Austria

June 17 - July 14, 2009

June 26, 2009 - Guggenkögele: Alpinolino Marmot Rallye - Part 1

The Alpinolino trails were among the first of this type of mountain top activity centre to promote families, especially the kids, to get outside, go hiking and have fun. Along the trails there are stations with activities that teach about animals. Knowing that there's always another station around the corner motivates the kids to keep walking and discovering new activities. It definitely works! The Westendorfers of course think that Alpinolino is pretty lame compared to Hexenwasser but Samantha and Christopher and never tired of repeat visits during our trip.

Samantha and Mr. Alpinolino do not seem bothered by the drizzle.

Hmmm, I guess we won't be getting much of a view at the top!

Another Alpinolino guy... Sam was a bit more shy with this one.

Inside the lift station, Samantha finds a display with a "Beep Beep Machine" as she used to call the snow caterpillars when she was 2 years old.

Rubby had to go back home to change his shoes... ;-)

At the top of the "Alpinolino mountain" was a little playground and some bunnies to feed.

This Alpinolino station lets the kids see how far they can jump compared to some animals.

Sam on the other hand is more of a mouse.

Sam on her own scored 5.4 which is between a mole and a mouse. Together we scored around 17 which is between a mouse and a badger.

A cloudy day... not much of a view.

The whistling marmots welcome us on to the marmot rallye trail.

Sammy hiding in the tunnel...
she's well on her way to earning the Alpinolino title of "smart aleck".

The matching station. Both Sam and Christopher are curious.

The clouds are lifting a bit so we can start to see some of the neighbouring peaks.

Samantha correctly matches up the momma, poppa, and baby deer.

And ooooh, Christopher is quite impressed!

The "scent organ and touch box". Hmmm, that somehow doesn't sound right!

Sammy goes for it and sticks her hand inside the holes to feel the marmot paws.

Off we go to the next station!

At the marmot viewing station.

June 26 intro | Guggenkögele Summit >>