Grab Your Swimsuits

Good Morning Everyone,
This morning I am delighted to invite you to take a tour with me
to the most scenic lake in Austria, Hallstadt

Imagine strolling down a very narrow street
with many shops on both sides.
You all want to stop every where.

Take a look at where we're going.
Hallstatt is packed into narrow confines between
Lake Hallstatt and the Dachstein Massif.
That setting is what makes it so unique and beautiful.

We take a little stroll up the mountain to find
a magnificent view of more lush pastures and verdant hills.

As we walk along the lakeside street
we see many shops and cafe's
It doesn't take long and I here some say,
"Let's check this out."

WOW! There's reason to check out this quaint shop.
First of all it has a tree growing through the shop
and what's hanging from it's windows/branches ?
Designer made dresses from the folks in this town.
Now come along, don't get hung up here...
Just around the corner, I here some holler,
"Jewelry!"

Jewelry in Germany/Austria is always called Schmuck.
Oh, my wallet just can't stay in my pocket any longer.
And it doesn't take long and all of us have
bought a custom designed piece of jewelry.

Now, comes the surprise.
The owner of this little store has invited us for a
short cruise on the lake to thank us for our purchases.

We are now introduced to 8 year old Uli.

Here he is and some of you are looking at me very hesitantly.
"Life Jackets and everyone on board, I holler."
Uli turns to me and whispers, "We don't use life jackets."
I said, "Just throw them in the boat."
Some of you turn your backs and decide to go shopping.

Some of us continue on the tour with Uli.
Before you know it he takes us to an area that says,
"Privatbesitz, Betreten Verboten"
(Private Property)

Here Uli shows us his home
and the little shop where they make all the Jewelry.
Just before we are to arrive back to our destination
Uli invites us to his backyard patio for ice-cafes'

Now you know why I asked you to bring your bathing suits.

Do you the have travel bug?

Quaint little homes.

Far in the distance we see the "Church of the Assumption"
Some of you may be wondering what that means.

He then escorts us back to safety.
Notice he jumps on the hood of the boat and steers backwards.

I don't blame some of you for not coming along,
but those of you who can afford the adventure would say,

"Another Day in Austria!"

Thanks for joining the tour and you better
plan on taking your swim suits and hitting the lakes today.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends.