alexandriacardinals

April 25

[So, we’re in Melk, Austria.  Even as a degreed geography major, I have to admit until this trip I’d never heard of it.  And I don’t know if it’s just a family thing or our interpretation of the Minnesota accent, but when we say I’d like a nice glass of milk, we say, “I’d like a nice glass of milk, that’s M-E-L-K!”  Here we’re on the bus to see what Melk is ‘famous’ for, it’s Benedictine Abbey.]

[Pretty town on the drive through . . . ]

[And here we’re tumbling down to the abbey.]

[It turns out to be quite the 900-year old place.]

[And Pam grabs a photo-op accordingly.]

[Here our concierge, Mirjana, brings our plane in for a 3-point landing.]

[Our guide is telling us that even at its peak, this huge abbey only housed a small number of monks, and today it’s about half that (13?).  With diminishing church attendance across Europe, there is difficulty attracting people to the priesthood – he noted his local parish hasn’t had a permanent priest in over 20 years.]

[It’s a place of historical splendor and is maintained by donation and tour groups like ours.]

[Never pass up an opportunity for a mirrored-selfie . . . particularly when you’re surrounded by mirrors!]

[What do you think of this outfit?]

[Was this an extravagant lock?  Dr. Kiehne, the engineer, was otherwise engaged.]

[A model of how the monastery looms over the city.]

[And then came our biggest snow squall of the entire trip!]

[A frescoed ceiling.]

[And it’s really coming down now!]

[And then we worked our way down a long spiral staircase.]

[I believe it was right before the stairwell that we went through the library containing about 80,000 medieval manuscripts.  It was indeed a strikingly impressive room.  No photos were allowed, though I don’t know why – there are plenty like the following available on the internet.]

[I have no idea.]

[The abbey church was quite spectacular.  There is a tie between this place and our very own St. John’s of Collegeville – their common Benedictine-ness.]

[Oy, whaddya think of this place?]

[As we exited the church, we were momentarily outside before we were ushered back in at the gift shop.  In our collective rushes for a restroom, most people missed this (and if you entered the gift shop, you couldn’t get back out to here) – a courtyard with a spectacular view.]

[I called Tom over to provide perspective to what turned out to be my favorite photo of the entire trip.  As we were just coming out of the snow squall, I would have loved to stay here for a while to shoot the ever changing distant sky.]

[And the restrooms were somewhere down these impressively long hallways.]

[The abbey was our only place of visit in Melk, but on our way back to the boat I caught Violeta shooting the high-water flood markings on this restaurant.]

[And going down to the boat . . . ]

[Where it was party time!]

[Well, actually it was a Viking Explorer Society cocktail party – for those who had taken other Viking cruises.]

[Here’s Katya, our boat’s hotel manager (German, and a real hoot), and our captain, with our new friends from the trip, Gerry and Anita.]

[Sampling her Norwegian-heritage national beverage – aquavit.  As she has noted, it’s not the real thing unless it has crossed the equator at least three times.  And as I’ve previously noted, it can also be used as jet fuel.]

[John admires the view from the window as we all await dinner.]

[And shipboard’s daily weather briefing for our next four days.]

There is no happiness for the person who does not travel. For Indra is the friend of the traveler, therefore wander!  ~ Brähmann

Up Next:  So, as you can see above, next stop – Passau.

The events on this page took place almost two months ago.  Proving once again that the most time-consuming aspect of any vacation is the subsequent reporting thereof.  Today is June 19 – the Minneapolis StarTribune travel section contained a long story on cruising the Rhine River with Viking.  We got away just in time . . .

April 25

[We are cruising from Vienna to Melk.  While we do so, let’s visit our boat, the Embla.  This is the view from the 3rd deck atrium, sitting at the common computers.  Our room was in the basement, two decks below this.]

[Looking down on deck two – the lobby.]

[This is the Super, sitting in . . . the lobby.  Probably posting on FB.]

[The other side of the third deck atrium from where I’m sitting at the computers.  This is the library – loaded with all kinds of info about Europe and places on our trip.  The Super put this place to good use.]

