Week 197: Parents in Austria
There is something special about sharing the place you call home, even temporarily, with the people you love. My parents decided to make a stop in Austria while on their European trip to celebrate their 40th anniversary, my mom’s retirement, and my birthday!
Wednesday
After months of anticipation, my parents landed in Vienna and arrived in Gmunden Wednesday afternoon.
A cloud hugging the Traunstein
Thursday
To kick off their visit, I planned a special sunrise photoshoot for my parents’ 40th anniversary on the Gmundnerberg.
Mom and dad dancing on the mountin
We woke up before the sun.
The drive up was peaceful, and as we reached the top, the first light began to spread across the horizon. It was masked behind the clouds, but still, a few faint colors appeared across the sky and mountaintops.
Earrings from Omilo
Detail shot
My parents stood hand in hand, looking out over the stunning view.
Framing the Traunstein
They danced, attempted to read an old German poem, and pretended to recite their “vowels.” lol
It was a lovely start to their visit and a memory we will all cherish forever.
Their OG wedding photo
Dress details
Friday
The next day, we decided to take a day trip to Braunau am Inn. Eric and I had walked around this town in week 24.
Dad is in Germany. Mom is in Austria.
Braunau am Inn is a quaint town that straddles the Austrian-German border, with cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, and a complex history.
Braunau Cathedral
The Inns river
We wandered through the town, taking in the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. For lunch, we stumbled upon a small Indian restaurant thanks to the yummy smells flowing from the other end of the alley. The food was delicious, though we had to fend off some very determined bees that seemed to have a taste for Indian spices!
Indian Food
Indian restaurant
Indian restaurant decor
On our way back, we made a stop at the Silent Night chapel. A peaceful spot where Silent Night was first performed on December 24, 1818.
Silent Night Chapel
Saturday
Our third day together took us to the Dachstein Skywalk, one of the coolest landscapes in Austria. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side, and thick clouds obscured the usually breathtaking views from the top.
Cloudy Dachstein
Cablie car to the Dachstein Glacier
Still, the experience of being up there, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Alps, was something special. We shrugged off the fog and made the best of the situation, enjoying the eerie, mystical atmosphere that the clouds created.
Photo opp at the Dachstein
Photo opp at the Dachstein
The Dachstein Glacier
Eric with his in-laws on the Dachstein Suspension bridge
The Dachstein Suspension bridge
The Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness
The Dachstein Suspension bridge
People heading to the Glacier
Got a spot by the window on the way down
After descending from the fog, we made our way to the Eagle’s Nest.
In front of the Eagle's Nest
This was Eric and my sixth visit, but it is a place that always leaves an impression, no matter how many times you visit.
Views from the Eagle's Nest
The Eagle's Nest
The Eagle's Nest views
Eric at the Eagle's Nest
The Eagle's Nest
The land where Hitler's home once stood in Obersalzburg
Sunday
August 4th was a special day—my 32nd birthday!
We spent the day exploring Gmunden, enjoying the beautiful landscapes, and savoring delicious cake from our local bakery before my parents left and continued onward for their 10-day cruise around Scotland and Ireland!
