Another dose of Austria and another dose of the Eggers! Lucky us...especially the rest of the Pavlik clan, who ended up making the cut this time! From Venice we traveled northward through Switzerland to Wagrain, Austria, where we would spend 2 nights in a vacation home that would rival Lucca's. We were originally slotted for departure from Lucca a day later, but due to a little Chronos-concocted confusion we ended up zipping off a day early (unknowingly). We made the best of the day by going on a gorgeous hike to the Tappenkarsee (lake).
However, some huge credit must be given to the outstanding Egger hosts, who gave the recommendation to hike Tappenkar in the first place. On our first day in Wagrain (after just arriving in the evening the night before) we explored the surrounding area via a walk that turned into a hike. Pavlik definitions concerning the two are loose, and many would not be satisfied with the amount of grey area present in the defining process. Long and short of it, the walk was longer than expected, involved transporting ourselves up the literal side of a mountain (without switchbacks), and ended up having a time deadline that resulted in a very fast pace...resulting in promotion and the attaining of "hike" status. If you will be so kind as to follow me back to the beginning of the paragraph, the Eggers.
Post-hike we met with the Eggers for a delicious meal of Wiener Schnitzel. The restaurant is family owned and is the only place Hans (father Egger) will eat the dish, so we felt good about the situation. We also had Stiegl beer. Hans informed us that it is the oldest of Austrian beers and, "When you see a 'Stiegl', you have to drink it". I did my duty. After dinner we went on another little walk and then settled down for some coffee, cake, and cards before Johanna and Johannes had to leave. I must mention that Katha (Johanna's sister) made both of the two cakes we consumed that evening and they were to die for, Austrian specialties fabulously put together!
