Adventurous Driving
We prefer to show less words and more pictures but we had to write more today to set the stage for today's drive.
After picking up our rental car at MUC airport (an Audi 4 Wagon - free upgrade), Bill hooked up his Garmin GPS. But first, Bill and Ric (Ric is driving) had to figure out how to get to the Airport Hilton where Karen and Vicki were waiting with the luggage. It took them approx. 10-min to find their way after waiting 20-min at Europcar - Europcar said today was one of their busiest days.
After loading the car, off we went to Hallstatt, Austria. Normally a 3-hr drive wasn't to be today. Driving to Hallstatt was through some absolutely beautiful country with the Alps surrounding us. The GPS was working great but after 1 1/2 hours, it told us to exit. So, trusting "Dudley Do Right" (Karen named our Garmin Dudley because he always got his man) we got off the main highway and followed a georgeous 2-lane road thru the country surrounded by trees and small villages. After a few miles we began to wonder why he sent us this way instead keeping us on the main road? After several miles we thought Dudley was wrong and turned around and went back to the main highway. Ric decided to call him Dudley Dumbo - as in dumb - because he must have been wrong!
Approximately 10-miles down the highway we hit road work coming to a stop adding an extra half an hour to our drive. Apologies Dudley - you were right so next time we'll follow your instructions. Then about 45-min from Hallstatt, we followed his instructions again through a road construction area and ended up on a 1 1/2 lane road thru the trees. Very beautiful but once again we began to doubt Dudley. Soon we could see the main road but as we neared the road end, there was gate/arm across the road. Ric made a fast stop because the arm was black and about the size of a pencil in diameter. We almost didn't see it at all! After inspecting the arm, it was obvious all we had to do was hold it open. After passing thru, off we went and mearged back onto the main 2 lane road. Apparently the arm was to keep animals out.
Finally, after our adventurous drive we arrived at the most beautiful/picturesque village on a lake in Hallstatt.
The lake and village is surrounded by mountains and is a car free zone except for special licensed vehicles. Once we parked outside town, a courtesy shuttle took to our B&B, the "Seehotel Grüner Baum".
We walked around a little and then decided to relax before our 6:30 dinner reservation here at the B&B.
After picking up our rental car at MUC airport (an Audi 4 Wagon - free upgrade), Bill hooked up his Garmin GPS. But first, Bill and Ric (Ric is driving) had to figure out how to get to the Airport Hilton where Karen and Vicki were waiting with the luggage. It took them approx. 10-min to find their way after waiting 20-min at Europcar - Europcar said today was one of their busiest days.
After loading the car, off we went to Hallstatt, Austria. Normally a 3-hr drive wasn't to be today. Driving to Hallstatt was through some absolutely beautiful country with the Alps surrounding us. The GPS was working great but after 1 1/2 hours, it told us to exit. So, trusting "Dudley Do Right" (Karen named our Garmin Dudley because he always got his man) we got off the main highway and followed a georgeous 2-lane road thru the country surrounded by trees and small villages. After a few miles we began to wonder why he sent us this way instead keeping us on the main road? After several miles we thought Dudley was wrong and turned around and went back to the main highway. Ric decided to call him Dudley Dumbo - as in dumb - because he must have been wrong!
Approximately 10-miles down the highway we hit road work coming to a stop adding an extra half an hour to our drive. Apologies Dudley - you were right so next time we'll follow your instructions. Then about 45-min from Hallstatt, we followed his instructions again through a road construction area and ended up on a 1 1/2 lane road thru the trees. Very beautiful but once again we began to doubt Dudley. Soon we could see the main road but as we neared the road end, there was gate/arm across the road. Ric made a fast stop because the arm was black and about the size of a pencil in diameter. We almost didn't see it at all! After inspecting the arm, it was obvious all we had to do was hold it open. After passing thru, off we went and mearged back onto the main 2 lane road. Apparently the arm was to keep animals out.
Finally, after our adventurous drive we arrived at the most beautiful/picturesque village on a lake in Hallstatt.
The lake and village is surrounded by mountains and is a car free zone except for special licensed vehicles. Once we parked outside town, a courtesy shuttle took to our B&B, the "Seehotel Grüner Baum".
Our rooms have balconies over looking the lake.
We walked around a little and then decided to relax before our 6:30 dinner reservation here at the B&B.
Dinner on the dock looking back at our balconies and our view the other direction was spectacular.
Walk after dinner and the square just outside our lobby door at 9:15pm.
We'll be here all day tomorrow enjoying some of the most scenic place in Austria.
It looks like a fairy tale village, complete with swan on the lake!
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