Got an early start today. I am staying in a great hostel in the old St. Sebastian church right in the middle of everything. Breakfast was served from 8:00- 9:00, so I wanted to get a run in before breakfast, leaving me the rest of the day to explore. What a great way to discover the city... these early morning runs.... it is fun to see the city wake up.

Salzburg is saddled among the Alps, a supremely beautiful place. I headed out through the old town, across the Salzach river and followed the river northwest to gain access to the Monchsberg, the mountain that cradles the city. I followed some steps to the top and found a trail that hugged the edge of the cliff face, overlooking the city. My run brought me by the Museum der Moderne (where I would wind up later that day), and through woods, filled with some great modern installations, including a skyspace by James Turrell. I continued on under the Festung Hohensalzburg, the great white castle that dominates the city, then back down to the river. I crossed over and made my way back by the Steingasse, a great little street on the north side of the river running along the base of the Kapuzinerberg, the mountain to the north. Finally back through the old town and to the hotel, just in time for breakfast.