Austria II, Italy and Switzerland I

Although showers were predicted for this day, we managed to skirt any showers that occurred. So we remain with the roof down, and bundled up at times and shedding clothes at other times.  Driving through the Austrian Krimmi Valley, we skipped the paid parking and paid fee to see “one of the biggest waterfalls in the world” (remember we have Yosemite). This falls has been commercialized so much, with restaurants, junque, and as above, a cost to park and visit the falls. Our photo are from a free distance.

Lunch was again at McDonalds, where we ran in to John and Gail (Americans) , and later Liz and Dave (British) stopped as we were leaving.  A lot of fun is made of us for stopping at McDonald’s, but we can get a quick lunch, reliable taste for a reasonable price.  Everything is super expensive in Europe, food and liquor and petrol.

Visiting the Swarovski Crystal World was on the agenda for the day, but based on Trip Advisor comments, we decided to skip it and instead visit Innsbruck. However, Innsbruck is a very large city, so we drove through it and continued on our way, ticking Innsbruck off our list of things to ever do.

We arrived not terribly early at the very old Post Hotel in Imst, Austria where we enjoyed a glass of Austrian wine, then headed out for an Italian dinner with the group. It was nice to have a lighter dinner that took only two hours.

8 of the 11 cars on the trip

Post Hotel, Imst, Austria

Saturday was the “Pass” day with us crossing   5 passes, and having breakfast in Austria, lunch in Italy and dinner in Switzerland.  We managed to leave the hotel by 9 AM and the day was already becoming lovely and warm. It was about 60 miles before we started the Stelvio Pass run, going over the Reschenpass first.

We had been warned that Stelvio Pass would be extremely busy on a Saturday, be very careful of bicyclist’s and motorbikes and other cars as we ascended and descended this famous pass.

As we started up the pass, we were surprised that there were few cars coming down the pass, although every turn I had to turn around and look up to be sure no one was coming.

Looking down Stelvio Pass

We stopped for Liz and Dave who were stuck by the wayside about ½ way up the pass , engine boiled over, waiting for Joe and Dan in the van to assist them.  After being assured they were okay, we traveled onward. As we almost reached the top, we heard that the pass was closed down the other side for a Bike Race until 2 PM. It was about 11:30.  So we had the choice to turn around and go the valley route, or wait until 2 PM and the race over.

Waiting at the summit

Elaine at the Stelvio Pass Summit

We chose to have a bite to eat, and wait it out. It was an uncontrolled  mad house at the summit, no one directing anything. 

But we survived and enjoyed the ride down the other side, which was very busy, with cars, bicyclists, and motorbikes all heading down and soon cars, bikes and motorbikes heading up against us. What we had expected all along for the ride over the pass.

St. Mortiz

After several more passes through the Italian and Swiss Alps (Passo del Foscagno, Passo Del Bernina and Julierpass),  

we made it to our very unique hotel in Lenzerheide, Switzerland,which was crafted out of old farm buildings (HGTV- like just think what you can make out of this abandoned farm). It is very well done and most fun to be in such a place with cows (with cow bells) and chickens and other animals around.

Hotel 

Our Building- lower right 2 windows

Our bedroom- most comfy beds

Dinner was at the hotel restaurant with the group.

Today is a “Free” day in  Lenzerheide. As the Morgan was very filthy, we headed out to find a car wash, which we managed to find 11 km away. 

After cleaning the car, we headed down the hill to Chur. We had also hoped for a laundry day, but had to settle for doing a few items in the basin and hoping they dry.

It is another beautiful day in the Swiss Alps and a pleasure to just be able to take it easy. Dinner was with new American friends, living in London, at a local restaurant at an early hour.

Cows interested in the Morgan

Morgan in the Alps