We chose to stay at the "Smart Hotel" in Dorfgastein, partly because it was very nice and also because it was very inexpensive. Little did we know, that its decor would match Mary Ellen so well. We have loved staying in this comfortable hotel with a wraparound balcony which gives us incredible views.
Our hotel in Dorfgastein. The owners are very "smart" as their reasonable pricing ensures that their hotel is full. Across the street, another hotel was twice the price.
The well cared for homes and barns add to the special charm of riding here. We have seen many barns with antique tolls, etc mounted on the barn for decoration. This one was very nice.
We watched this farmer high up on the hill herding his cattle as he moved his fences to get them to feed in a new area. This cow needed more encouragement. Everything about this farm was built on a vertical landscape. These farmers must have good cardiovascular health and strong legs.
Part of our ride today is on a busy road which can be quite narrow and winds down through a spectaclular gorge. At times the cliffs go straight up beside us on either side of the road. Here the bikes get their own tunnel.
What a surprise! We met a group of Canadians riding from Munich to Venice over a 2 week period. Their tour is with the CCCTS (Cross Canada Cycling Touring Society) and these men are from Victoria and Vancouver. What a small world, especially as one of their riders is from Saturna Island, a small island which is part of the Gulf Islands where we live.
We are stopping in Werfen for the night. Once again, we are finding that we need to stop early as it gets very cold. We have a spectacular view from our roon of the castle and the mountains. Could it get any better?
