Austria....Take Two

This weekend we decided to take a trip to Austria.  Parker, Juju, and I went back in May, but neither John nor the Michels had been before.  So early Saturday morning we all piled into the Odyssey and drove the 2.5 hours to Salzburg.  The weather was drizzly and cold....not the July 4th weather we are accustomed too!  On Saturday, we stayed in the city all day.  We shopped, ate, drank and covered most of the tourist sites (Mozart's house, the fortress, and of course the chocolate shops!).

Sunday morning we got up and headed to Berchtesgaden to the Salt Mines, which were first used over 1500 years ago.  Usually, we stay away from "tours" because they don't usually mix well with small children, however at the salt mine, we had no choice.  The tour was GREAT!  We all had SO much fun!  Everyone (including the babies) got to wear "miner suits".  We rode into the mine on the tiny train, the tunnel barely had enough clearance for us to fit....Inside the mine we got to ride HUGE slides deeper and deeper, Parker loved it!  

After the salt mine we took the bus, then the elevator up the 6017 feet to the tip top of a Kehlstein Mountain to Hitler's Eagles Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus.  The view was outstanding, but it was COLD, like 40 degrees cold!!  For those of you who have seen Band of Brothers, it was featured in the last episode.  Hitler used the house to entertain politicians.  

Next we all went to a SuperBike race outside of Salzburg.  John was thrilled (this is DRASTIC understatement!).  We got to watch the big race and walk around the tents and see various bikes.  Parker posed with the "Ducati Girl", her daddy was VERY proud!

And in true Bavarian spirit, we finished the day at a Beirgarten :).

Monday morning on a way out of town we visited Hellbrunn Castle and Gardens.  These were no ordinary gardens, they were full of "trick" water fountains.  Apprently, the  Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg had a sense of humor and was able to hide numerous fountains throughout the gardens to surprise his guest with occasional showers!  Parker loved the impromptu squirts!

Kissing the dog....

For those Sound of Music fans, this is the gazebo from the scene "Sixteen going on Seventeen".