Austria 2008

Salzburg, Austria

2009-04-02T16:42:00.000-05:00

Lindau Germany

2009-03-23T19:12:00.002-05:00

Stained Glass in Munich

2009-03-11T20:41:00.001-05:00

Bregenz, Austria

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Nancy at the Church Doors

2009-01-26T17:45:00.000-06:00

At the train station with Beth and Jessica and me in Mirabel Gardens

2009-01-19T20:28:00.001-06:00

Some Beautiful Scenery

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Festive Dress of the Bavarian People

2008-12-29T10:20:00.001-06:00

Christmas Shop in Salzburg and Munich church

2008-12-26T21:42:00.000-06:00

Ponies on Selvretta

2008-11-24T21:33:00.000-06:00

This was one of the Incinerator Dudes.

2008-11-20T17:36:00.002-06:00

A Shot of a quaint home in Bregenz

2008-11-17T20:20:00.000-06:00

On Our Way to the Beer Garden in Munich

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We were out and about that entire day and then once we all met back at the hotel some of us decided to walk to the beer garden. It was a long walk but well worth it because our time at the beer garden was the best fun we had the entire weekend.

Me in Salzburg.

2008-11-12T17:03:00.002-06:00

This fountain and plaza were just a block from the Weisse Taube where we stayed those two days. You can see the fortress in the background which is the same as seen in The Sound of Music.

Me visiting the TOSCA stage before the show.

2008-11-09T17:48:00.001-06:00

The Amazing Tosca

2008-11-01T12:49:00.003-05:00

Anyone care for a game of chess?

2008-11-01T08:04:00.000-05:00

Who Wears Short Shorts????

2008-10-23T18:03:00.000-05:00

Strong Austrian Hedge Trimmer Dudes do!!!!!!!!

The Winery

2008-10-02T19:10:00.001-05:00

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We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day than what we had when we visited the Winery. It was just gorgeous and the food and wine were simply fabulous. Dining outside made it that much more special and enjoying the wonderful people I traveled with was just great. And of course the wine tasting was a blast. It was fun to watch people just slowly mellow as we strolled and sipped each variety they offered. And those huge handcarved wine vats. . . just incredible.

Lindau, Germany

2008-09-28T07:57:00.000-05:00

The Doors Of Austria

2008-09-20T19:55:00.001-05:00

Crammed like Sardines

2008-09-09T18:29:00.002-05:00

We loaded in buses and a van to treck up part of the mountain. Those of us in the van were crammed in as tight as we could get. April and I were scrunched next to Alan and Lisa in that small back seat. It was fun though and we laughed so hard.

Oh So Serious!

2008-09-05T16:58:00.004-05:00

Scott was the biggest cut-up on the entire trip. . . . . no Brian was. . . . no Scott was. . . no

Contrasting the Old with the New

2008-08-26T19:14:00.002-05:00

Boats on the Bodensee

2008-08-25T20:32:00.002-05:00

These brightly colored boats on the lake in Bregenz were so pretty. One early evening I had to walk part of the way home by myself after dinner at the monestary so I decided to stop and rest there close to where the boats were tied. It was so peaceful watching the sun go down. There were people strolling along the walkway and someone was playing music at the gazebo there on the water.

Up the Hill in Old Bregenz

2008-08-24T19:38:00.001-05:00

Lindsey Looking Like a figure from a DaVinci Painting

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I miss this Place

2008-08-21T19:53:00.002-05:00

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Having Fun on Silvretta

2008-08-18T19:45:00.003-05:00

Harry cheesin' it up for the camera and Deb Thrall, if I had known we could hike up the mountain that way I might have gone with you!!

The Bavarian Flag

2008-08-15T18:21:00.002-05:00

I loved the colorful blue and white flags of Bavaria. I left Munich wishing I had bought something with that pattern on it. I had a second chance when we visited Lindau so I bought a bandana to bring home with me. I keep it close to my bed to remind me of my fabulous trip.

No Words. . . .Dachau

2008-08-11T07:06:00.003-05:00

Meal Preparation at the Winery

2008-08-09T17:33:00.005-05:00

During our visit to the winery we ate a fabulous meal that was prepared in this massive cast iron skillet. We watched as he mixed vegetables, pasta and seasoning together into a delectable dish that we all enjoyed. This was such a great day.

Lindsey and Me

2008-08-08T15:52:00.003-05:00

Waiting for the opera to begin.

