Catching Up

     The next day started cold with art in buildings designed by Hundertwasser

    

     and ended warm with drinks along the Donau Canal.

    

     BTW: It may appear we drink more in Europe (and we might), but it seems more a part of the culture here, as this sign on the pub across from our hotel shows.

    

     I had never heard of Hundertwasser before my first trip to Austria in 1995, but I have been a big fan ever since. He designed a block of public housing units that I nicknamed the Fred Flinstone building because they are so interesting, off-kilter, and (if you ask me) fun.

    

     But his rationale was, "Why should these people have to live in boring buildings?" We also visited a museum whose building he designed that also housed his art. There was a photo show of rural life, its positives and negatives. Here are a couple of our faves.

    

     Along the way, we went to an Apotheke (Pharmacy) whose sign in the window explained that the owners' grandmother had worked in the same pharmacy in the 1930s.

    

     We finally found the Jewish Memorial, which we had tried to find earlier but failed three days in a row.

 

     The next day involved another train ride, this time to Gmunden, a small town on a big lake where people come in summer and winter for outdoor activities and indoor spas. When we told people in Vienna that was our next stop, they asked, "Why?" The main reason was to ride out Easter (as big a holiday as Xmas in Europe). But we also wanted a smaller quieter place mid-vacation and a nature experience to balance our city ones. All our hopes came true as we wandered the town on the first day.   

      The weather was magnificent (26C/70F and sunny each day).

      The views were fantastic.

 

   

     And the attic studio just out of town that we rented made for a great retreat.

     The next day we went up the lower near mountain, Grunberg.

     We took a cable car to the top and immediately rode back down on a "summer toboggan," a sort of monorail.

     (Not Mary! Or Kevin)

     We then set off on an hour hike to Laudachsee, a mountain lake.

   

     That made for a full day. The next day, we stayed closer to home. Mary had a recovery day, and Kevin explored the town by foot.

    

     The next day was Easter (today! And I'm caught up!). We took a boat ride on the lake.

   

     Then we came home and took a long nap. It's been relaxing and invigorating.

    

     I summarized the last few days to catch up to my pictures. Remember there is a comment tool at the bottom of each entry on the blog's web page. Please let me know what you want more or less of. Thanks!