Fall is in full force here in Linz. Color is everywhere and the temperature is invigorating. A friend and I took the invitation of a beautiful day and hiked up to Postingberg. I now understand why they call it the pilgrim church! But it was nice to get some fresh air and sunshine, not to mention enjoy the artwork displayed on every tree.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

Well, I didn't intend to do a study of paths, but it certainly looks like I have. They are such an integral part of our lives, both literally and metaphorically. Even if we venture off the 'beaten path' we will probably be following a deer trail or blazing our own that someone else will use. If you don't know where the path is leading, don't stress it. There's a text about the Bible being a light for the path, and they didn't have halogen, rechargeable-battery flashlights at that time. A lamp in the dark certainly wouldn't have illuminated more than a few feet in front. So all that is required is to keep moving. Makes the journey much less intimidating and also gives you a chance to enjoy what is passing instead of being so glued to the goal that you don't even realize there are beautiful and inspiring things alongside the path. And ultimately, may the footprints that we leave inspire those behind us to continue, one step at a time.

Ever start up a path not knowing where it will end?

Walking along the Danube are many rose bushes showing off for as long as possible before they have to go into hiding for winter. If you look closely you can see the dew still on the pedals.

Climb every mountain, ford every stream

Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream

- Rodgers and Hammerstein

This photo was taken as I explored a new part of Linz, near the castle. I found some new angles of the cathedrals, but the haze sort of obscured the view. There was the advantage of seeing things in a new way.

This morning I arose a bit earlier than usual and hiked up to the castle for a concert. It was certainly worth the effort. La Divina Armonia making music by JS and CPE Bach. Today there was more fog than I've seen since I've been here, so it was almost like walking in another world. It was a very nice fall day to be out.

Ever feel like just laying down on the soft grass on a warm fall evening? It was a very nice night to be out in Linz last night. And I had a couple questions running through my mind. If you have any insights feel free to share. What is loneliness? What is longing? Are they based on fact or emotion or what? Do they deserve to be listened to or told where their place is?

Today in my lesson my teacher was talking about how basically all music is some type of religious experience and that how when we are playing we need to be thinking about lifting our thoughts and our music towards God. I thought this picture represented this idea in a unique way.

Autumn is in the air.

Nürnberg from on high. It might take a little effort, but the difference in perspective from the top is worth the hard work.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

- John Quincy Adams

This evening I went to a concert. Bach, Telemann, period instruments, L'Orfeo Barockorchester, all taking place in an old castle. I was sitting there imagining what it might be like to be dressed like the people on the tapestries along the wall and hearing the 'new' pieces of the evening. It's very easy to think about the glamorous side of living in a fortress on a hill surrounded by a moat with a view of the surrounding area. But I stopped in the room containing weapons from over the centuries, and there is nothing glamorous about their survival. The thing that stood out to me was that even among the cruel struggle for existence the people were able to take time for a true appreciation of beauty on so many levels. Music, art, fashion... Maybe that should say something to us.

St. Sebald, a Lutheran church in Nürnberg. It was partially destroyed during the war but they repaired it and it is still in use today. Lutheran churches are a bit more simple than the Catholic, but they are still quite grand.

Ah, back in Europe. Have I mentioned it's just beautiful here? I mean, you can find beauty anywhere, but there is just something about traveling along among the gently rolling hills with the Alps in the distance and quaint villages and church spires dotting the hillside that I can't explain. This weekend I went with a group of friends from Linz to Germany to attend a youth event. Then on the way back we stopped and I got to be a tourist in Nürnberg. This city has everything you could ever want, from a fortress atop the hill to beautiful bridges crossing over a small river meandering through town. I didn't want to leave and kept begging for just a few more minutes to explore to which one friend retorted, "yes, we must please the American". But I think we all had a good time and it was a perfect day to be a tourist.

Twice a year there is a special occasion in Linz. The Urfahranermarkt. For a whole week you can ride all sorts of rides and listen to live music while drinking and eating from all sorts of food stands. And then if you have money left over you can buy just about anything from the sellers along the way. It's a festive atmosphere and someone said it's the largest of such an event in all Austria. But perhaps my favorite part is the fireworks display. I love fireworks and I've seen many displays over the years, and so therefore I think I'm qualified to say that these are pretty good. I took this picture from the top floor of my building. Maybe next time I'll be better prepared to photograph fireworks.