Austria
August 7 to 29, 2010
hexenwasser
Lunch and Barefoot Path
The bit of witch's bread didn't really fill anyone up and since it was lunch time we decided to check out what was available. The kids got to grill hotdogs and we had lunch at the restaurant.
After lunch we proceeded along the barefoot path, a path designed to be walked barefoot with lots of different textures underfoot along the way. The beautiful afternoon had brought out tons of tourists and it was all a little overwhelming! On the positive side, during the summer they have a bit more programming... at the bee house we just missed making beeswax candles but Samantha and Christopher had fun playing in the bee tunnel maze.
A little birdie enjoying the day.
We're enjoying the nice weather too!
Kikiriki!
Inside a little chapel along the way.
Painting on the ceiling of the chapel.
Witches dot the Austrian landscape.
Hmmmmm.... lunch anyone?!
Samantha trying to figure out how the boats work.
Opa helps by turning the wheel to generate wind for the sails.
It looks like some of the giant ants from the witch's woods have escaped and are attacking local buildings.
Anyone up for roasting some hotdogs?!
It's a hot day for a fire... luckily we can cool off again after lunch!
Someone was too hungry to wait for the entire hotdog to be done before trying some!
Christopher wolfs down the rest of his hot dog.
After the hot dogs we decide to head to the Stocklalm restaurant for some food for the adults and dessert for the kids.
A bread baking demonstration at the restaurant.
Say "cheese!"
While we wait for a table and order the food, Sam and Christopher play in the sand and water.
Slippin'...
...and a-slidin'!
Lots of tourists... some have pretty fancy rides they've brought along!
We head to the start of the barefoot path where the play area is unpleasantly packed with tourists.
Christopher sliding along while a little girl watches him.
Samantha finds a spot along the water chute to play.
It's a nice play area but we decide to continue on to a shady and less populated area.
Now there's a firepit setup for back home! ;-)
Picking a snack of raspberries in the woods.
It's busy at the rock polishing mill where the lineups are long to try and get a magic Hexenwasser rock.
Oma and Samantha take their turns.
A pretty flower.
Christopher finds a tree trunk bridge.
Snack time again!
A foot bath along the barefoot trail.
At the witch's washing area.
Hexen laundry.
Samantha and Opa walk through the peat bath.
Ummm mom, this looks like cow poo!
Rubby finds a geocache.
Another Hexenhaus... these are common sights in Austria as they are used by professional hunters/rangers.
I think Christopher got his head stuck in a rock again!
A couple of lazy bums.
A beautiful day at Hexenwasser.
But as we head down the barefoot path, we can see ominous clouds poking over the mountain behind us.
Arriving at the bee house.
A patch of lavendar for the bees.
Unfortunately we came too late today to participate in the candle making craft.
Can you find the queen bee? She's the one with the red dot!
The kids discovered the bee hive maze.
Watch out for that stinger Rubby!
Oma emerges from the bee maze.
Samantha likes this bee table and thinks it would be cool to have one for crafting at home!
Summer tobogganing.
Wheee! That was fun!
The Austrian eagle.
austria menu:
still to come:
august 20-29