Switzerland - Part First

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Rain, rain, and more rain - that's what we mainly saw when we arrived in Switzerland. It's good we like it here so much, I don't think we would have tolerated such weather anywhere else. Our first week was spent exploring some new areas in the southeast and around Lake Lucerne. The towns of Chur, Arosa, and Pontresina were all nice, but too rainy to photograph. So just imagine nice Swiss villages with old towns, mountain views, and scenic lakes. Arosa is known as a mecca for the "unhealthy wealthy" and was very sedate and upscale.

Lucerne remains our favorite Swiss city. No matter how many times we walk over the old Kapellbrücke Bridge or visit the lion at the Lövendenkmal it, still seems like such a special place. Lake Lucerne is also beautiful with lots of interesting villages along the shore. So we took Mark Twain's advice and spent several days in his favorite town of Weggis. We did boat trips to the other lake villages, hiked some trails, rode lifts to the mountain peaks, and enjoyed the scenery. It was nice but it doesn't compare to the Bernese Oberland area.

Stein am Rhein is a charming village near Zürich. It's Rathaus Square is considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. It truly was outstanding, but the rain and a dead camera battery limited the photos. Being a Monday there were no camera stores open in the village. Oh well, we'll just have to go back!

Before heading to the Bernese Oberland area we spent 2 days in Bern. There is a great bookstore there that we love to visit. Also, at the Historical Museum, there was an excellent exhibit on Einstein. It was the most extensive Einstein exhibit that has ever been compiled. It pretty much covered everything you ever wanted to know about Einstein.

We have been in Interlaken since 8/21 hiking and pretending that we are locals. I have LOTS of trail and mountain view photos to share. There was also a major Swiss festival with a great parade last weekend. I have lots of photos of that, too. Then, this past weekend was the Jungfrau Marathon. The runners run uphill for 26.2 miles from Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg at the base of the Jungfrau Mountain. I was there with the camera for that too. So get ready for lots of photos in the next Swiss installments.

We head to Zürich on 9/17 for our flight to Sarasota on 9/18. I think I will be finishing all these installements while sitting in sunny FL. Time is running out and there are still trails to hike, boats to ride, and fondue to eat.......................

Ciao, RPM

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Photos

Chapel Bridge (aka Kapellbrücke)
This 14th century wooden bridge crosses the Reuss River in Lucerne.

Kapellbrücke
This portion is a reconstruction of the original bridge which burned in 1993.

Heinrich Wagmann's wooden paintings in the roof peak of the bridge
Only 30 of these paintings remained after the 1993 fire that destroyed most of them. They date back to 1614.

Löwendenkmal
Aka - The Lucerne Lion Monument which commemerates the Swiss soldiers that defended King Louis XVI in 1792 during the French Revolution.

Lion in detail
Mark Twain called it "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world".

Comments

[Jim Duerst]

Wow
Ron & Pam, Thanks for sharing. Beautiful country. Makes me proud to be Swiss! What a wonderful summer you have had. Look forward to seeing you. Great pictures Pam!! Jim

[Jody]

BRAVO.... you have to promise to let me have a copy of the echineachia with the bumble bee blown up so I can hang it on my wall near the waterlily :) SEE you soon..WOOOHOOO Jody

[Abby Pettigrew]

The Lion
I was in awe of the Lion photograph! It just caught my attention!! Enjoy your Blogs, can't wait to see you soon! Abby, Carl and Carlea

[anonymous]

As always I enjoyed the photos. They brought back great memories of our trip to Switzerland with the two of you. It did appeart to be very gray and wet in the pictures. Hope you find better weather on your future journies. Love, Nancy