Charging Into Austrian Skies

The best thing that came out of my time at university (beside the experience itself) are the fantastic friendships I made. I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by strong, intelligent, kind and supportive women who to this day look after each other and care deeply.

Plus, the bonus points are they are scattered all over the world (ok, mostly Europe). Which means when we want to see each other we get to travel. One of these reunions brought us to the fairy tale landscapes of Austria for a weekend hiking trip.

One of the girls is from the Salzburg area and invited us for a little adventure including a night at a traditional alpine hut. Which of course you have to first make your way up to.

With the sun shining down on us and grins on our faces we tracked ever higher; becoming more and more short of breath. However, we hardly took notice for at every turn the view became more beautiful.

There is nothing quite like the mountains to leave the world behind you entirely. I knew I had just been stressing at my office not even twelve hours before but it felt light years away the second we stepped onto the trail.

And of course, if the weather is at its best behaviour what more could you possibly ask for?

For the better half of our journey upwards we did not meet a single soul. But once we came closer to our first destination we encountered fellow mountain aficionados. They were living the life, lounging in the sun, absorbing the panorama and munging on grass. Ah, the joys of a simple life.

Finally, just when we were about to be tired and our stomachs made a few curious noises we saw our night's accommodation appear in front of us. A small, typical hut with no warm water or electricity but a magnitude of charm.

We got settled in our bunk (which wasn't for tall people) full with excitement of having made it this far. Keep in mind two out of out´r little hiking group of three are big city girls born and raised in the even planes of mid-northern Germany where hills are scarce and mountains non-existent. Being more than 200 meters above sea level is an adventure for us all on its own.

After a quick "Brotzeit" for lunch we set out to climb up even higher. Where the trail had been broad and man-made before we quickly only had beaten paths to guide us into the correct directions.

All the while our little hut got smaller and smaller in the distance.

We made new friends along the way. From a respectful distance. Don't underestimate cows when happening across them in the mountains. They should be largely used to hikers but engaging them or even antagonising them is still exceedingly dangerous.

Admittedly, the higher up we came and the more exhausted I got, the less I could be bothered to take pictures; enjoying the moment instead (and telling myself that this trip was about getting away from the daily grind anyway - a few hour digital detox was absolutely fitting).

But as everything must come to an end, we eventually climbed back down - which I often find more tricky than going up - and enjoyed the last rays of sunshine before dinner.

Dinner was a four course menu of soup, salad, dessert and in between the biggest pan of Käsespätzle which I am proud to say I finished off completely. It was absolutely perfect, although I couldn't say now whether that was due to me being famished after the day we had could have possibly made me a bit biased. Still, it was the most delicious combination of cheese, onions, herbs, and Spätzle-noodles.

We made our way outside to watch the sunset, which is where the only pictures of all of us together got taken. You can clearly see that none of us blog for a living with how often we forget to get ourselves into pictures.

Once the night had fallen, we went back inside and played card games until the wee hours of the morning. Of course while chatting and laughing all the while and updating each other on everything that went on in our lives.

Unfortunately, the next morning saw us leave early.

We slowly walked back down through the crisp morning air and took in the wonderful nature around us one last time before we had to return to civilisation.

But first, we made use of the first warm days of the year by jumping straight into the Pool at J's house.

And while slowly gliding through the turquoise water I once again realised that life certainly could be a lot worse than sunny weekends in beautiful locations with wonderful company.