Time To Go

I snapped a couple shots that I had been meaning to take the whole month as I hurried to the school at 4 in the morning to meet the bus to get to the airport in Zurich. This is mine and Felicia's third floor bedroom.

Nic in her bed basket on the second floor.   I always had to duck as I walked up and down from here, the ceiling was low. Found it out the hard way. 

I am very grateful for having the opportunity to experience Central Europe for nearly seven weeks. I am especially glad that I got to share it with Adam! Now Felicia and I have completed our German minors--together! I have many fond memories and love that I got to experience so many cool things! But it is good to be home.

Small Town Adventures Day 4!

I went to church in Plattling before catching a train to Munich for lunch and then on to Augsburg, Germany.

Bavarian sky.

My hotel in Plattling

The Eiskanal in Augsburg!

Left is class II, right is class III-IV. I paddled left! Maybe someday I can go back and paddle to the right. :)

The Eiskanal is the first man made whitewater course. It was built for the Olympics!

Augsburg was not as small as I thought. But it is important, as the second oldest city in Germany.

ICF World Cup in Freestyle Kayaking

The Jackson family, makers of Jackson kayaks (from Tennessee!), were here. Almost all the competitors had a Jackson boat. World Champion Eric Jackson has retired but he was there to cheer on his kids Dane (17) and Emily (21ish). The Jacksons cleaned house!

Team USA kayaks were red, white, and blue!

Emily Jackson earned silver in the women's freestyle competition.

Eric Jackson shows everyone how it's done.

The landscape kind of reminded me of Tennessee.

Many different kinds of boats!

big air on a flip!

Awards were presented by some locals in traditional attire.

Go USA!

Dane Jackson received a medal in all of the four categories of competition he entered: squirt, junior men's freestyle, open canoe, and C1. For this, he received a special medal from the President of Bavaria!

Plattling

Bavarian style beer hall at Plattling's folk fest

Movin' on to another small town: Plattling, Germany

Alps to flat farm land in just a few hours

Once I got to Plattling that afternoon after Werfen, I went over to the World Cup in Freestyle Kayaking site. I had missed that day's competition, but I figured out my camera settings on people practicing.

Pyranha kayaks!

At the competition site there were bleachers, and then there were giant bean bags!

Beloved Little Werfen and THE WORLD'S LARGEST ICE CAVE!

My hotel and it's owner--the sweetest woman in Werfen! She and another couple going to the cave expressed concern when I stepped out wearing shorts and my Patagonia long sleeve shirt. haha. They laughed and were relieved when I told them I had pants, a jacket, and a sweatshirt in my purse! I was prepared!

Waiting for the shuttle to the cave...

May pole!

To get to the cave, it took a ten minute shuttle bus, a twenty minute walk, the longest gondola ride I've ever experienced, followed by another twenty minute walk...

Waiting for the gondola....

Beware of Rockslides!

I'm glad I snapped this shot before the clouds rolled in!

This is a trail...not for the average hiker! I'm sure you would need some hardcore gear for this. I'd love to do it someday...

I loooved observing the ecology of the area. It was my first time in a tundra biome! Tundra is found near the poles and at very high elevations, such as the Alps. It has small biomass but a large biodiversity of short vegetation, including pretty flowers and mosses! I was at the top of the Alps, above the tree line!

I made it to the cave! The cave is 42km long. The first km is full of amazing ice formations, which  you can see here: http://www.eisriesenwelt.at/site/content/CB_ContentShow.php?coType=photos . The inside of the cave stays below freezing all year long. In winter, cold air pushes in. The rocks hold in the cold like ice packs during the summer.

Nature memorial. The state of Salzburg established this as an "especially protected cave". It is named Eisriesenwelt.

If I had had time, I might have hiked this trail instead of ridden the gondola! :)

Giant castle in Werfen.

On the shuttle back down. On the radio a traditional Austrian-pride type song played, and the Austrians sang along. I thought it was funny, the song mentioned something about it raining constantly for half the year (it's true), wearing lederhosen, drinking beer probably--I don't remember exactly, I wish I did! Immediately after this song, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival played. :) "Ooh that red white and blue!" I felt like singing along, but I did not. haha.

little Werfen!

Looking down the tracks one way...

...and then the other. It was so peaceful and quiet here. I wish I had spent more time here!

Werfen train station! I had a nice conversation with the gentleman working the train station. He was very chatty (and a good challenge to my German-speaking skills!), I don't think they get many visitors here. haha. He printed me a great train schedule and got me on the road sooner than I thought I could. Everyone here is so nice! The train station was as empty when I left as it was when I arrived. I was sad to board the train, because I knew it would take me out of the heart of the Alps, which I love so much! I'm so glad I made the trip to Eisriesenwelt, it was AMAZING!