Lech am Arlberg is a mountain village and an exclusive ski resort in the Bludenz district in the westernmost Austrian state of Vorarlberg, on the banks of the river Lech. Lech was settled and founded in the first half of the 14th century by Walser migrants from the canton of Wallis in Switzerland. Until the nineteenth century, it was known as "Tannberg". Subsequently, the full name "Tannberg am Lech" gave rise to the present name "Lech".The church of St Nicholas, which is thought to have been built around 1390, was the parish church of the Tannberg administrative district, and there was also a Tannberg district court in Lech until the dissolution of the Tannberg district in 1806.In recent decades, the once small town has developed into a flourishing community, thanks to the influence of winter tourism and, increasingly, by summer tourism.
I was walking along the other day when I ran into some cows. They are enormous and docile, with a reputation for being dim witted. Occasionally they can be protective of their babies when dogs are on the trail, and once on the Kriegrhorn one of them took a shine to Rainer and almost knocked him over trying to cuddle; but they are harmless. On this last walk I stopped to talk to one and was telling her how sorry I was about all the burgers and how she was such a good girl, when my SIRI went on and said "Thank you!".
The whole code red for the planet is making me nervous and sad as I wander the hills. When I was young, I would not have appreciated the appeal of a rushing river, but now I stop and gaze almost every time. If I am hot, I wash my face and cool my feet in it; if I am tired, I sit and watch. I always wish I could show you guys how lovely it is, but nothing really photographs as well as it should. I will post a video and photos tomorrow.
There is a waiter here who is so good Luis noticed him at an event, and we all think he should switch teams and play for the Almhof . That is how in deep we are ...we are now recruiting for the Schneiders. He knows every thing you want your waiter to know about you; and is discreet about the rest. If you and your husband share one raw egg with four spoons at breakfast after praying to the sunflower God, he has no opinions.
But if, like us, you want tabs on your elderly parents' caloric intake, he is your man. When we came looking for them on the lunch terrace he came up to us and simply said: "Toasted ham and cheese for both." Best of all, he makes funny comments on our orders sort of like Pop used to when he called us "short hitters". I asked for the salad and then the main course only (the daily menu has five courses on offer- you can have all or none). And he responded: "So you will have a salad and then a long, slow, expanse of nothingness until the veal, yes? He is going in my pocket when we leave. (If only I could fit a cow in too).
I have learned at this advanced age that my steps when hiking are too big, and this makes me unnecessarily tired. Thomas explained this (a little late in the game in my opinion) on a really steep part and had me follow him for a while in these little Minnie Mouse steps. I wonder if this is the way one climbs Everest.
The word for ice cream and the word for ice are the same in German. This shows how little regard the German people have for either.
This year the town is filled with beautiful dogs that lie under the table at restaurants. We can't get over how well behaved they are and how our own dog would not, shall we say, fit in. We haven't even heard one bark. (Thomas says he thinks he heard one barking at the Berghof, but it was shot.)
Our two Hs (Henry and Hanna) have made a big splash on the local scene. Daily they can be found at the golf course or tennis courts or on a scenic hike, or a local party, or most exclusive of all- with Luis S inside the Almhof which is of course not open. (Luis is tucked away for the summer in a comfy three bedroom suite). It's like night at the museum where one can stroll the halls at leisure when all the guests are gone, but this museum has an indoor pool and a two story wine cellar.
I asked Thomas when during this summer was he happiest, and he said running downhill after a long slog up the other day. It doesn't sound like much, but it is empty brain, full heart, laughing legs; pure joy in the palm of your hand.
