Yesterday, Inge, Erika, Margie and I went to the Alps!
It was a beautiful day to drive through the countryside and small villages. There were little strawberry stands along the roadside and enormous cows in the fields. Not the Happy Cows from California, but huge tan and white bovines.
After strolling around the lake and through the village, we took a cable car to the top of one of the mountains where there was a restaurant. The area is a ski resort in the winter and a hiker's paradise in the summer.
We dined on schnitzel and spaetzel and, of course beer. As we were eating, a group of hikers came down the mountain and as they collapsed on the benches to drink water and eat chocolate, I could fully appreciate their exhaustion. I was also a bit envious of their journey.
I left the ladies to relax and enjoy their drinks and climbed part way up the mountain. At the top was a cross that I hoped to reach, but on the way up I heard thunder and saw the dark clouds coming over the mountains. I took a few final looks around at all the beautiful wild flowers and tall pine trees and began my climb down.
It was fortunate that I did as they were at the bottom yelling, "Hurry, hurry!" We got on the last cable car down the mountain before the storm hit.
I stayed at Erika's for a bit on our return, visiting. As if I needed more wool, Erika dug out all her old wool and knitting needles and gave them to me. It's beautiful.
Everyone here has been so kind and generous to me. I feel as if I have two new wonderful friends.
Today is a bit cold so I'll go and visit a museum and then go to Erika's. Margie wants to take me to a couple of her favorite places around town. If the weather is better tomorrow, we will go to Straumberg (?) to see some dancing. We'll see.
