7/10/16 7/10/16

Highline 179 Bridge - The Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge in the World

A few days ago I shared our day at the sight of the Highline 179 Bridge and Ehrenberg Ruins. We spent so much time walking up the mountain's path enjoying nature and a story (or four) told by me to our boys about fairies and then at the actual sight of one of the ruins there; we didn't make it across the bridge.Our second day at the sight was no less exciting and terrifying - holy cow the bridge is high and long.We spent a lot less time walking up the path which is sprinkled with signs which tell of local folklore. As you can guess I totally enjoyed that aspect of our hike. However, on our second day we didn't stop to read each sign, or even muse at how green everything was, because we were a family on a mission.That mission - was to CROSS THAT BRIDGE!I can't say I was exactly thrilled with our mission - I wasn't even sure I was going to choose to accept it when I started out... but I was a willing participant none the less.I mentioned the wood carvings on my last post... say hello to Gandalf.Once up the path we decided to head straight to the other ruins located on the side of one of the entrances to the bridge.We hung out there, and let the kids run around before we decided to make the crossing.The bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. I'm not a fan of being up so high, like above the trees, an over big highway high - with nothing but some metal and wires keeping me in air. Nope, not a fan, not one little bit.It was awfully pretty though.One of my hands was on the banister at all times.... like that would've saved me in the event that sucker fell. I'm hilarious!My youngest son Evan was nervous at first, but by the middle of our wobbly walk he was fine - as for the other two, they loved it... Adrenaline junkies the lot of them.I made it. Fear conquered!The bridge crosses between two mountains.You can either cross the bridge and go back the way you came, or follow another longer route down. We opted for the longer - less traveled route, and it took us another couple of hours to get back to our car.Overall it was a great day filled with adventure.If you've not yet read about our first day, please check out this link:http://www.nicoleolea.com/highline-179-bridge-ehrenberg-day-1ruins-reutte-austria/ SaveSaveSaveSaveSave

7/8/16 7/8/16

Highline 179 Bridge & Ehrenberg Ruins, Reutte, Austria - Day 1

Over the Independence Day weekend, we took a drive to the Bavarian region of Germany. Once there we did some exploring and came across the Highline 179 Bridge. Or rather we drove beneath it and my husband was was like, "I've got to cross that bridge!" I snickered and was like, "Yeah right, I'm not going UP there." However, my husband has this great way of getting me to do things that are out of my comfort zone, so the next day we found ourselves at the little town where the bridge is located.This is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. No joke-they've got the people from the Guinness Book of World Records backing them up. Highline 179 Bridge and the Ehrenberg (i.e. castle) Ruins are located near Reutte, Austria on the Bavarian-Austrian Border.This is the view of the bridge from a parking area. Up the road we're on is a little village area with a restaurant, gift shop, museum and playground. You can also purchase your tickets for the bridge there.My son Michael and I are actually on the path. There is a big grassy meadow where wild flowers were blooming. My boys played for a bit while my husband purchased our tickets. The playground is made of wood with really cool carvings which included a water feature.The walk up to the bridge is a decent hike up the side of the mountain. It's mostly gravel, that makes for easy walking, but it's not completely smooth, so take care if you are bothered by steep walks or uneven surfaces.

My boys enjoyed exploring nature just off the path while I told them tales of faerie...

... And pointing out their dens....

Once we reached the top of the gravel walkway we rested for a few minutes on a shaded bench under a wooded area; where my husband was struck with the notion to hike up the Ehrenberg Ruins. I was not amused because, for one, I'd already mentally prepared myself to cross that darn bridge, and two, I was wearing cute pants and my Chucks that day. I was so not dressed at all for hiking up a mountain. After a whole lot of complaining by me, my husband (as I mentioned before) convinced me to (exit my comfort zone and) hike up. I'm so glad he did. It was absolutely gorgeous.

This is the view of the ruins from a lookout tower located on the mountain.

We hung out for a few hours at the ruins. Exploring them, and sitting and taking in the gorgeous panoramic views of the landscape.Rose vines grew on the sides of the ruins. They smelled so delicious!Evan is always climbing on something, this happens to be the tower I mentioned earlier.There was a tunnel that led from the castle ruins to a watch point which was used for security protection at the time it was designed. We really enjoyed exploring the ruins (there are actually two) and I'll show the rest of our exploration of the ruins and the bridge crossing which ended up being our second day there because by the time we got to the bridge we realized it was quite late, and it would soon be closing so we decided to come back the following day.You can read about our second day at the following link: Highline 179 Bridge & Ehrenberg Ruins, Reutte, Austria - Day 2http://www.nicoleolea.com/12918-2highline-179-bridge/ SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

5/26/16 5/26/16

How to Get Started with Square Foot Gardening

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

5/26/16 5/26/16

How to Save 3.5 Hours A Week with Real Plans

5/26/16 5/26/16

9 Tips to Help Balance Hormones Naturally

5/26/16 5/26/16

Get the Facts: The Benefits of Cholesterol

4/11/16 4/11/16

Cuban Ropa Veija Recipe (served over white rice)

When I think "comfort food" I think Cuban food. It's what I grew up eating, most of my favorite dishes are Cuban and with two little boys home from school requesting comfort food I knew exactly the dish to make them. Ropa Vieja is Spanish for "old clothes". It is a simple dish that is quite delectable.I use a pressure cooker to make this recipe and have always done so. I imagine you could make this in a crock pot or on the stove but you'd have to make allowances for time. If you do, try this recipe in a crock pot or on the stove please come back and let me know how it all turned out for you.Ingredients:

2 lbs Flank Steak
Water
1 whole medium onion peeled- I like the yellow or "sweet" variety.
3 bay leafs
Salt 1 pinch
Red wine suitable for drinking 2 tablespoons
1/4 - 1/2 of a red or green pepper chopped
2-3 T olive oil
3 cloves chopped garlic
1 can tomato sauce
1 tsp cocktail sauce
Spanish olives
2 T Sazon completa* (store bought or make your own - recipe to follow.)

Optional additions:

1 potato
1 carrot

Step one:

Fill your pressure cooker with water half way to the top.
Place the Flank steak in the water with the whole onion on top. To easily peel the onion cut off both ends and remove first or second layer of skin.
Add a pinch of salt to the water along with the bay leaf and wine. Cover the pan and cook over medium/low heat for about one hour to an hour and a half.
Remove from heat and allow pressure to return to normal.
Open lit and remove onion and set aside.
Place steak on a large plate and set aside
Reserve liquid in separate container
"shred" meat by separating it with fork. I basically take a fork in each hand and separate the meat.

Step two: Prepare the "sofrito"

Cut up onion (careful it will be hot) you can also place into a food processor
Add oil to the pressure cooker. Turn heat on to low.
Add in onion, chopped garlic, and pepper
Add meat and brown for a few moments.
Add in tomato sauce and cocktail sauce and olives and simmer until warm.

Serve over white rice.Easy white rice recipe in rice cooker

2 cups rice
2 3/4 cups water
pinch of salt
2 Tbs olive oil

Sazon Completa recipe: Makes 1 1/4 cup.

4 T of kosher salt
6 T of granulated garlic
2 T oregano
4 T onion powder
2 T cumin
2 T black pepper
3 T dried lime zest
2 T dried parsley

Ropa Vieja Recipe