On the way to Salzburg.... Melk Benedictine Abbey; Melk, Austria

SO, for any of you who might be wondering, I am NOT still on the road with my mom! Things have been a little crazy since she left to go back home including two "moves" in less than 2 weeks. I am just being able to have enough internet access to upload and post these pictures in one sitting. 

And here we are: The restaurant and garden area right outside of the Abbey which you will soon see!  But I liked the inside of this house... :)

Because of this!

Weird.

Inside the Abbey Museum, this Cross is hundreds of years old and this is the original wood and coloring; a sobering picture.

Today's Baroque Abbey was built in the early 16th century. You can see the Baroque style in all of the ornate architecture and painting. Its fame and academic structure kept it safe from seizure during that time when other Abbeys were seized and shut down.

Oh that is SO Baroque...

One of the courtyards:

Main courtyard-entrance:

This room (as seen in the pictures above also) was used for entertainment. There was a structure, I wish I had taken a picture of, that was in the middle of the floor which provided heating for the lovely hall- for entertainment and parties. I love these windows!

Love this as well; also Baroque style!

And the journey continues......

Wien- Day 3 of the road trip

VIENNA!

St. Stephen's Cathedral

 

These pictures are totally in the wrong order, but here we are at the end of the day going backwards. After the concert I had the privilege of playing this old instrument:

Mom and I at the concert!

 The Boesendorfer.

 St. Stephens...

Apparently you are supposed to lock these doors in order for them to NOT be transparent. I never thought far enough to lock them, just used the bathroom in sheer disbelief that someone could see right through my door as I went. WOW. One of our many laughs

Carriage Ride with Mom

St. Stephensplatz

SNACKTIME

After walking the extremely claustrophobic stairwell to the top of St. Stephens

 The top.

 Snacktime. Many of these such breaks were taken throughout the trip. Vienna might have had the most coffee stops though... AND shops..This window was perfect.

And this was the start of our day...! More to come!

Part 1 of the Road trip with mom! (first 2 days)

 We drive about 5 or 6 hours in pouring down rain and steady traffic through Germany into Bavaria and this is our first sight of the "baby" Ludwig Castle.

 We caught the last tour of baby castle and decided to spend the night after finding out that this big daddy behind us was booked for the remainder of the day. So, the glories of renting a car: flexibility on a trip. Cancle Munich and hang out in Neuschwanstein. You guys should all check it out. "Crazy" King Ludwig of Bavaria's vacation homes.

 Ludwig actually died before the inner completion of this castle. He only lived here for a total of 170 days, i believe before dying mysteriously the day after he was declared insane. 

**Google King Ludwig II**

 HOTT (minus the cigarettes)

 View from the big palace...

 What I would do for even half of this kitchen. The kitchen was never even used.

 Yes, we love fluffy things! (the purses for Vaughan's kids)... Yes Vaugha, we got Gabie a purse. heehee

 Glory to glory.

Dachau.

Never forget....

 

 Not even 70 years ago (yes in THIS century) Millions of Jews and  minority people groups were made to stand in masses in this courtyard to be counted, humiliated, and exterminated. Sadly there were hundreds just like it over Europe at the time...

 "Arbeit mach frei"

"Work makes you free"

right.

 On the road again! 

(in the hot rental car which you will see later!)