A short catch up...

Well, we have been on the run ever since Chase joined us in Vienna on Saturday night. Early breakfast and a venture of driving in a foreign territory. Even with plannned driving routs via Google, the instructions might as well have been in German! Really wasn't that bad but their signage and lead indicators are NOT very clear. With only a couple of snafus we made it To Hallstatt by noon and it was one of those postcard perfect sights. We'll try to give more details later, but a long weekend in a peaceful small town like Hallstatt should be on everyone's bucket list. After an overnight stay, we got up early and had a nice Euro breakfast. Our next stop was Salzburg, but on the 75-90 minute drive we stopped at a summer Rodelbahnen. We were first in line to buy tickets, but we let a few locals go first to see what was to be in store for us. Rodelbahnen, you ask...it is a luge like ride. You have a sled with one handle that serves as the brake; and you ride it down a metal track (perhaps like a tube on a water slide). You are pulled up the mountain backward by a chair lift that has a big hook. We hope to post a video as Chase filmed one of his rides with his GoPro. After a unique adventure we headed on to Salzburg...only one minor misdirection and we got into the city. Our room was ready early, so we unloaded the car and got our bearings. We spent the day visiting the old Salzburg and got to see almost everything we planned. Missed the Hellbrunn castle, but may stop by in the morning before we head to Fussen. Fussen is the site of the castle, Neuschwanstein that inspired Walt Disney's first theme park. Yes, the one we all see before every Disney movie. We've thoroughly enjoyed our first few days, but have made some "memos to self"...need a goof-off/veg day after day 5. Can't do Salzburg justice in one day, perhaps 2 would do. Have patience while driving in a foreign land and expect to get lost every now and then. Odds are your spouse hasn't been there either, so be kind. Mix in more teenage things to do, 'cuz how many churches and old buildings can one take! On to Germany!