Carinthia Part 3

After a short drive to Griffen we stopped for lunch.  Anyone for some salami or ham?


Then we drove up and over some of the Carinthian Alps with lots of quaint alpine scenery.


Then down to Friesach, a medieval town -- but, of course, to Emily it's more important as her place of birth!


City walls and a moat were built as part of the city's defenses.

The two favorite medieval methods for torture -- you can pick between the dunking cage or the stocks.

And naturally, we end the trip with cake or ice cream at a sidewalk cafe.

Martins Birthday

Martin celebrated his birthday twice -- just couldn't get enough!  The first time he partied at home with us, grandpa, grandma, and some of the Daniliants family.  

Yummy!

You're not blowing hard enough!

Are you having fun in your new hammock?  Thank you grandpa and grandma.

The second celebration was at a restaurant with us and Martin's parents, sister, and niece.

Carinthia Part 2

Hey, Kathy, do you remember climbing up to Hochosterwitz?  That was fun, huh?

Time for a lunch stop with Martin's sister.  

Today we saw Carinthia

Here's the whispering gate at the church in Maria Saal.

Roman decorative stones that were used in the church walls.

The gothic church in Maria Saal.

Here's the duke's throne where he pronounced his judgements.

The count's side of the chair.
The castle, Hochosterwitz, is on top of the distant hill; it was built and used throughout the middle ages, and is still currently owned by the same family.  

A Beautiful Day in Aquileia (Italy)

We took a short two-hour jaunt to Aquileia, Italy, where the Romans once built a port settlement on the Mediterranean.  In the 4th century A.D. the people converted to Christianity and began the building of this church using elements of Roman architecture.  The entire floors were mosaics and the walls were frescoed.  In the early 20th century they excavated down several layers and found these original mosaic floors -- some of the most beautiful from that time period.
The rooster represents light and the tortoise darkness.  The good shepherd tends his sheep.
This is the baptismal font.

After having some good pasta and pizza for lunch, we stop for, of course, Italian ice cream.  (I ate a scoop for you, Kathy, yummy, yummy!)

Family Lunch with Omi & Opi

This is Klagenfurt

Cathedral Square in Klagenfurt.

Dad finds the car of his dreams!

Pick a coat of arms!  This is the state capital building.

This is the Klagenfurt Opera House.

This is the symbol of our city -- which one is the real dragon?

Hercules slaying the dragon.

Thanks for the interesting story about how Lake Wörth was formed, Marie.

And here was the little dwarf who flooded the valley, creating the Lake.

Visiting Elisabeth in Villach

Peggy & Merrill in Austria

Taking a stroll along the bank of the Wörthersee on a gorgeous summer day.
Dad, cut it out with the bunny ears!
Is that mom under her parasol?  -- loddy da!  Come vacation at the hotel Krenn.
The lazy loungers -- grandpa and Emily.
This is for you Karen -- yes, this is the pool.  Wanna come join?
More of Mom and Dad in Austria coming soon . . .