Climbing Mountains in Austria
After a few days in Munich, I went to Innsbruck, a small city in western Austria, on the recommendation of my friend Angie. Sitting in a valley surrounded by these majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a place of spectacular beauty. I had arrived there feeling a little depleted, but the mountains revived me. Being in the presence of something so massive and ancient is reassuring to me. Those mountains have stood witness to countless changes and they themselves have changed, but there is something essential that endures. I like to feel there there is something bigger than me that dwarfs my petty fears, hopes and dramas. Something that brings me into contact with the infinite and eternal. Mountain landscapes (as well as the ocean) have always been able to do that for me.
On my first full day there, I took a gondola up to the top of one of the peaks right near town. In just half an hour, I was transported out of city above the tree line and into a different world. The air was crisper and I could see for miles and miles. It happened to be the summer solstice that day and it felt good to be a little bit closer to the sun on the longest day of the year. There were a few short walking trails to various viewpoints and I just took my time taking it all in. If you know me you know, I love getting to the top of stuff and looking out. So this was a must for me.
I was there for about three full days and the rest of the time there I just explored the adorable town and did an easy hike. It was a great place to work and explore for a time.
