Our first Austrian alpine hut

Note to self: When an Austrian map says the elevation gain is 900, that is meters and not feet! We climbed 3000 feet in 3 hours -- practically straight up. But other than the climb, it was everything I imagined it would be: beautiful views, green meadows filled with flowers (still looking for edelweiss), and delightful huts along the way. We rewarded ourselves at our hut with a cold beer, carrot kuchen and a mountain of whipped cream almost as high as we are. We are adventuring in the area known as the "tame" Kaiser mountains. The "wild Kaisers" are calling to us though. We spent the afternoon looking at wildflowers and sitting in the sun at "Vorderkaiserfeldenhutte" (do they know I have to type these long names on an iPhone?) Back inside the hut we had to try an Austrian delicacy called "Kaiserschmarrn" which is a fluffy pancake that is torn up, topped with powdered sugar and johannisberries, and served with applesauce. They eat it for dinner! I have found heaven and it is Austria! The thunder and rain are starting but we are cozy in our hut.

Sent from Ann's iPhone