The Sound of Music Tour

2008-08-07T06:14:00.002-05:00

We visited several of the sites where filming was done for The Sounds of Music. My favorite of course was Mirabell Gardens. The gazebo we saw was only used for a couple of the shots. The rest of the footage was filmed at a second gazebo. Our tour guide told us that they have to keep the gazebo locked because people always wanted to go in and dance on the benches and on more than one occasion someone fell and got hurt.

St. Peters Cathedral Salzburg

2008-08-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

Near Mirabell Gardens

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I guess everyone who passed this tree sat or attempted to sit on this branch. It was so slick it was nearly impossible to get your backside up on. Jackie tried but just couldn't quite make it. I don't know how I did but I made it and she took my picture. The branch was propped up with a huge concrete pillar.

OK Lindsey and Erin, you need to explain!

2008-08-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

Sweet Music in St. Peter's Cathedral

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Ahhhh the sights and sounds of Salzburg!!!!

Ohhhh was he good looking . . . I mean good on the guitar!!!

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Salzburg, Austria never looked better. ALL of the scenery there was wonderful.

The Exterior of the Catacombs

2008-08-05T09:58:00.001-05:00

The Ascent into the Catacombs

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These are the early Christian catacombs carved into the rockface above the church cemetary. The final communal crypt LIV (by the catacombs) contains the body of Mozart's sister, Nannerl, an exceptionally gifted musician herself, and the torso of Joseph Haydn's younger brother, Michael (his head is in an urn stored in St. Peter's). Pretty creepy huh!!!

Jackie in the doorway of one of the few rooms in the catacombs

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In the Catacombs

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Our exit from the Catacombs

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Jackie and the Cheese!

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Jackie looks quite uneffected by the smell of the Stinky Cheese place.

Let's Talk Cheese!! Stinky Stinky Cheese!!!

2008-08-04T16:39:00.003-05:00

This had to be one of the smelliest places I've ever been in my entire life but the cheese was exceptionally good! Not everyone liked the cheese either. I think it was difficult to get past the smell and just enjoy the good taste.

How Cute and Oh so close!!

2008-08-04T15:06:00.004-05:00

I thought this was the cutest little car and Oh how brave it's driver must be to park ON the bumper of the car in front. We saw several Smart Cars while in Austria. Can't say that the driver of this car is too smart though. My Aunt Nancy says that you don't have to park a Smart Car, you just pick them up and put them in your purse!

More from the Open Market

2008-08-04T14:23:00.002-05:00

Visiting the open market was great. The fresh flowers were what grabbed my attention first but then you couldn't help be amazed at the fresh fruits and vegetables, the fish, meats, olives, and the people.

Another Incredible Sunset on the Lake

2008-08-04T13:44:00.000-05:00

The Mayor of Mader's Official Mode of Transportation

2008-08-03T19:52:00.002-05:00

The mayor of Mader met us at the elementary school and gave us a tour of the building and grounds. He was so keenly aware of how the building functions and how it was designed to be eco-friendly. They believe that a clean environment makes for good learning. He dooesn't have a car that he drives around town for official business. . . he rides his bike.

Recycling Containers at the School in Mader

2008-08-03T19:48:00.001-05:00

A visitor to the recycling containers

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While Joe discussed the use of the recycling containers a lady walked up and began to place items in the dumpster.

The Whole Reason We Were There!

2008-08-03T19:23:00.002-05:00

The whole reason we were in Austria,Switzerland and Germany was to look at Environmental Sustainability. They are so far ahead of us in how they dispose of their waste. Recycling is a way of life for the people in Bregenz. Around the city are centers where people bring all of their recyclables. Most families will have one small bag (Wal Mart size) of garbage a week. Everything else is recycled. Joe is showing us the recycling location closest to the student center where our classroom was.

Photo Books

2008-08-03T19:11:00.002-05:00

Hey I'm happy!!!! I got my first photo book back from the trip and I'm very pleased with the quality. And you won't believe it but I ordered it from CVS. You can put the whole book together with captions at home using their software at CVS.com. It was sent to their store in about four days. If you don't want to scrapbook but are looking for a great way to have a keepsake of the trip this is fab!!! Check it out if you get a chance. Or I could suggest the online lab that I use for my enlargements and prints and that's Mpix.com. They are incredible too although I was a bit disappointed with the last hardback book that I ordered from them. The binding was messed up just a tad. They were more than willing to correct the problem but I wasn't that concerned about it. There's another site that you can check out too that my friend Karen shared with me this morning and that's blurb.com.
I'll be posting some more pictures in the days ahead so if you're not bored out of your gourd stay tuned!!!!

