To the top of the Alps!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

What a day this has been!

We left the lovely Palace Hotel on Lake Como—except, if you remember, we couldn’t see the lake from anywhere in the hotel or on the grounds.  Even so, we still enjoyed very nice accommodations.  Immediately, we made a wrong turn—did not follow Samantha’s directions—and suddenly we were in the midst of a horde of people walking and biking in every direction.  It was an interesting maze, and we had trouble finding our way out. One thing I would recommend—if anyone is ever coming to Europe and plans to drive, that they take a course in Traffic Signs 101.  We don’t know whether or not we were supposed to be there, but we eventually worked our way out of alleyways and squares to a main road and tuned in to Samantha again. 

When we first began thinking about this trip, I told Robin I would like to drop down into Italy to see Lake Como.  My friend Betsy had shared pictures of her visit here a few years ago, and I liked what I saw.  When Robin started booking the trip, I told him I wanted to go to Bellagio, Italy, on Lake Como.  Instead, he booked us in Como that I described yesterday, and I was disappointed.  This morning I convinced him that we should drive to Bellagio so I could at least see it.  He really wanted to get on the road to where we are tonight, but since it was only 30 kilometers, off we went.  Think Wild Maus—my favorite ride at Rainbow Gardens when I was growing up! The Wild Maus twisted around curves, would speed up and cut a sharp corner, then drop straight down with my friends and me screaming all the way.  That’s what the ride was like—only other cars and even buses were coming at us on a narrow road.  What a tiring, beautiful ride along this lovely lake—through all the little villages and up and down the hills.  In hindsight, I am glad we stayed in Como—there was more to do, easy walking, lots to see.

After that adventure, we headed toward Lugano and then to our destination for tonight—Grindelwald, Switzerland.  Two days ago I described our going through the Alps, under the Alps, over the Alps, etc.  That was absolutely nothing compared to what we experienced today—the Alps of two days ago were an appetizer!!  This was one of the most amazing days of my life.  I never saw anything to compare with what we saw today—only the pictures may speak for themselves—we haven’t had time to download them to even see them. 

 

 

 

 

 I have never felt holier or healthier.  I know this may sound dramatic, but I cried for the joy of it all.  8500 feet up in the pristine air, and majestic mountains in front of me, some with snow, some in the clouds.  I turned around and saw more behind me.  The valley below was the greenest green, lush flatlands and rolling hills with streams meandering. I feel like the luckiest person alive to be here—I am very grateful for this opportunity.  Every turn just got better—and, believe me, there were thousands of turns and 38 tunnels!  When we arrived in Grindelwald and got settled into our room, we stepped out on the balcony and there were multiple, snow-covered rock masses that were ours to enjoy.  I will never forget this.  Forget Italy—I want to come back to Switzerland!

We had dinner tonight in a rustic restaurant attached to the hotel.  Our server was a young German woman who knew English quite well.  Robin had schnitzel and I had wonderful chicken in a champagne mushroom sauce.  While we were eating, I told Robin that it has been a week since I’d had a conversation in English with anyone except him.  A few minutes later, the people a couple tables away—we were the only customers inside—began a conversation and we learned that they were from San Francisco and Wisconsin and were taking a train journey through Switzerland.  Chatting with them was great!

So, here we are, having just had a day of contrasts from busy Lake Como to this vast wilderness of rocks and trees and water high up in the air—we heard it was the highest resort in Switzerland you can reach by car!  Leaving for France tomorrow is not going to be easy.

Before I sign off, we want to wish our daughter Pattie and her husband Mark a happy anniversary today (September 5) and our daughter Kerry and her husband David a happy anniversary tomorrow (September 6).