Weißenstein Castle Ruins in the Snow

We got snow off and on for about four days around here. I was so dreading our first big snow since moving to Germany, but having now experienced it, the truth is...I don't hate it! I won't go so far as to say that winter is my favorite season or that I don't wish it was t-shirt and flip-flop weather though :)  I've always thought snow was beautiful, but I think snow in this setting is even more beautiful. They do a really good job of keeping the roads pretty clear, and winter tires make all the difference when driving (not that I've been doing a lot of that myself since my sweet husband has been chauffeuring us around while he's been on vacation). I've even managed to put on enough layers to keep myself relatively comfortable when we're out in it, which is no small feat considering that I'm cold-natured to begin with.

We took the opportunity to enjoy the snow yesterday when we took a short hike through the woods to go see the Weißenstein castle ruins. All we know about this castle is that it was built in 1100 and that it was almost destroyed in 1742 during the Austrian War of Succession. It was a lot of fun to explore, and the wintery backdrop made for some beautiful scenery. I took way too many pictures to post, but you can still consider yourself forewarned of picture overload below...

  

 

I wish it hadn't been so hazy, but it was still a beautiful view!

Apparently some folks who were there previously had been celebrating!

There were several locks with names on them attached to the railing at the top, but this was the cutest one.

 

 
It was a steep and slippery descent!

 

The sun peaked through the walls just as we were leaving.

Doesn't this look like two fingers??

This was a great outing, and the snow made it even better!