Wachau Valley
A Foggy Morning in the Wachau Valley
It was foggy the morning we slowly sailed through the Wachau Valley. Our first misty glimpse of vineyards, a riverside village, and a church welcomed us into the valley.
We moved quietly through the Wachau Valley, passing vineyards, small villages, and church towers that appeared and faded in the mist. It was cold and windy on the sun deck but that was where the best view was.
As we moved further along the river toward Krems, it looked as though snow was settling on the tops of the hills. It was cold, foggy, and damp, with a thin veil of mist in the air. It was time to head inside where it was warmer.
During lunch, the ship passed through the last of the sixteen locks that are on the Danube between Regensburg and Budapest. The others were traveled through at night, so this was our chance to see a lock in action.
The afternoon stayed cold and gray, so we spent most of it inside, watching the river drift past the windows. The landscape shifted quietly as we moved through the valley.
Melk Abbey, founded in 1089, came briefly into view. For a moment we were able to enjoy its demanding presence.
Schloss Schönbühel, built in the early 1100s, stood high above the river. Even in the gray light it was impressive.
We saw more towns and more churches with vineyards rising behind them. There was even a barn larger than the house beside it. We watched the scenery drift by until we reached Krems. There we left the ship to explore inland.
