Austria
August 7 to 29, 2010
westendorfer wohlfuehlweg
the wellness trail
In the afternoon Opa joined us for a little walk in the woods to explore the newly built stations of the Wohlfuehlweg (wellness trail). The first stop was a water labyrinth where the kids got to wade through the maze in their bare feet. As we continued along we passed by the Westendorfer Rundweg cache to drop off a geocoin that wanted to come back to Austria and there we met a couple from Holland who were also in search of the cache. Then we stopped in at the lift station to get Christopher an Alpinolino hat as a reward for all the great hiking he's been doing. Back on the wellness trail we doubled back and went the other direction, passing by a bridge and the Westendorf water springs.
Heading up the street from Uri's house to the Wohlfuehlweg.
I could see how a little drink "apres ski" could make you feel well, but this is not part of the wellness trail. ;-)
Since we started the trail in the middle we first headed towards the lift station and the first stop was the water maze.
Christopher hikes up his pants to try out the maze.
Samantha is getting closer to the middle.
Big smiles as she finished the maze! :)
Taking a rest in the "bird cages".
Christopher gets a little snack of blackberries along the way from Opa.
Christopher and his new Alpinolino hiking hat.
Way to go Christopher!
While dropping off a geocoin at the Westendorfer Rundweg cache we meet up with a couple of dutch geocachers.
Snack time!
Opa helps Christopher supplement his chocolate snack with some more blackberries.
Heading back to do the rest of the Wohlfuehlweg.
A demonstration of the amazing woodpiling skills of the Austrians!
Bridge.
Opa decides to have a little snooze.
Samantha and Christopher would like a little wooden hut like this back at home!
Hey! A maple leaf! They must have known we were coming to visit!
Samantha and Christopher like the 'beds' but they don't seem like they're ready to take naps!
Do a little dance!
Time to cross the bridge and see what's next.
A wall of happy thoughts and well wishes painted on rocks.
Samantha likes all the decorated stones... many of them painted by local school kids.
More inspirational thoughts...
Not a great picture but we happened to spy a fairy ring in the woods.
Austrian trails always have lots of great benches for taking a rest and enjoying nature.
A traditional type of Austrian fencing.
A view of Westendorf from the trail.
The final station... the fountain is familiar to us but the structure behind it is new.
Samantha hanging out at the Wohlfuehlweg.
Rubby seems pretty relaxed also.
That looks like a really yummy cookie Christopher!
Just chillin'!
The wellness trail symbol.
We walked a little further and found this post... looks like they are planning more stations for the future!
austria menu:
still to come:
august 20-29