[I’m looking down passageways (on both the left and right) toward the front of the ship (or in naval parlance: the front of the ship) where we spent most of our shipboard time – in either the indoor lounge or the outdoor lounge.  You could say we did a lot of “lounging.”]

[There’s the painting of Embla again.  As I recall, she was either a Norwegian queen or a krumkake princess?]

[Now our program director, Violeta, has advised to be on the lookout for castles.  They will appear everywhere there is an area high point.  This is the Wachau Valley, from here to Melk. It’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, “an outstanding example of riverine landscape.”]

[Pretty day for a cruise and passing by small towns along the way.]

[Looking aft (a nautical term) at where we’ve been and checking on our “driver.”]

[And progressives that we are – looking forward again.]

[Ahoy, castle ahead!]

[Still a chilly day.  So, when the spirit moved, we’d go outside for a photo op.  If the spirit didn’t move, we’d just shoot through glass.]

[The Super demonstrates the art of river cruising. Wake early, while still a chill in the air, shoot some castle photos and then hunker down to watch the world go by. Occasionally look back to see where you’ve been and to make sure someone is still at the helm.]

[As we steam through, it appears likely this was my one and only boat ride through Durnstein, Austria.]

[Aaahh, this is nice.]

[The Embla bell . . . oh, you can see that.]

[Vertical vineyards]

[Blondel singing to Richard the Lionhearted . . . it may have been”Shelter from the Storm”?]

[More vertical vineyards]

[A fellow cruiser]

[You may occasionally run across a giant nose in someone’s yard, or, if you are an IU alum, run across at town named after a famous Hoosier swimmer.]

[Past Spitz . . . ]

[Trending toward Melk . . . ]

[Shooting from the outdoor lounge to the indoor lounge with folks on the roof.]

[Dr. Kiehne preferring the views from the inside.]

[Rescue practice – two guys could not make any progress trying to paddle against the current.]

[House on a rock?  Is this Wisconsin?]

[Our first sighting of the Benedictine Abbey at Melk . . . ]

[Melk, we are here!]

I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented…. I forgot where I was going with this.  ~  Anon

Up Next:  Part II in Melk

*Originally to be entitled “A Pretty Good Weekend” . . . then Orlando happened.

June 5 (OK, the previous weekend)

[Josie . . . there are no substitutes!]

June 9

[OK, no photographic evidence of the Salty Dogs at SAWA on this night (because we would have some two days later).  But their fan club did arrive late and took this selfie.]

[After, being a bit tired, the Super and I went home for a nice game of cards . . . ]

Somewhat earlier that day . . .

[The Cardinals were at the state tournament for the first time since 1995.  They drew the No. 1-ranked team in class AAA in the first round- Mankato West was 23 – 1 (or was it 24 – 1?) for the season and their star pitcher was 20 – 0.  West scored 3 runs in the first inning – they only had one more runner reach base the rest of the game.  The Cardinals lost 3 – 2, but they out played and out hit the No. 1 team.  The Cards came back that afternoon and beat Mahtomedi 8 – 4 in the consolation bracket.  (The photos are the from Echo Press – the team photo from section championship last week, the next day was the last day of school.)]

June 10

Music always sounds better on Friday.  ~  Lou Brutus

[Forecast for the day: Temperature in mid-90’s; severe thunderstorm watch over the entire state; pollution alert over the southern 2/3’s of the state because of high temperatures and little wind. Actual: Temperature 89, sunny all day, enough of a breeze to make it tolerable even for me as an elite, select group of fans withstood 4 hours outside at the winery with Anthony.  (First photo by the Super.)]

Later that day . . .

[Collective Unconscious tore the house down that evening with this (well, this video, on loan from YouTube, is from six years ago), their last encore song (2 1/2 hour concert). Their tribute show to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young drew a full house to Theatre L’Homme Dieu, the first show of the year that traditionally starts summer as all the snowbirds are home and reunite here. Terrific show . . . particularly the 2nd half!  Did you know, Crosby, Stills and Nash first performed together at Woodstock – and this was their first song?  Did you also know they only had one No. 1 hit (kinda like CCR)?  See, go to concerts, learn stuff! And all the while I’m thinking, if only our grandkids could see us now! Bunch of 70-year olds, whooping and hollering, waving our arms around like a bunch of teenagers! It completed a 6 1/2-hour live music day for the Super and me, in Vacationland USA.]

