The Hills Were Alive With the Sound of Students

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This past weekend we visited the Austrian Alps, about an hour and a half outside of Vienna. We spent two nights in the Schwarzwaldeckhaus, an old hiker’s hotel that now belongs to the Churches of Christ in Austria and Germany. It sits on top of a mountain, and when we arrived (on Friday) it was completely shrouded in fog. As we hiked to the top we passed through several meadows, and we kept track of cows by listening to their bells!
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Schwarzwaldeckhaus in the mist.
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Unfortunately, the fog didn’t clear until Saturday afternoon, but we found the Haus to be a cozy and enjoyable place. Barbara spent a lot of time (including her birthday) in the kitchen, and she used a wood-burning stove. We had electricity, but we didn’t have hot water, and we definitely didn’t have any television or Internet!
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There are scarcely any level places on the mountain – the descents were treacherous and the ascents were exhausting. Keith and the girls did lots of hiking, and they definitely got a workout. Barbara had fewer chances to explore, but she joined the action on Saturday evening. It was especially enjoyable when the fog disappeared and we were able to see the panorama!

Barbara, Keith, and Caroline take a rest on the edge of a cliff.

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Sunday morning was clear, and the view was stunning. We held a communion service on the south porch, and the singing was absolutely beautiful. Several hikers came by, and they stopped to listen – before too long, though, Keith stood up and started talking, and the hikers decided to leave.

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A look out our kitchen window (photo by Caroline)

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Our group was tired (and slightly smelly) by the time we left, but it was a remarkable weekend, and it was truly a “retreat!”

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