It's getting random now!!

2008-08-02T13:36:00.002-05:00

My posting of photos is getting very random now. I tried to stay in sequence as best I could as I sorted through all 2000 shots. I think I did pretty good up to this point. I'm still waiting to hear from some people before I post any photos of them. I chose not to do that without their permission. Everyone you have seen so far gave me that permission. Beth W. sent me a link to her website and she has some wonderful photographs of the places we visited, She and Holly went to Vienna and saw some amazing things there too. I hope that more of our group will share photos so that we can continue to remember this incredible trip.

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Free Counter

Morning Mist

2008-08-01T16:51:00.003-05:00

We were up early to leave the mountain and some young men were at the lake with their boats. The mist was heavy but through the mist I caught a glimpse of two of the men rowing across the glass-like surface of the water.

Selvretta at Dusk.

2008-08-01T11:33:00.003-05:00

Joe sampling raspberries in Mader

2008-07-31T16:56:00.000-05:00

Home Away from Home.

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Melainee always had a simple yet filling breakfast waiting for us each morning. There was fresh fruit and homemade bread, thin sliced bacon and pickle and pimento loaf. I enjoyed the honey most of all spread thick on the homemade bread Melainee made for us. The Nutella was a great treat too. The nectarines were just wonderful and the apples were so juicy and sweet.

Joe gives us instructions!

2008-07-31T16:43:00.000-05:00

Billy, Melinda and Graham having dinner at the monastery.

2008-07-30T21:52:00.000-05:00

Care for some Chocolate??????

2008-07-30T21:48:00.000-05:00

Christopher Street Day in Munich

Scott prays!

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Scott prays that there won't be anymore spinach balls while the rest of us pose for a snapshot.

She got me!!!

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Melinda got me as we walked to the farm at the end of this mountain road.

Lunch at the little Italian place.

2008-07-30T21:33:00.002-05:00

Remember we rode the train for a while and then Stephen showed us the restaurant he recommended we have lunch at. We asked if he would sing for us since he was on his way to Choir practice and he did. Pretty cool!!!

Lunch on Selvretta

2008-07-30T21:26:00.003-05:00

Jackie, John, Gilda, Lisa, Alan and Nancy. We had such a great time in this beautiful place. Everyone chose something they wanted to do and then we had three hours of quiet peace to enjoy ourselves.

A fun night for the girls!!

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More Fun at the B. G.

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So much music and singing. It was such an experience. A true German Beer Garden in Munich!!!

A fun night at the Beer Garden

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Sweet Music in Mozart Plaza

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Some fun ladies!! Beth and Holly

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Lavina and I.

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Waiting for the train to Munich.

Remember these!!!!!!

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I think the opinions varied about the spinach dumplings or as most of us called them spinach balls. I had the pork!!! I think for me that was the right choice. Everyone at our table knew how Scott felt. What do you think??

Kathy, Nancy and Billy after taking the lift up the mountain

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Alan and Lisa

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Harry and Deb

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Briannnnn what are you doing?????

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Brian, Scott and their Austrian friends

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Nancy and Kathy after dinner at the Monastery

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Erin and I on the train to Munich

