At last, after several blog less days, we have an Internet connection. Well, after Saltzberg we took a bus to Strobel, a small hamlet of the shores of St Wolfgangsee (see at the end of a town name means it's a lake), then on to St Wolfgang. This little town is adorable, also on the shores of St Wolfgang it's all Austrian architecture, sort of the stereotypical Austrian town. Just wandering around town is real kick. We got a package of travel stuff, maps, tokens, vouchers, etc. and spent the evening studying the next days walk. Next morn we walked for a couple hours over a ridge on the pilgrim walk where a church was built about 400years ago on the ridge. Back down to the lake we arrived in Furburg and got on board the tourist boat that sails around Wolfgangsee. The ride didn't hurt our feet or backs, and delivered us to the other end of the lake where we caught a bus to Bad Ischl, another adorable small town. Arriving at 2pm we went to the skyway, a cable car that was nice enough to lift us up over 3,000 ft to a peak that provides the greatest overlook in the entire Seven Lakes area. That night the dinner was included in the stay and turned out to be Mexican food. Their version has lots of veggies; turns out they grow really good veggies here. This morn we left for Bad Goishern down the Salt Trail, a 6000 year old trail that carried salt from the 11,000 year old salt mines of Hallstatt (we're going there tomorrow) and winds through hill and dale and river and creek,and forest and meadow - a beautiful walk. We arrived around 3, after a bit of wandering, and took a rest. Whilst we rested the gods of weather gathered up their might and delivered a mighty storm; a major down pour accompanied by lightening and thunder and ferocious wind. Note: thank you god, for waiting until we were indoors, for we neglected to bring our rain gear. Now here we is watching it pour, and the Olympics - in German :)

Hi all. We have arrived in Saltzberg after a smoo-o-oth quiet, clean train ride from Vienna; a real treat. Yesterday we climbed up to the castle and wandered about seeking out old stuff. We wandered about the castle then meandered out into the surrounding forest to reconnect with nature. Returning back to the hotel and our main street facing room met us with grand amounts of road noise; of special note was the group of young ladies who broke into song at about midnight entertaining us whilst causing a sleepless night.Today we changed rooms to one that overlooks the quiet back yard, then took a bus ride to Hitlers Eagles Nest located just on the other side of the German border. Upon return to the city we wandered about enjoying the magnificent views, beautiful buildings, and that evil stuff - Geloto. The weather gods smiled on us again-it was a lovely 70 degrees but humid.

After LONG day(s) of travel we had our first day in Vienna yesterday. It was supposed to rain but we lucked out and the clouds stayed away while we saw the Hapsberg palace, gardens, and the museums. Walking around the city is a delight - so many quaint little roads veering off it's easy to lose your way. We were still jet lagged so opted to stop at a market and have bread, cheese,and wine in our charming room. Today we set out for the Schonbrunn palace just outside of Vienna. The subway system here is so easy, quick, and clean. Again the weather smiled on us and we spent some time wandering the palacial gardens before touring the palace itself. It is so beautifully ornate and ostentatious! Hope to have some authentic schnitzel for dinner tonight. Well we completed two days of the Viennese walk. different from the Viennese Waltz, it looks more like a walk, and it's performed on the sidewalks of Vienna instead of on stage. I think the Hapsburgs invented the word roccoco, every room of both palaces were resplendent with it, and the churches followed suit. That having been said, Vienna is a regal old city, filled with splendid old buildings constructed back before labor was so expensive, and thus with hand crafted facias, grand statues, and ornate everything. It was fun to just wander the streets. And finally we must mention the evil found throughout the city - it's called Gelato. Disquised as icecream it's actually much more addictive, and once you've taken even a small bite it takes over your mind, and before you know it you've consumed several bowls of the stuff.

Hi All

We have (We hope) created our very own blog for this trip. There are several advantages: first, the postings don't clutter your mailbox, second, you have the opportunity to access them when you want, reading as much as you like without having to click to a new email, and third, oh well, I forgot the third. Now I'm not sure anyone will actually get this so, I wish those of you that read this good health.

PhilnLynn