Hello From Austria Classical Music Hiking Summer Tobogganing Two Delicious Backyard Feasts II
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Hello from Austria: Classical Music, Hiking, Summer Tobogganing, and Delightful Feasts
An Austrian Adventure with Friends
At 9:30 AM, I set off to visit Klaudia, one of my closest high school friends, at her parents' house. Doris, another schoolmate, was already there, and it was wonderful to reunite over two decades after graduation. After warm greetings and catching up, we headed for a walk up the Weizberg hill. Our path led us through a local cemetery where we paused at a notable grave: the resting place of Aurelia Schwarzenegger, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mother, who had been a long-time Weiz resident.
Klaudia shared a touching story about her father, who once aided Mrs. Schwarzenegger when she suffered a heart attack at the cemetery. He called for help, but unfortunately, she passed away shortly after. Arnold Schwarzenegger later extended his gratitude to the ambulance team and Klaudia’s father.
Near the church, we explored the Krutergarten (herb garden), lovingly created by local residents, including Klaudia’s mom. The garden features herbs commonly used in regional cuisine. We then descended the romantic stairs, a familiar pathway from our childhood, passing by our former high school and reminiscing about our school days.
Musical Memories and Culinary Delights
One of our fondest high school memories was a choir exchange with a partner school in Offenburg, Germany, where we jointly performed classical pieces. Singing with 120 other voices from two nations was exhilarating and sparked my lifelong love for cross-cultural experiences.
Returning to Klaudia’s parents’ home, we prepared a hearty meal. Though not particularly skilled in the kitchen, I donned an apron and helped with chopping and cutting. Klaudia’s mom effortlessly whipped up Austrian specialties: Brselknödelsuppe (breadcrumb dumplings in beef broth), stuffed green peppers, and mashed potatoes with caramelized onions.
Hiking and Adrenaline on the Schöckel
After indulging in such a substantial meal, we decided on a workout?"a hike up the Schöckel, the tallest local mountain at over 1400 meters. We reunited with Doris around 2 PM and equipped ourselves with Nordic walking poles for the ascent. Doris, an avid hiker, set a brisk pace, and we followed behind her. The climb was steep in parts, necessitating the use of our hands, but the walking sticks proved invaluable. About an hour later, we were rewarded with panoramic views of Styrian hills and mountains.
The Schöckel is often called the "Grazer Hausberg" or Graz's local mountain. From its summit, we enjoyed views of the Styrian capital, the Mur Valley, and beyond?"stretching plains to the south, foothills to the east and west, and the imposing Styrian Alps to the north. We also saw hang-gliding ramps, a popular activity in the area.
We wandered past cows grazing peacefully and reached the summit area, home to a cable car station, a few restaurants, and a summer tobogganing course. The weather was perfect, and many hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists gathered at the top. Fascinated by the tobogganing, Doris encouraged me to try it.
Always a bit of a thrill-seeker, I eagerly accepted. Doris generously covered the €2.50 fee, and soon I was seated in a toboggan, ready for the descent. Although the ride was tamer than expected, it was still entertaining, and I considered trying a faster run without braking.
After returning by lift to the summit, we strolled past the Stubenberghaus, a large mountain inn, toward the summit cross, which offered stunning views of Upper Styria’s mountains. I'm always captivated by endless mountain peaks, and this scene was no exception. Our hike back to the car was far easier than the climb.
Stopping briefly at Doris's charming country house, we admired her garden pond and new dog. She gifted us ripe Styrian peaches before we returned to Weiz, dropping Klaudia off.
A Memorable Backyard Feast
In the evening, Klaudia, her family, her parents, her sister Andrea, and her nieces Nina and Katja joined us at my brother’s place for a delightful barbecue. My brother Ewald, a passionate chef, had prepared some special treats, assisted by his wife Anneliese.
After initial conversations, we savored a savory vegetable soup. Ewald then grilled 13 whole Arctic chars in a large pan over an open fire. Marinated all day in a special herb blend, the fish was accompanied by tender young potatoes and a hearty Styrian salad with pumpkin seed oil. A luscious raspberry parfait concluded our culinary symphony.
Despite yesterday’s rain, the last days in Austria were filled with classical music, hiking, friendships, and fantastic food. With only one full day left, we planned to explore Riegersburg, a medieval fortress on a basaltic outcrop, known as the strongest fortress of Christianity, never conquered.
It’s been an enchanting visit?"a perfect blend of reunion, nature, and gastronomy.
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