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Deb at Selvretta

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Some Fabulous Folks

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One of the best things about our trip to Bregenz was the great people we traveled with. I had such a fun time getting to know each and every person in our group. And what a priviledge it was to get to meet all the EKU gang. You all are the best!!!
Beth W. you are the perfect airplane buddy. That's what you need on a TEN HOUR FLIGHT!!! And we did it coming and going. And thanks for hangin' with me when the goin' got tough on our way up the mountain! You too Lavina. . . and boy can you sing! THE HILLS ARE ALIVE!!!!!!!!! With Lavina's beautiful voice.
Kathy, one, two three, SMILE!!!! We both need fair warning before they snap that picture don't we!! Billy did you really like the mineral water? I tried but couldn't do it. Melinda, out of 2000 pictures that were taken on my camera you were the only one who gave me bunny ears. I love it!!!! Graham will I really have good luck after shaking your hand? I already have because I got to go on this trip with you guys.
Susan you are such a tenderhearted lady. You and I would be great friends if we lived closer together. Thanks for filling me in when I needed filling in. April you crack me up. Thanks for wading in the cold water to get me a chair from underneath the golden wishbone before TOSCA. Now that's a true friend. And Theresa we tried hangin' out in Munich but that silly cold rain got the best of us. Are you still wearing your socks with your flip flops?? :o) Holly. . Ahhh the glam gal. Gosh you looked gorgeous before the opera and of course every day before that. You were stylin' no matter where we went! Lindsay you're just the sweetest gal in the whole wide world and I love ya!! Thanks for encouraging me to go to the beer garden with you guys. It was some of the most fun I had. Never thought someone would ask me for my sausage!! Hee Hee!! I will always remember the Bavarian Pub too. Was that place really as small as it seemed???? Erin you are so thoughtful and a ton of fun to boot. I'm so glad we had more than just Earth Force training to get to spend time together. You're the best! Harry and Deb, what can I say, I love ya, love ya, love ya. I'll take a lesson anytime you offer one!! Deb Thrall what a smile and gosh you're a blast to be around. Come visit KY sometime soon. Rebecca, Decolores and keep praying for my sis! It was a pleasure hangin' out with you. Jackie, I wanna be like you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are like none other. What a blessing to spend time with you. You truly walk the walk. God bless! Scott, I'm still waiting for the perfect monitor and thanks for the laughs. Don't be eating any spinach balls O.K.!!!!!!! John and Gilda, you all are so sweet together. I want to hear that antique instrument play real soon too. Alan and Lisa you all are the same, just such a great couple. What a joy to have met you two. Jill thanks for loaning me your blow dryer and for making me a folder on your laptop for the first 1000 pics. Jess and Beth you all are a hoot. I had fun shopping at the toy store with you in Munich,I would never have found that bright yellow .50 cent poncho that made me look like a giant banana walking all over Munich, thanks for letting me walk back with you that afternoon. Gosh I was tired. Brian you're the coolest. I'm so glad we got to go on this trip together. You certainly were the most animated in the photos I took. Funny!!! And thanks for getting to the bottom of the missing envelope. I knew I never had it. So how was the drive home. Bet you wished you had listened to Joe!!!!!! And speaking of Joe, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. You know my sentiments about this incredible trip already so I won't repeat it. I do thank you for encouraging me when I needed it most and for everything you did, both big and small to put this program together. I can't imgaine all that it takes to plan those two weeks. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I will never forget it.

Gebhartsburg and our last night

2008-07-29T09:36:00.007-05:00

We went up the mountain to Gebhartsburg and had dinner at this beautiful Medieval Castle. The views were incredible. We had a wonderful dinner with our house frau and guests and spent time remenicing about the two fabulous weeks. Joe and John played for us and we all sang along to some great songs. We watched the sun set over the Rhine Valley, watching it disappear at the edge of the Bodensee. What a perfect way to end an unbelievable time in Europe.

Small Minds

2008-07-28T21:40:00.003-05:00

Mama always says, "Small things amuse small minds." So was the toilet video small minded? I think the water usage that night went through the roof because we ladies were all fascinated with how clean that seat got after a good scrubbing!! I know, I know . . . small things, small things.

Ahhhh the life of a European or is it You're a peein'

2008-07-27T21:50:00.003-05:00

More photos to come!

2008-07-27T21:44:00.003-05:00

I feel like I need to take a break from all the photos. I've had my nose in these files sorting through each picture trying to decide what else to post on the blog and what to send to the printers. I'm tired. The house is upside down with all the mail that collected while I was gone plus an entire suitcase of menus, napkins, brochures, maps and anything else that I could bring home free of charge from my trip. There are strategic piles all over my house that need to be sorted and stored. Inservice on Tuesday and lunch with the girls on Thursday. My days of summer will soon be a distant memory. I do have one more post to do and then I'll give it a rest. It's the best video I have of the entire trip (not really but it's quite a hoot)

Beautiful Mountain flowers

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The mountain and the dam

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Nancy and the Mountains

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More from Selvretta

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A view from my hotel room.

Munich

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The Beer Garden

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Munich

2008-07-25T19:45:00.002-05:00

The Entertainment

2008-07-25T19:32:00.003-05:00

We had the pleasure of hearing tons of wonderful musicians on the streets of both Munich and Salzburg. The following few posts are some brief video clips of some of what we saw and heard.

Tosca

2008-07-25T07:29:00.003-05:00

Tosca was fabulous. I knew the plot of the story but it was still difficult to follow along. The opera was sung in Italian with German subtitles. That didn't matter though because I was so fascinated by the stage and the mechanics of it that I stayed in awe of what was going on.

The flowers

2008-07-25T07:04:00.003-05:00

The flowers in Austria were just fabulous! Many of the homes have flower boxes just overflowing with color varieties of flowers. I'm inspired to do the same at my house.

No snacks for you!!

2008-07-25T06:59:00.002-05:00