August 3: Austria: The Hills are Alive
As I swooped down and around one mountain pass after another in Austria today, I found myself inspired to sing a variety of songs from the Sound of Music. Looking at the lush green vegetation, rolling hills and towering mountains, beautiful rivers snaking along the foothills, and little villages clustered in the valleys, I could finally see what Julie Andrews meant by “The Hills are Alive.” Of course, part of my good mood had to do with the amazing dinner I had at a local winery the night before.
I left the small hamlet of Kollersdorf this morning with a smile on my face, clean clothes, and a full stomach. My Bunk a Biker hosts the night before had welcomed me with open arms, done my laundry, and treated me to a once in a lifetime meal at a nearby farmer’s house.
Because local wineries are allowed to sell food without a restaurant license if it is not heated, several enterprising growers in this rural area have started serving gourmet cold dishes in their gardens. I felt transported back in time as I walked down the cobblestone pathway to the eatery, passed several large wine barrels with marble tabletops, and sat down amidst the twinkling garden lights.
My dinner included freshly made bread of all types and sizes, a huge plate of cold meats, and several tantalizing spreads. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the meats were fresh and flavorful, and the spreads were incredibly creamy and rich – made with a variety of ingredients including eggs, potatoes, and cream cheese.
When I left my hosts this morning, I knew today might be challenging as rain was on the forecast. Sure enough, just a few minutes after leaving the temperature cooled and the rain started. As I climbed up and down the mountain pass on my way south to Mariazell, I questioned what I was doing, spending yet another day attempting to navigate tight curves in poor visibility. Committed to reaching my destination, I started singing “Climb Every Mountain” at the top of my voice to cheer myself up.
It helped that the views were so darn pretty. Little villages dotted the riverbanks, surrounded by light green meadows, darker green foothills, and stark granite mountains towering above the wispy fog. Stone churches with tall steeples stood out from each little cluster of homes and businesses. Cattle grazed in the thick green fields and crops flourished in the rich fertile soil.
After reaching Mariazell, I headed west towards Zell Am See, noting that several thousand other people had gotten the memo about the beauty of this mountainous part of Austria. As I wove through one little town after another, I dodged large tour buses, speeding cars, and road construction equipment. The good news was that none of the traffic could block the vast far-reaching views of the gorgeous rolling hills and mountain tops in front of me. I’m so grateful to have seen this part of Austria.
