This is a picture from the webcam at Jungfrau, “The Top of Europe”. There’s not going to be any Jungfrau for me, or any of the other high mountains for that matter. The forecast is for this cloud cover to continue throughout my stay. BUT on arrival the hotel told me to hurry hurry and I might be able to get some town views by taking the funicular up to Harder Kulm.
But first the train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken.
It was raining, but it wasn’t pouring, so I decided to have a little walk. The hotel has umbrellas to borrow which made it more comfortable than my little telescoping travel umbrella. And since I need a destination I picked a brewery a little out of town. They brew beer, whisky, and gin. I thought they were a tourist attraction with windows onto the brewing process (why did I think that?) but no, all you could visit was their very extensive store.
I ran across this playground and it was a real treat. You can’t see how totally cool it is – an obstacle course of challenge and delight. This is just one outer edge, the course goes deep into the forest.
At some point I got to thinking about what I would do tomorrow and I thought Trains, let me see where I could go to get out of this rain. So I went to my beloved SBB Visitor Information Center and asked my helper what she thought about a plan I had to leave around 11 and be back by 3. She said my plan was fine but instead, she said, what about leaving at 7:38 and getting back around 5:42? She then mapped out an itinerary that took me in a giant circle riding 6 different trains, up some mountains and into Italian speaking Switzerland for lunch. Ok Ok! Tomorrow!
But today I have more time and earlier I had made an appointment for a massage. It was a Thai place and the massage was absolutely as perfect as a massage needs to be. She did this release with the big joints, shoulder and hip mostly, and I will now be in constant search of someone at home who can do this.
I have so much I want to remember about my 9-10 hours on the trains – make maps, show the different kinds of trains and tell their stories, what happened at the various stops, passing through Italy, my great variety of seat mates, and more! I wonder if I’ll get to it? Right now here are a few pictures and the names of the places I changed trains.
Interlaken-Spiez-Brig-Domodossola-Locarno-Bellinzona-Lucerne-Interlaken.
A view from the train station in Interlaken, notice these Interlaken buildings that tell a good story about the difference between Interlaken and Zermatt. They are both ski resorts about the same size but Interlaken is more citified and Zermatt is more alpine country. I loved them both.
On to Zermatt, more clouds and rain with the occasional and most welcome beams of light to color the scene. These pictures are out the train window. You’re probably used to the window-glare by now. I stopped trying to get rid of it because I just made a bigger mess than letting it be.
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At one point the rain seemed to quiet down a little and I rushed out to the known viewing spots to try to catch a glimpse of the Matterhorn, in case tomorrow was even worse. So here are several glimpses and you can see how quickly the cloud cover comes and goes.
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And here are a few more pictures from around town. I clearly didn’t do anything but have an occasional wander.
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And now I’m going to go to sleep and dream of a sunny day, bright blue skies, vista views, for a nice ride up to The Matterhorn! I’ve got a 50-50 chance and I’m getting up early to increase those chances. I have to leave by 2 to get to Geneva in time to meet Heidi for dinner. Wouldn’t it be just WONDERFUL if my last day was bright, and fresh, and clear, and DRY?!
Yup, it’s 7am and the day breaks bright, and fresh, and clear, and DRY.
There are a few ways to get to Matterhorn view points and the highest was closed due to wind. I took the route recommend at the ticket counter as an alternative and it was plenty high for me.
Wow, lucky dog me. I’m all packed up to get to Geneva in time for dinner with Heidi, then a quick sleep, up at 5am for a very long day getting home. Home Sweet Home.
ps – I had an empty middle seat on the 11 hour leg home. Oh YEAH!