in the mine

Then you join the whole group and march right into the mine to begin the tour.

A salt mine is a difficult place to take a good picture – but, it was something to see – we learned a lot about salt. And, as we say about many places we go in Europe:
”You could never do this in the US; trip hazards, rough surfaces, uneven stairs, and poor lighting.”

The salt mine tour ends with a presentation about Europe’s Oldest Staircase which was found at this mine. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-staircase-of-Hallstatt-The-3100-years-old-staircase-is-8-m-long-and-120-wide-and_fig4_294885787

After the salt mine and a bite of lunch, we are back on the trail to town.
This route takes us past glacier fields and a waterfall.

Andy is coming back up the side trail after taking pictures of the Glacier Field

Here is one of his close-up pictures from the Glacier Field

From there it was off to the waterfall and back down the mountain into town.

The next day begins with a short trip to Obertraun and another cable car ride.

We are at the top of Krippenstein and walked over to the Five Fingers lookout. Hello clouds!

Andy takes in the view from the end of the middle finger.

As we walk along the ridge, the clouds lift and it is amazing.

The landscape on the back side of the mountain is completely different. Moonscape almost

“Candygram”
For some reason, which we do not know, there is a land shark on our path.

There was some confusion regarding how exactly we were supposed to come down from Krippenstein, but we did figure it out, had a great day’s walk, and made it back to Hallstatt before the sun went down.

Our last morning in Hallstatt. The sun has come out and it is time for breakfast on the lakeside terrace.

A very easy start to the day; we take a taxi to the next town of Gosau.
The driver drops us off at the head of lake Gosau for a day hike around the lake and up the hill to a hutte for lunch.

They said there would be waterfalls on this trail; there’s one now.

We have climbed up from Lake Gosau to Hinterer Gosau – do you see the hutte across the lake? That’s our lunch and turn around spot.

The next day brings another cable car ride and more beautiful views await us.

The next two days have great weather. The rain from the past 5 days is over and temperatures are in the low 70’s. But, this weather conspired to challenge our last two hikes. Day 6 the trail is ruined by mud, and while the helpful folks at a hutte help us get on track -the cows came – to use the same trail. You can’t argue with a herd of cows.

There seems to be only one good way down this mountain – a ski slope that has been recently mowed.

Here we go! Just like skiing, we had to traverse side-to-side all the way down. Good thing we had our poles.

Our last hiking day begins with a riverside walk through town (Gosau) before we begin a climb around the three churches and into the woods on the hill.

It is just above the last church, the pink church, that we encounter a closed gate with this sign. No need checking our directions on this one – we are not going through the gate.

We decide to go up a small path to see if we can link up with the original trail on the other side of the target practice. It is there that we see this sign:
Roughly translating to: Detour Herenweg trail Landslide. Uh oh. We try another trail.

The new trail dead ends so we turn around, walk back to town, take the bus back to the cable car and go back up the mountain.

We spend our last hiking afternoon walking around the top of the Dachstein mountain taking in views in all directions.

And while we did not stop for a drink here at one of the three main huttes, you have to admit this is one nice view to go with your coffee or beer.

We return to the inn as tired hikers one last time. The next morning we are off to Salzburg.

Mirabell Gardens with the city fortress in the background.
We spent most of our time here going through the gardens, visiting the fortress, and then out to Hellbrun Palace and a visit to the Trick Fountains.

When you enter the Tricky Fountains area, they take your picture – we thought not too bad. 🙂 This picture has been linked to a ten minute video about Salzburg.
You can fast-forward to 6:30 on the timeline to learn more about the fountains specifically.
Yes, most visitors do get wet!

With this, our ten days were over. Time to head back to Amsterdam.

But I still have Do Ri Mi from The Sound of Music stuck in my head, and I found no place in this posting to use it – so I am ending this posting with it anyway. This is a video of a flash mob performing to the song at the beautiful Antwerp train station. I dare you not to at least smile if you watch it. Happy trails!