FINAL REPORT FOR THE EUROPEAN TRIP, or “I‘VE NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN, BUT I'VE BEEN TO ………”
In March, 36 members of the Chattanooga Ski Club took off for a 12 day excursion to parts of Austria and Spain with hearts full of anticipation and the lingering smell of wine on our breaths from the flight across the pond.
After leaving Munich by bus, we made contact with our trip director, Ina Gerlach of Alpine Adventures, and proceeded to the German town of Lindau for lunch. Lindau is located near the meeting point of the Austrian, German, and Swiss borders and is nestled on the massive Lake Constance. While having the most delightful lunch, we caught a quick look at the quaint sleepy buildings and unique harbor entrance to the city, and found out many portions of the town were built somewhere in the 9th century.
From Lindau, we went to Schruns, Austria. Schruns is a small and beautiful Austrian town and we unpacked our bags at the town’s five star hotel, The Lȍwen. Interestingly, the Libherr Crane Company, which is a thriving family business of crane manufacturing started in Germany and is known internationally, has a plant right in Schruns. Libherr always has company hotel next to the business, which in this case was The Lȍwen, fashioned in the most up to date European new wave chic. The cost of our room, without the club discount, would have been more than what two people would have paid for the entire trip. Add six course dinners every night; day trips to Innsbruck, St. Anton, Liechtenstein, and Alpenzell, Switzerland; and throw in a spa that was full of naked good looking men and you had the makings for a hot time in the old town for a week.
Then on to Zurich and Spain, specifically Barcelona. Barcelona has a charm and a spirit that is more than can be expressed in words. Good wine, tapas for lunch and dinner by just walking down the street, and the Gaudi buildings, especially Sagrada Familia church that I will never forget. I constantly had my mouth open for food or because of sheer awe of the city’s beauty.
Then off to Madrid, the capital, and it is safe to say that it must be one of the cleanest cities in the world. Museums, more tapas, more wine, and it was back to the states with the smell not of wine but of a good time in Spain on our breaths.
Special thanks to Pat Ownby, Ina Gerlach, and Jim Mullinax for making the trip such a success.
Another Chattanooga Ski Club event that will be difficult to forget.
Past President,
Ashley Ownby