Somewhat earlier that day . . .

[The Cardinals beat Becker, 5 – 1, to win class AAA consolation bracket.  Since Mankato West went on to win the AAA championship, a case can be made that the Cards were the best team at the end of the year.  They played flawless defense all through the section and state tournaments and were a really fun team to watch play.  (Photos from Echo Press –the first of Calley Richardson crossing home plate after her first inning 3-run homer.)

June 11

[Another beautiful day at the winery – with the Salty Dogs, “Uncle Pen,” a wedding party, and hundreds of our close personal friends.]

Somewhat earlier that day . . .

[The Cardinal girls’ track team won the state class AA (the biggest schools) meet!  Bethany and Megan Hasz finished their fabulous high school careers by finishing 1st and 2nd in the 1,600 (Bethany just missed the state record by .2 seconds) leading the way.  The Cards blew away the 2nd place team by .25 points!  Great weekend for Lady Cardinals!  (Photos by Doug Hasz, who claims a relationship to the runners of the same last name.)]

June 12

[Harper’s Chord – making their first appearance in Alex since last June.  Their groupies showed up en masse, even from outside the immediate 5-county area.  Paul Drinkwine is now performing solo; so the new group makeup is Dave Lumley, Jill Moore, Micah Barrett, and Roger Fink.]

[Noted refugees from the windmills of my mind . . . ]

[As a result of unmitigated badgering from the attendees, the group played this song early on (and again when said lead attendee had to leave early)!]

[Jill (lest you were wondering)]

[I believe they call it Little Falls soul . . . ]

[Though major fans, they were not the badgering attendees.]

[I gave her a funny look when she walked out of the winery carrying a glass of wine.  Noting my expression she said, “It’s a beer for my dad.”  (We all did that, right?)  The Super reporting to Jill about her elementary-age daughter, Harper, for whom the band is named.]

[Likely the 2nd performance of “Travelin’ Soldier” as the Etniers had to leave early.]

[With everybody perusing their various media devices, we could see a storm was moving in – and thus, that’s what the band had to do.  We all acted as roadies to move them inside as fast as we could.]

[Still, with all the electronics of the modern band, the tear down and set up took at least a half an hour.]

[ . . . words to live by.]

[Turn out the lights, the party’s over . . . ]

[These are the same folks you previously saw outside.]

[Micah . . . ]

[Roger, and banjo . . .]

[The storm . . . ]

[An encore request from the hardcore fans.  This is a Roger original.  The video is from two years ago, but it’s good because it sets up its origin.]

The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend.  ~  Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters

Up Next:  Maybe Vienna?

April 24

~ Vienna

[Well, how else would begin your first morning in Vienna?]

[Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true. When will you realize… Vienna waits for you.  ~  Billy Joel]

[We’re on the bus heading for our walking tour of Austria’s famous capital city . . . ]

[It was a Sunday morning, the streets seemed deserted . . . ]

[John’s head to first focus priority as I tried to get . . . ]

[This, Wiener Riesenrad, a/k/a, the Ferris wheel.  Pam and Tom make it a “must do” to ride a Ferris wheel and carousel in every new city they visit.  So, that evening after dinner they ventured out from the boat, walked a few blocks to the closest metro stop, caught a train immediately, and were there by the 2nd stop.  They said they got a great night time view of the city from the top.  Then I think they stopped for an ice cream or gelato on the way back to the boat.  The rest of us opted not to join them – now I wish we had.]

[Vienna has a population of around 2 million.  It seems that’s the designated population of every East European capital?]

[Our tribute to Prince from afar.  While we today recognize Mozart as the true rock star of his time, Strauss. Jr. was actually considered such in his day. Here we passed his home where he penned “The Blue Danube Waltz.”]

[We’re heading to the city’s historic center for our walking tour.]

