Passau to Linz, Austria

Today we left Passau on our way to Linz, Austria.  The farmlands of Germany gave way to the wood slopes of Austria.  Just after leaving we saw this wooded carving of a giant mermaid that screamed photo op. . . a kind biker snapped this photo of us on the mermaid.

The Danube flows in a valley between the Bavarian Wald (forest) and the Sauwald.  The bike path is right on the river bank and the views are stunning as you bike through the valley.

Jeanna does a good job racing ahead to jump off her bike, pull out the camera, and takes the picture!!

At the 39km mark of our ride today the path of the Danube is blocked by a granite mountain so the river makes an "s" turn!  So we had to take a small bike ferry across the Danube.  They charge 2euro for the ride!  We then stopped and had lunch overlooking the river.

Paula and I loading our bikes on the ferry

Dede, Barbara, Debra, Jeanna, and Paula enjoying the non-bike seat!!

A view of the hotel where we had lunch

Looking at the Danube

After lunch, we were greeted with some stiff headwinds and chilly, cloudy weather!  We arrived in the town of Aschach at the 65km mark of the journey.  This is where I decided to stop the ride for the day, they had warned us the night before the last part of the ride into the city was congested and the bike path was just off the highway.  I jumped into the van with my bike and headed into Linz.

Loved this little boy and his sundae. . .asked if I could take his picture while I waited for the van!

Linz is the 3rd largest city in Austria and the capital of Upper Austria.  The city has had an industrial past but now is more known for its contemporary art, music and technology scenes.

One the main streets in Linz

Cool artsy park with sling chairs and hammocks for relaxing in the middle of the city

One of the main squares where our hotel is located

Our hotel, you can see the pink dot of my bike shorts drying in the window and
someone's biking jersey drying in the next window

After a quick shower I walked through the city looking for a card reader so we could download Jeanna's photos to the computer. . .I found one so here are some people shots from the past couple days!

Me giving the thumbs up for a great trip so far!

Paula all smiles!

{As a side note. . .my decision NOT to ride into the city was a good. . .it rained briefly after they left me, wind was strong and the congestion on the bike trail was heavy PLUS you were riding against traffic!  Good decision for me}

Tomorrow we head to Grein an der Donau which is about 63km away from Linz.  On our way we will visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial Site. 

Time to go to bed to get ready for tomorrow. . . Jeanna is NOT sleeping yet which is a surprise!

Gute Nacht!