The Water Forest

Austria is one of the many Catholic countries in Europe that celebrates Whit Monday. To the average Viennese, all this means is that we get another 3-day weekend in June to enjoy. As for us, we spent 2 of the 3 days with friends soaking up the start of summer in the city's Lobau region.

The Lobau (or "water forest") is 1/3 of the Donau-Auen National Park which stretches from Vienna to Bratislava and is one of the last remaining protected wetland areas in Europe. It's a huge recreation area (2,300 hectacres) with a massive network of hiking and cycling paths. If we had not been riding with a pro, we certainly would have been lost within the first 10 minutes of the park. We made it out this time unscathed. Perhaps next time we'll lose ourselves.

DAY 1

Our cycling path (we covered 26 miles total)

Rehydrating

Riding through an open field

Stopping for a proper refueling break at a conveniently located Gasthaus in the Lobau.

Crossing over the Danube River back into Vienna. We biked right over a watering skiing competition. The speed boats were going at least 60 mph. It was pretty amazing to witness the professional skiers holding on.

On the last stretch home

DAY 2

This time, we drove to the Lobau and then walked a short distance into the park in search of a nice picnic spot.

Here we enjoyed a little Mittagsessen. . .

. . . a little Bommerang. . .

. . . a little schlafen. . .

. . . a little Frisbee spielen. . .
. . . and a little Fußball spielen. . .

Then the holiday weekend came to a close and we headed home to prepare for the work week.