[This, and the following, is the Vienna State Opera.]

[Parliament, this and the following . . .]

[City Hall . . . ]

[Double spires of Votive church . . . ]

[A horse drawn buggy . . . may also be seen as such places as New York City’s Central Park or Alexandria’s Carlos Creek Winery . . . ]

[OK, we’re on the ground now.  The bus has dropped us at the Museum Quarter.  In other words, we’re at the place where history abounds.]

[Now heading into . . . ]

[Hofburg Palace and its grounds.  The former imperial palace in the city center and now residence and office of the President of Austria.]

[Touring the palace grounds with our tour leader, 10A!]

[“Winter in Vienna!” 39 degrees this morning . . . and continuing with the strong winds we had every day so far. But as hardy Minnesotans, we all agreed it’s better than 85!]

[St. Stephen’s Cathedral – we’ll visit there soon.]

[Archduke Charles]

[Gold coat of arms two-headed eagle with royal crown in between angels in Heldenplatz (the public space in front of the palace).]

[Emperor Francis II]

[It’s just delightfully chilly!]

[This way to the crown jewels?]

[I believe above the palace library.]

[Franz Joseph I ruled Austria for 68 years, subsequently leading to presidential term limits in the United States.]

[Emperor Joseph II in Josefsplatz, Hofburg Palace]

[Spanish Riding School, home of the famous Lipizzan stallions – we thought we saw movement in the stalls?]

[Apparently just known as a fountain at Hofburg Palace.  Sheesh, you’d think someone could name her “Eileen,” or something?]

[Heading away from the palace to the city shopping center, a/k/a, Stephansplatz.  And everyplace you dig in the Old World, you strike antiquity.]

[It must be time to shop!]

[St. Peter’s Church]

[Golden Pestsaule statue, Stephansplatz]

[St. Stephen’s Cathedral . . .]

[And entry into  – we were on our own now to fend for ourselves in the city for the rest of the afternoon.]

[The six of us decided we needed a time and place to meet up as we would surely get separated in these crowds.]

[Back outside, it must be lunchtime!  Let’s see what we can find . . .]

[It’s too bad the weather was restricting us to indoor dining.  I just remember our server here seemed to be handling the whole place all by herself – and quite well, I may add.]

[Back outside and wandering around town . . . ]

[Another “Astoria” – I never knew our old condo had such a popular name in the Old World.]

[Along the way John and Helen considered Don Giovanni at the Opera House but decided it would be a close call making it back to the boat.]

[(And tickets were readily available . . . )]

[So, the Super and Helen belted out an outdoor aria!]

[I keep hoping “they” will build something like this in Big Ole Park . . . ]

[Or maybe something like this?  I decided to go along a side street of the State Opera House, when my eyes caught sight of something totally unexpected . . .  I got close up and friendly with Supersized Pink Bunny. I found him sitting on top of a slab type structure behind the Operhouse, on the Ring side . . . I tracked down the actual original use for these humungous Leporidae.  The featured artwork used on all the billboards and poster stands throughout Vienna was [Abrecht] Dürer’s famous watercolour of the “Young Hare.” (From:  http://www.blogher.com/best-keep-secrets-austria-secret-giant-leporidae]

[John, livin’ the dream! All he wanted to do was spend some time at a couple of Vienna coffee shops!]

[We entered People’s Park, just down the street from our coffee shop.]

[Guess who?  No peeking!]

[Were you right?]

[Ready to leave People’s Park and find our way back to the boat . . . ]

[OK?]

[The Mozart Cafe . . . ]

[We might have considered a visit but crossing the street to get there seemed death- defying.]

[Yet we somehow managed to cross . . . ]

[To the tourist information bureau where the Super and Helen queried as to whether we could “get there from here?”  As I recall, we decided to take a taxi.]

[And now, back on the boat, a little something for all you gourmands out there.  And you know who you are!]

[And finally, Happy 69th Birthday, Dr. Kiehne!  It was also the birthday of the Library of Congress. Coincidence? We think not!]

Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind and I like to write standing up.  ~ Ernest Hemingway

Up Next: Father’s Day weekend?