It has been a month since we learned how to use the Via Ferrata or “Klettersteig”, a protected climbing route found in the Alps. This past Thursday was another Austrian Holiday, so we took advantage of the nice weather and day off to drive to Obertraun, just beyond Hallstatt, to do our first climb alone. It was an easy route to test our skills by ourselves. The route even included a tightrope section.

This time around, we were able to keep the footage of our climb because we bought the GoPro HERO8 and our climbing helmets have a mount. Our previous one rolled off the mountain the first time we went climbing. Even four weeks later, we think of that GoPro often… just laying on the ground at the base of the mountain.

Friday and Saturday were the hottest days yet, and it really brought the crowd to Gmunden. We knew it was a popular summer destination and we are happy to see the hustle and bustle back in our little town! The large crowds were not the only new sight to see. The rose bushes in our garden have started to bloom!

As well as a lot of rain and rainbows.