Grete's sister joined us. We drove off to the woods, maybe 30 slow-driving minutes away, parking in a lot in the tiny burg of Sulz.im Wienerwald. Michi had a hiking map; we changed into our boots and took off.
The Austrians are very active outdoors. I've noticed this in areas blessed with great natural beauty, like the Rocky Mountain states----people just do things outside. They're brought up doing these things (B often "complains" of being "dragged up the ski slopes from the age of three.") Everywhere I look I see people in their 60s riding bicycles, jogging, all kinds of stuff.
Indeed, even though we were out in the woods, several times we passed individuals or groups on their hikes. Michi told me: "Grete and her sister, when hiking, must go for at least three hours or it isn't worth it to them." Sure enough. The other three were like mountain goats compared to us, walking at a fast pace. It was a humid day from Saturday night's rain but it didn't seem to slow the Austrians down...
Some of the things we saw:
An old house in the village of Sulz am Wienerwald
The hills are alive with the sound of copyrighted digital music, all rights reserved.
A huge meadow in the Wienerwald, with the Alps in the distance.
This is called a "cuckoo pint." Looks like tiny habanero peppers to me...
but habaneros don't grow in clumps like that, of course, and not in the forest.
but habaneros don't grow in clumps like that, of course, and not in the forest.
Yes, another castle. Austria has more castles than McDonald's has "restaurants."
This one is Burg Wildegg.
Grete and her sister are retired. I asked them both if they miss their jobs. Answer: no. Even though they liked their jobs, they like not working even more. In my talks with them I learned they share my basic philosophy about retirement: 1) a year of freedom in your 50s is probably better than a year of freedom in your 70s, 2) how damned much money do you need, and will more make you happier? 3) you never know what kind of shit will hit the fan, so enjoy life while you can.
Hey: I'm not against work, especially if you need to or like to. If you neither need to or want to, WTF? Get on with the business of living. Holding on for "just one more year" might be the biggest mistake you ever make.
The hike exhausted me, but I get the feeling the others were pretty wasted by the end, too. On the way home we stopped off at a place for dinner and drinks. I discovered this fancy drink:
It's called Pfirsich-Bowle. Do a Web search for the recipe.
According to our friends, it's pretty easy to make. And delicious, according to me.
According to our friends, it's pretty easy to make. And delicious, according to me.
