Taking the Kids: When you can't let it rain on your parade
We had started that morning's rainy ride in Durnstein -- a picture-perfect town with narrow cobbled streets and a famous history -- where our AmaWaterways riverboat AmaStella had docked on the Danube River. It is here Richard the Lionhearted was held captive in 1192 during the third Crusade. The ruins of the castle can still be seen at the top of the hill; the town is also famous for its blue steeple.
Last year, we came here to hike on the famous Wachau World Heritage Trail through 13 towns. We got rained out and didn't hike -- the experts advised that the trails were too muddy -- so we visited wineries instead. This region is famous for its wine.
This time the rain didn't stop us from our plan -- riding nearly 40 miles, with a stop in Melk for a look at the famous Melk Abbey situated above the town and overlooking the Wachau Valley. Founded in 1089, the abbey quickly became famous for its extensive library and was a major site for the production of manuscripts.
"It's refreshing to bike in the rain," said Jenna Froland, 21, here with her parents and twin brother Henry. "I love seeing the clouds over the hills. It's magical."
That's one way to look at it! It's always good to have a Plan B -- and C -- in case you are forced inside by lightning or your kids are really young. Is it time to teach the kids a new card game? Watch a movie in the condo or hotel? Or perhaps head to a movie theater or let the teens sleep in as long as they like? Skip the planned picnic for a restaurant lunch and allow the kids to order special desserts.
We did. The region's famous dessert is the Marillenknoedl, an apricot dumplings made with whole fruit wrapped in dough and poached before being breaded, browned and then sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Truthfully, we could have opted out of the rainy afternoon ride, but no one did. No one wanted to give up the potential bragging rights. Besides, we're already muddy and wet. What does it matter if we stay wet a little longer?
And it was so pretty as we biked along the trails back to our boat. (There was no traffic to worry about, though we did have to dodge frogs and slugs crossing the path in the rain -- even a snake!)
We saluted our fortitude at the end of the ride with region-appropriate treats provided by our Backroads leaders -- apricot brandy and juice, chocolate-covered apricots, apricot gummies and salted apricot kernels.
Sure we got some funny looks from the other passengers, all cozy and dry. But we got plenty stories to tell when we got home.
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