above: from our friend's Chalet
We left for Kirchdorf, Austria in the region of Tirol on January 2, 2010. What was supposed to be only a 5 hour drive, ended up being...11 hours!!! This would be why:
above: traffic on our way to Austria 1/2/2010
So, for those of you familiar with California traffic, it was just like being on the 91. The Italians were even using the emergency lane! Oh my pet peeve! It seems that St. Michele isn't just known for their wine, but also for their skiing. We were following friends of ours and luckily we had brought our 2 way radios. There was a lot of back and forth going on. I was glad that Brian had an outlet since he did ALL of the driving. He joked back and forth with friends of ours while the kids and I either complained or slept. =)
Once we made it to what would be our home for the week, we unloaded the car and headed out to dinner. And, here we are, finally out of Italy, and guess what we have for dinner...Italian food! Hey...it was either that or Peanut Butter and Jelly, and well, beer doesn't go that great with PB&J. And, after our drive from hell, we deserved a beer...or two or three.
Sunday found us up bright and early getting all of our Ski and Snowboarding gear. The kids started 5 days of lessons and the adults headed to Steinplatte for a day of "fun" in the snow. The Juliao's, Kim and Brian have all been skiing or snowboarding more than once in their life. I figured, since I'd been snowboarding once (about 12 years ago), I would go that route. I mean, how hard could it be. In my world, I figured it would be just like riding a bike. HA HA HA HA HA!!! It took me 4 hours to go down ONE run. I spent pretty much that entire time on my butt. And, towards the end of the run, on one side of the slope was a cliff, I decided it would be much safer if I walked, so, that is exactly what I did. And anyone who knows my Aunt Deb or my daughter, know that we are all related and very bad things could have happened should I have attempted to snowboard down that small part. The only good part of that day was when I finally made it almost to the bottom and we had lunch and this fabulous restaurant. I experienced my first cup of Gluhwein (pronounced: glue vine). It is a warm cup of German Mulled Wine. Which for those of you that don't know, is heaven after a day of laying in the snow.
Monday, I decided to stay behind and take Ski lessons. I officially "hung up my Snowboarding boots" and decided to take 3 days of lessons. I'm sure Brian was quite happy with my decision, since he would actually be able to go have fun with friends and not be stuck picking me up out of the snow. I have to say skiing is more my comfort level. I really enjoyed it. I only fell one time and didn't even hurt myself. The kids enjoyed their day with their instructors and so all around, it was a success. That evening we went to a local restaurant in St. Johann and had a "knee slapping good time". We watched traditional Austrian/German dance and listened to authentic yodeling. Brian even partook in the festivities with our friend "Mo". A good time was had by all. Well, all of the adults. It was a late night and the kids were worn out. They were troopers though, and 3 out of 4 of them lasted the whole night (barely).
above: Brian and Mo after their "dance" lesson
above: dancers
above: video of Brian learning how to dance
(taken by Kyleigh)
On Tuesday, we were really excited to enjoy a night out (after skiing/snowboarding all day) to go see some ski races. We went to St. Johann to watch the Ski Cross World Cup. An American came in 2nd! WAY TO GO, USA! Here is a link:tp://daronrahlves.loopd.com/members/daronrahlves/Blog.aspx?resourceId=01a2282c-2ff1-41f8-acdd-7a97313a1b4f. Looks like we might be seeing him on the slopes in Vancouver next month for the Winter Olympics. I'm sure he'll make us proud! Here are some pics Brian took of our night there. Although, this isn't of Daron Rahlves, the pictures are phenomenal!
above: Ski Cross World Cup 1/5/10.
above: The Juliao's and I enjoying our Gluhwein
above: the "blur is a racer flying off of the jump
Wednesday took us out on the slopes again. The kids and I took our ski lessons while the others headed out for a day on yet another mountain. We all did great, but I took my worst fall of the week getting off of the t-bar. I pulled a muscle and thought that was going to be it for me. I managed to walk over and get my skis on and head down the mountain for lunch. After a beer and a couple cups of hot chocolate with rum, I wasn't hurting as bad and headed back up with the rest of my class. We did some serious tobogganing. They took us up 2km and let us go. We were able to do it twice, and even my daredevil, Kyleigh was a little scared the first time. I have to admit, this would be illegal in the U.S. in so many ways! It was well worth it and something that we can honestly say we will never be able to do again. Unless of course, we head back to Austria.
above: the group getting ready to head down
the hill for the 2nd time.
Again, we hit first time. I have to admit, this would be illegal in the U.S. in so many ways! Thursday was our "last day" to really hit the slopes. So, I ventured back out to the place where it all started...Steinplatte. I was determined to make it down the slope that I walked down the very first day. I was determined to ski down the mountain, and, guess what...I DID IT! Granted, I snowplowed down the part that has a cliff on the one side, but, I still made it down on the skis! And, it took me less than 10 mins! I felt quite accomplished I must tell you. The "easy" slopes in Austria are intermediate/borderline advanced in the states, and I made it down. That night, the kids and ski instructors had a ski show for us. Kyleigh and Christopher both participated and it was so neat to watch. They really do enjoy skiing and snowboarding. What can I say, my kids are quite the athletes, just look at them...
above: Ky skiing holding the Switzerland flag
above: Christopher holding the Austria flag
above: my instructor "Seppy" skiing down on
one ski! GO SEPPY!!!
above: a ski instructor on stilts!
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