BRUCK-FUSCH OLDTIMER TRACTOR WM

 When we arrived in Bruck a few days ago we were informed how lucky we are to be here at this time of year because Bruck and the Grossglockner sponsor a very famous and well-attended Tractor Fest.  Tractors come from miles around, and some even come from other countries, for the event.  They all park in a big green field and talk tractors for a day or two and then they parade to the nearby town of Fusch and have a big party.  Then there are events every day culminating in the tractor climb up the Grossglockner. 

This all sounded like good fun, so we decided to go check out some of the tractors at the rally point near the supermarket.  I can guarantee that none of the tractors participating in this event has ever seen a bale of hay or a cow patty.  Well, Don says I am insulting the tractormen, as they have lovingly restored old tractors that have seen the other side of tractor life.  But, just the same, they are shiny as new pennies, painted their original colors of bright blue, green, red, and all spiffed up.  Some of the tractors have fancy enhancements to the engines, with 6 shiny pipes curling up from their sparkling clean engines, extra seats for admiring fans and tractor buddies, and luggage boxes on the back.

All of the tractor guys were standing around in their team jackets with special badges and yodeler’s hats covered with souvenir pins, talking shop and admiring each other’s equipment.  Don joined in while I did some grocery shopping.

The tractor parade to Fusch was to pass near by our house around 2pm, so we went home and got our bikes and rode along the parade route.  There is a very nice bike path that goes all the way to Fusch, so we rode along the route admiring the tractors as they passed by, the vivid green fields, the herds or cows grazing, and even a gaggle of geese, loose in the field, grazing just like a bunch of cows. 

We rolled into Fusch enjoying the tunes of music combos playing folk music for the beer-guzzling crowds.  Ooom-pahs and accordians and poles with bells and other horns and percussion instruments competed up and down the main street.  Jolly locals and tractor men sat at tables and enjoyed their schnitzel and beer.  It was a very good time.

As the sun began to drop down behind the snowy peaks we climbed on our bikes and rolled down the road to get home before it got too cold and dark.