Sunday, September 28, 2008

Having Fun

Emily and Damion have been visiting us here in Switzerland. We have spent the last ten days traveling to interesting sights and recuperating from our travels by just hanging out in Geneva. We went up to Mont Blanc, took the train to Lyon for the day, and spent two days in Grindelwald and the Lauterbrunen Valley. There is so much beauty to be seen here and we relish the opportunity to share it with others.
We were bundled up as we set out, but after a little bit of hiking, the jackets were shed and we enjoyed the warmth of the sun.
We hiked up to this lake from First. It was cloudy in Grindelwald when we got up so we decided to take the gondola up to First and get above the clouds. We were rewarded with such clear air and sunny skies at 7400 ft elevation.
Aview of the Alps from the beautiful little town of Murren in the Interlaken Region
We watched as this hiker walked on the narrowest of trails.
It's so much more enjoyable to share the beauty with those we love.
Damion definitely enjoyed the whole experience.
What a view through this "ice tunnel".
Back to Mont Blanc. We enjoyed another beautiful day on top of the world, so to speak. It was less than a month since we made this trip for the first time and yet the temperature was significantly cooler. This time, however, there was no wind to speak of. I also had a companion in my dislike for the tram ride to the top. Emily also is a little nervous on the tram rides. This time, however, the tram actually stopped about half-way down and it seemed to me like we dangled there thousands of feet in the air forever. In reality we were moving extremely slowly, inching our way into the terminal. White-knuckle time once again for me.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Same Game--New Setting

When Steve and I moved to Switzerland I did not bring any of my golf equipment. I really did not think that I would play while I was here. It would be far too difficult to get to any courses without having a car. Then one Sunday I was introduced to a lady who works at the United Nations with the High Commission for Refugees. We were introduced by an acquaintance who knew that we shared a common interest--we both like to golf. Moira, my new friend, first took me to a charming little driving range/nine-hole executive course that was part of someone's farm. The guy had extensive acreage and had built this golf facility on part of the farm which included corn fields, orchards, along with grazing bison and elk. This past Thursday was a Swiss holiday and Steve and I joined her at a beautiful 18 hole course called Signal De Bougy. Walking the course is expected in Europe, but Steve and I also ended up carrying our clubs that we rented. It's been ten years since I carried my clubs (that was in Scotland), but we survived and are anxious to find new courses to play. Moira has been kind enough to take us in her car--maybe we'll have to rent a car for our next outing.
I felt like I was back playing in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA. One needs to be part billy goat to deal with the extreme ups and downs of this hilly course. Also, there was a constant misty fog that settled in for most of the round--only to be interspersed with actual rain showers. These weather factors would explain the way I look. I still had fun.
We really did not stray off the course to take this picture. The tee is directly in front of us. It wouldn't be golf in Switzerland without the cows.
The sun finally came out after we finished our 18 holes. We have come up with an admirable quest--to play one new golf course every month.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

A Saturday Drive

We woke up on this particular Saturday and it was raining in Geneva, but we had a car rented for the day. My suggestion was "let's head for the Valais, and Sion, if there's any sun, it will be there." It turned out to be true and we had mostly sunny skies until we reached the top of the Grimsel Pass and it was clouded over and began to rain which continued all the way back to Geneva. The river you can see in the above photo is coming off the glacier which is also visible.


As we drove toward the Grimsel Pass over the mountains we came to the village of Gletch. It is interesting to me to imagine what it would be like to live in such a place.

We were dealing with lots of clouds and some sun on this particular day. However, the sun came out and lit the church in this village at the right moment.

I find it amazing that the Swiss like to "perch" their villages on hillsides up in the mountains. It takes quite a while to wind up the steep little single lane roads that will take you to the village. The views, however, once you get there are always worth it.