Fashings/Carnival in Thaur 2006!

A fun night for celebration...after our trip to Vienna, we celebrated Thuar style by going to the Thaur Bicycle club's Ball...Alex is the one on the right...I think.

By coincidence it was Valentines day!

After a great day of backcountry skiing in one of Austria's National Parks, which boasts the highest mountain in Austria (Grossglockner), we headed back to the village where Alex's mom was born and most of the family still lives: Assling. It is nestled along the border of Austria and Italy and is on the hillside facing the mighty Dolomites. I remember when I first got there last year, that it was dark and the next morning when the sun came up, I really thought that the mountains were right outside the window, the valley is so tight and the mountains so dramatic.

So, after freshening up a bit...we set off to Lienz for dinner and watched as a near full moon crept up over the jagged peaks and backlit them in a mysterious light (unfortunately though we tried, the photos didn't come out).

After a nice Italian dinner, we made our way back home and then I convinced Alex, as we were both pretty exhausted from the day's excursion, to take a little walk to work off some of the proscuitto, parmisan, and other lovely fatty foods that we had just consumed. There is an old church that sits on the hillside and we had visited last year in the winter and were dazzled by the millions of stars overhead. Again, we followed the curvy road up to the church that was lit by some outdoor lights, candles, and the moon.

After pouring 2 glasses of prosecco (like Champagne), I did the deed...in the same spot where we had stood the year before. It came as quite a surprise for Alex for though we had been talking about it for some time, of late, I had been brushing off the idea as something that we could do down the road.



I had actually had the design for the ring in my head in Alaska and had started sketching it out and sent it to a couple of goldsmiths in AK and Seattle to see what they thought, but waited until getting to Innsbruck to have it made. Found a wonderful artist (thanks to Sabbi...that had made 2 of our friends rings) who's small back ally shop is classic and he is a skilled metal worker and nice guy. Through a mix of Germ-glish, drawing, pantomiming, and grunts, I conveyed the idea to him.

Not to get too artsy-fartsy, but...It reminds me of the river and natural flow of life. There are two bands (engagement/wedding band) that overlap: one silver one white gold. At first we were going to go with a sapphire surrounded by 2 diamonds (asthetic reasons for the #) but I think that he said that it looked better this way, or that the sapphire didn't work out...or something. Regardless, we're both (all) pleased.

After the shock was over, we looked up and truth be told, there was a giant ring around the moon. From a meteorlogical perspective, it was an indicator that the weather was going to change for the worse the next day, but for us, it seemed like a nice touch to an already special day.

The next morning, we packed up and drove about 5 hours to Vienna to see the town, for me to have a meeting about possible work, and to pick up a friend who flew in for the week for a business meeting and with whom we'll spend a few days skiing before he returns to the States on Monday.

So, all in all, it's been a great couple of days. While raining today, we've enjoyed Vienna, but I must say, I could have stayed in Osttirol for a few more and been perfectly content.

Until next time...

nate

Skitour - Hoher Kopf

A nice backcountry trip about 20 minutes from our apartment...

Andrew hits Austria

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AQ in Austria

A few more incriminating shots...

Beware...this man is dangerous!

Trip to Osttirol...

more from Osttirol

Photos from Salzburg

.09 Oktober Our day in Salzburg...with Jakob & family

This morning we left Innsbruck a little after 10:30 and drove the 2 hours to Salzburg, which also took us through Germany on the way. The day was fantastic...blue sky and all. We wove our way through the city to Marion & Matthias' apartment in anticipation of meeting (my first time) the new arrival of Jakob! He was asleep when we arrived, just finished nursing and was a beatuiful baby. We had a nice lunch of fresh curried veggies and rice and then some cookies Alex made and coffee. Afterwards, we headed out for a stroll along the Salzach River. We stopped for a while to rest under the large willow trees for a drink and for Jakob to refuel...then lazily made our way back to the car. Now, we're waiting for pizza for abendessen...and then back to Innsbruck.

nate

Oktober Fest! Leichtenstein - where? It's a country.

A night to remember...or not.

Gary, from Leichtenstein (Sigi's boyfriend) and I.

Sigi (Alex's roomate) and Alex

A hike in Alaska...Hatcher Pass

With a few of Alex's friends from Austria

The old homeplace...Alaska

From here to there...

Lived here for 2 whole years! Long enough to plant a small garden, paint the house...make it feel like home. But then again, life is a journey, so why stay put...your home is where you make it.