Dragonfly Ranch

We spent three nights in Salzburg (Friday afternoon to Monday morning, February 24-26).

The street going up the middle of the photo is the Getreidegasse, where Mozart was born.

The University Church in the foreground, the cathedral in the back (with two towers and dome), and the Franciscan Church between them. We went to Sunday mass in both the Franciscan Church and the cathedral.

The fortress on the cliff above the old city. You can just see the funicular railway in the lower left.

The fortress from a distance.

A cannon trained on the cathedral.

Fika in Salzburg. Mine (in front) is called “Mohr im Hemd” — “Moor in a shirt” (chocolate cake with ice cream and whipped cream). Arlin’s is a dumpling smothered in poppy seeds and butter.

Easter is only 6 weeks away. Do we have enough eggs?

Yes, those are giant pickles.

Our hotel (actually a combination of dormitory and guest house) was just this side of the church).

Our lodging. The plaque over the door commemorates the rebuilding after World War II bombing. This was a 16th-century building (I believe), rebuilt and reopened in 1951.

The Augustinian Church, at the end of the hill that encircles the old city. We had lunch at the cafe on the left.

City Hall (19th-century Gothic revival)

Site of the house where Beethoven died (a few blocks from our hotel)

No explanation needed

Heron in a park near where I lived for a while in 1972

Thursday, February 23 — pavilion being erected for the opera ball

Friday, February 24 — pavilion being torn down after the opera ball

The trains in Central Europe are wonderful … smooth, quiet, and lots of scenery.

… and coffee is served in china cups.

Fritz is thinking “wait a minute, how did I get up here with her”.

Sent from my iPad

The Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles Borromeo) in Vienna has scaffolding that was used in restoration work but is now open to visitors. You can take an elevator to a platform at the level of the drum that supports the dome, and then you can walk up steps (if you dare) right up into the cupola on top of the dome. Along the way you can see close-up the dome paintings that you ordinarily would have to view from 150 feet below. When you get to the cupola you find the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove that looks as if it’s about to sink its claws into you.

The church itself is amazing. It was built in the early 18th century by order of Emperor Charles VI after Vienna had survived a plague epidemic. It’s dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo, who was famous for his work among plague victims in 16th-century Milan.

Is the angel calling a cab, or just waving at someone on the plaza below?

When will San Francisco catch up?

we don’t try to go to Yosemite this time of year.

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad