The Hills Are Alive...

I have a new favorite city! Birthplace of Mozart, the site of the Sound of Music...Salzburg is so, so beautiful.

Dad and I arrived in Salzburg last night after a slow drive through the Czech Republic, a bit of Germany, and finally Austria. European driving lesson #1: It generally takes much longer than expected to get from point A to point B. (Getting turned around a few times may have had something to do with it too...oops.) This was fine, though, because the view was gorgeous. Rolling green hills, the Alps, the occasional cow...it was the definition of idyllic. We also stopped in the city of Passau for a couple hours. I had never heard of it, but it is so beautiful!

We started the day with a run/walk through the city. After exploring for about an hour, we showered and ate, and then headed back out for a couple hours before checkout. We hiked up what felt like a mountain, and half a liter of sweat later, we had a view of the city that was literally breathtaking (or maybe I'm just out of shape). After that we drove to the Von Trapp home (from The Sound of Music). Again, so beautiful. I could spend many, many happy days in Salzburg!

In the afternoon we met up with the family my dad lived with for a couple months while studying abroad in college. They were so sweet, and they stuffed us full of apple strudel before sending us on our way.

We are in Memmingen, Germany tonight. My dad lived here for the first six years of his life in a "displaced persons" camp. It is definitely a sleepy town compared to Salzburg, but I am excited to look around tomorrow.

I am especially thankful for the beauty of God's creation right now. There are so many amazing places in the world, and I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to explore some of them. Until next time!