The Melk Run

We're now at the point in the blog where I no longer post sequentially -- it jumps around because I'm behind.  Don't worry -- I will cover it all, but, loyal readers, it may take a bit.

We checked out of the hotel in Vienna and traipsed through the streets of Vienna, with our rucksacks (that's European for backpacks -- your language lesson of the day) on our back and dragging our suitcases the mile or so to the Hertz location for the rental car. 

After signing the various forms and pledging my first born in case of an accident, we walked the block and a half to the car.  The clerk was very nice, but she said we would spot the car "because it is the only Italian car on the block."  I've pondered this, but I'm still not sure what that means.

I promptly could not get the car to shift into reverse.  Um, that was frustrating.  I may have cursed a bit.  I kept trying to jam the stick up and to the right, but it wasn't doing anything but shifting into first gear.  Carol went back and fetched the clerk, who came and pointed out that the ring on the shifter had to be lifted up to shift into reverse.  Oh.  That's a new design feature to me.  After that, the six speed Ford was easy to drive.

Then we had that annoying wait for the GPS to calculate the route -- and since we were between large buildings, it was not picking up the satellite.  I saw a sign for the A1, and took it -- it was the right way to go.  It took a bit to fight our way out of Vienna, but we eventually got on the highway west. 

We stopped in the Danube river town of Melk, which features a grandoise monastery perched high on a hill above the small town and the river.  The library room (again!) was stunning, as was the church.  The weirdest part was the two skeletons of unknown martyrs on display.  Lori Weigel had suggested a stop in Melk, and it was a nice contrast to the city -- a country town with a must not miss monastery. 

Then, it was back on the road -- with a long trip ahead of us -- to Neustift and the Hotel Jagdhof in the Alps.  The reviews on TripAdvisor were generally positive toward the hotel, although some complained that it was kitschy.  Not so (to us).  It's the equivalent of a ski lodge in Colorado -- decorated with local flair.  This is the Tyrolean Alps in Austria, not a Marriott in Indianapolis.

Dinner was great -- very nice food and service.  At the restaurant, you are assigned your own table throughout the course of your stay for breakfast and dinner.  Kind of a nice concept.  The girls want to hang out at the pool and the spa tomorrow (which is actually today).