OCTOBER 11 - GMUNDEN AM TRAUNSEE

Our outing today was to Gmunden on Traunsee - about an hour through a range of mountains that we don't find particularly pretty. They reminded us of the more gray, rocky mountains of northern Italy.

Our destination was the Hois'n Wirt, which happened to be on the same road, even beyond the Grunberg we had come upon September 22, the day we were meandering in Gmunden on our way from Vienna. Ron dropped me off at the "back" entrance which was level, and I made my way to the terrace, passing quite a few "older" folks with walkers and canes.

The property was purchased by "Old Hois", the great-grandfather of the current owners over a hundred years ago. The Salzkammergut area first became populated because Emperor Franz Joseph had established a hunting lodge in nearby Bad Ischl. Other nobles, artists, musicians, and military officers came to be close.

We had looked at the menu (English version) earlier, and Ron was looking forward to rump steak with krauter (herb) butter. Reading the menu at lunch we did not see that listed, so he was quite disappointed. I looked it up on-line and we showed the waitress, and she pointed to the first item under "Classics" - Gegrillte Schnitte von der Stierbeiried. We had misinterpreted "schnitte" to mean slices, whereas it actually refers to "cut of meat". So, he was happy, and did enjoy it very much. He gave me a few bites and it was tasty. I read that Americans probably refer to rump steak as "porterhouse". 

I had chicken strips in a brandy cream sauce with dried plums, served with potato croquettes. It was also very tasty.

We had to re-trace our earlier route back to St. Wolfgang through the dreary mountain range.

We went to the Dorf Alm, an "alpine hut" in the center of St. Wolfgang, which the owner of our hotel had recommended. Thankfully, there was an elevator, as seating was on the second floor. It was a lovely day so we were able to sit out on the terrace. The "Alm" was designed to create the feeling of "peace and relaxation" one finds in the high Alp meadows.

We returned to our room and pleasant balcony overlooking the lake. A restful evening. Ron is always disparaging about these early evenings, but we aren't up to going out partying.