Austria
August 7 to 29, 2010
Schwarzsee and Opa's Party
schwarzsee
An overcast cool day... great day to do the Schwarzsee Earthcache. From the earthcache description:
"The Schwarszee is a typical stagnant water of silting-up moorlands. Silting-up moorlands result in consequence of the silting-up of stagnant water (mostly lakes) from deposit of mud at the ground and from the onshore vegetation's growing into the water (quaking bog), that finally turns into peat. Silting-up moorlands are particularly common in areas that glacial staged during the last ice age (Weichsel and/or Würmeiszeit) (Jungmoränenland) far in Central Europe. Their nutrient content depends on the aggradated lake and can vary from there strongly. But due to the nutrient entries by humans they are usually eutrophic."
Off to the bus stop.
Passing by the kindergarten.
The "Sennerei" in Westendorf where milk and cheese products are made and sold.
While waiting for the bus, Samantha and Christopher befriend "Charlotte".
Samantha looks like she's enjoying the ride!
Arrival at the Schwarzsee bus and train station.
We've barely even started our hike and the kids already want to stop for a rest!
An interpretive panel explaining a bit about the moors at protected nature site of the Schwarzsee.
The kids have fun on the fitness trail.
The lake is called the "Black Sea" because of the dark colour of the water from the moors.
Some of the moor plant life.
A requisite photo with the gps in order to log the Earthcache.
Across the lake we see some campers/fishermen along the path... an odd place to camp out it seems!
The "fence" along the water is to try and combat shore erosion.
Now can we have a snack?!
A big restaurant at the other end of the lake.
A pretty morning despite the clouds hanging low in the mountains.
Once we've gotten past the halfway mark around the lake we finally stop to let the kids have their snack.
Rubby heads into the forest to find a regular geocache.
Some fishermen out on the lake.
One of the locals is checking us out.
Duck!
Wait a minute... that's not a duck! Someone appears to be out for their morning swim.
Fancy contraptions for those who are too lazy to hold on to their own fishing rods (and have extra money to burn I guess!)
Interesting camp set up!
A little too exposed to foot traffic for our liking!
A great view of the Kitzbueheler Horn reflected in the Schwarzsee.
Another great view across the Schwarzsee, this time from the restaurant gardens...
quite the contrast from the natural protected area on the other side!
austria menu:
still to come:
august 20-29