The last week before school at ITI resumed, we were invited by some Austrian friends to go to the mountains in the Styria region. We were very excited and thankful for yet another opportunity to explore Austria! We headed out and stopped in nearby Mariazell, which is a long-time place of Marian pilgrimage.
Gilded underlay of the organ.
This miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin is made from lime tree wood, and was brought to this location in 1157. This interior small chapel, was originally the one built by King Louis I of Hungry after a victory over the Turks in 1363.
The square adjacent to the basilica is chalk full of gift shops with religious items and Austrian keepsakes.
Papa's belated birthday gift - a Austrian hat perfect for fall and winter!
That afternoon the rain lifted, so we took the boys out for a walk around Hubertussee.
Shrine to St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters. The story goes, that one Good Friday, Hubert was hunting instead of attending church. As he pursued a magnificent stag, the deer turned, and a large cross appeared between his antlers and a voice said, "Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down into hell." Hubert immediately reformed his life, becoming a priest and later, a bishop.
We didn't hike through the canyon because thought it might be too much
for the boys with the return trip uphill. It sure looked like some
pretty scenery. 
