"How can one explain the stunning beauty of a natural blue spring, bursting from the bottom of a small ravine, where one can sit overlooking the slow, swimming trout? My first glimpse of the quelle spring was many years ago, when my husband took me...to this charming coaching inn for dinner. The heat of the day was completely gone when I stepped into the shade surrounding the spring, but the sunlight dapples the leaves and the waters of this amazing place. Behind me, a trio of cows softly tinkled their bells across the fields. I almost felt as though I were intruding on their own, private paradise. Alas, they stayed behind their electrified fence and I continued to relax before heading down the little lane to the main building of the Blau Quelle. After all these years, I never fail to think of the many holidays, Christmas, my birthday, anniversary, and assorted family and friendly gatherings which we have had in the charming rooms of this inn 's restaurant. The old heating ovens and charming Tirolian decor never fails to attract me whenever I visit this area. I also reside part of the year in the small village across the Inn River, Oberaudorf, Germany. The charming family, the Struths, have welcomed us with open arms every time we dine there. Gaby, usually our hostess, is one of the most beautiful Austrian women I have ever met! Her husband mans the kitchen with bravado and elan! There is always one word I never know on their daily menu, which intrigues me in itself! The food is unbelievably appetizing, from the selected trouts, all differently prepared, to the schultzkrapfen my husband craves. Oh, and the soups: I dream of them! Be sure to always have soup there! ALWAYS! Naturally, for me, there is always the palatschinken for dessert, flambeed with their home made schnapps/brandy. Some of the finest schnapps in Austria is brewed on this mountainside, home of the Festspielhaus in Erl, both new all 38 million Euros of it and Alte old , which is about to have their Passionspiele Play this year. The Blau Quelle is walking distance from these playhouses and a gathering of theater folk usually populates the restaurant when the theaters are in session. Now, that spring in my step, ...... Awaiting dinner, I dream of the theater nearby, and I can hear the singers warming up in the small salon of the Quelle. Tante Bergie, the Struths theater loving aunt, might stop by to give me the lowdown of the artists, productions everywhere in Austria, and gently guide me to the new decorations in the remodeled hotel of the Blau Quelle. on that later. Feel honored if you get to meet her, as she adds more charm and effervescence to any visit! I truly love her! After my trout, usually steamed until it is slightly blue in color, and dipped in drawn butter and FRESH horseradish, I rapture again on the palatschinken soon coming alive with flames at my table! Ooops! That WAS a dream! I am back in Florida, planning my next visit to the Struths, BLAU QUELLE. Now, should I stay overnight? The two 2 kilometer drive home to Germany might be too much for me, and those newly decorated rooms look gorgeous! Another dream...."
