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Winter Vacation (Pt. 5)

Kellin was back on his feet. We spent the morning walking along the Ziller, rode the Zillertalbahn home and ended the evening at an escape room.

Tilian and I got up early while it was still dark. I wanted to photograph the night sky, but noticed the light trails from cars at the bottom of the frame. So I shifted focus to the street and the underpass instead.

Long exposure shot of Mayrhofen before sunriseCanon Canon EOS 2000D · EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II · 55mm · ƒ/5.6 · 5/2s

After breakfast we took Aika and walked along the Ziller to the Spielplatz Auenwald. The walk took about 40 minutes, mostly flat along the river.

Kellin walking Aika on a leashSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 9mm · ƒ/4.0 · 1/400s
Colorful stone found by the ZillerSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 9mm · ƒ/3.5 · 1/200s

We found a nice stone by the Ziller that we’re taking home to set out by the Weiße Elster. Kellin picked it out, held on to it the entire way back and kept checking on it even after we got home.

Trees along the Ziller riverCanon Canon EOS 2000D · EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II · 55mm · ƒ/5.6 · 1/80s
The Ziller river currentSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 27mm · ƒ/4.0 · 1/320s
The Ziller river current between rocksSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 20mm · ƒ/4.5 · 1/400s
Building along the walk to Spielplatz AuenwaldSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 33mm · ƒ/4.0 · 1/400s

On the way back we took the Zillertalbahn. It’s a great way to get around the valley quickly, and it used to be a real highlight for Tilian when he was younger.

Zillertalbahn arriving at the stationSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 52mm · ƒ/4.5 · 1/160s
Zillertalbahn on the tracksSONY DSC-RX100M7A · 17mm · ƒ/4.0 · 1/125s

The afternoon was quiet and relaxed. We watched the Olympic Winter Games on TV, bobsled and a few other disciplines. Nadine’s parents watched the boys for the evening, so the two of us could head out on our own.

In the evening Nadine and I went to the Visorium and played their escape room “Verdammt”. Unfortunately no photos allowed and you can’t find much online. We’re both skeptical of escape rooms that rely on horror, but this one didn’t focus on any of that, no jump scares, no dark corridors. It was set in the office and control room of a pumped storage power plant and dam, all puzzles based on technical and electromechanical challenges. We both had a great time. The atmosphere felt like the HBO Chernobyl series right before the meltdown, alarms going off, dials spinning. The room is rated 4 out of 5 in difficulty for 2 to 6 players, and the two of us were sweating by the end. We finished in 63 minutes. Our host was great, thanks again! It wouldn’t make much sense to do it again, but going back with a group just to watch them struggle sounds tempting.

On the walk home we couldn’t help but stop for a few neon sign photos.


Topics: Photography, Family, Travel