By far the highest elevation in these parts, at 1,500 meters, is a mountain called the Schöckl. It's about 15 miles out of town, a popular day trip destination for Grazers who consider the Schöckl their 'Hausberg', their private mountain. One can hike up (strenuous) or ride the cable car to the top. My plan was to take the cable car, but I missed the stop and continued on in the Postbus for another two stops, about half way up the mountain. From there it was a considerable hike to the top, but nothing like the death-defying climb I made in the Tyrol over a month ago. When the weather is clear one can see for many miles, as immortalized in the Broadway hit tune: "On a Clear Day You can see Slovenia" (which you supposedly can). It wasn't quite clear enough for that, but still quite impressive. There are several restaurants and cafés on top. It is also a place for paragliders to sail off into the blue yonder (see pic).
I treated myself to the cable car ride on the way down. Unfortunately I had just missed the bus back to Graz and the next one wasn't scheduled to show up for another two hours. Not to waste a perfectly fine summer day I set off on one of the marked trails through the delightful Austrian countryside in the direction of Graz. The first town is the modest spa of Sankt Radegund. It's a Luftkurort, a spa that offers especially good air. What is special about their air is a mystery to me. After two hours I had no idea where I was, having lost my bearings completely as the roads and paths wind around through the hills. I luckily found a road and a Postbus stop. The next bus was to tootle by in an hour. Threatening clouds were moving in from the east but fortunately the rain held off until the bus came. It was a spontaneous, adventure-filled day. This was my last free day before I leave. The performances and activities come at a furious pace during our last week here in Graz.
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