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| 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! |
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| Waiting for the shuttle to the cave... |
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| May pole! |
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| 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... |
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| Waiting for the gondola.... |
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| Beware of Rockslides! |
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| I'm glad I snapped this shot before the clouds rolled in! |
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| 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... |
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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| Nature memorial. The state of Salzburg established this as an "especially protected cave". It is named Eisriesenwelt. |
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| If I had had time, I might have hiked this trail instead of ridden the gondola! :) |
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| Giant castle in Werfen. |
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| 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. |
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| little Werfen! |
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| Looking down the tracks one way... |
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| ...and then the other. It was so peaceful and quiet here. I wish I had spent more time here! |
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| 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! |
Your post reminded me of when I was in France with two friends when My Humps came on the radio. (: We weren't shy though, we def. sang along and the French people we were with found it very funny.
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