Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Alps

Finally I have a good Internet connection! We are in Murren in the Swiss alps. We can see glaciers from our small balcony. Weather has derailed our hike farther up the mountain but we're going back down in the cable car to visit a giant waterfall. It is truly spectacular up here. Very serene and green. We came from Baden Baden yesterday and from Trier the day before. It is my favorite place so far.

As I sit here in the lounge, plans may change again since the weather is changing as I write. I had no idea the Alps would be so spectacular. We are here for three days before going on to Munich.

Transportation here is so interesting. Cable cars, funiculars, trains. Lots of ways to get up the mountains in the summer. There are sheep and cows on the hillsides. Walking up to the hotel we heard the cow bells up the mountain. Each bell has a different tone and farmers know each cow's tone. The bells are giant and expensive since each cow has to have a different tone.

So far we have taken the baths at Baden Baden and seen the Medieval city of Trier. We've toured a farm house from 1610 at an open air museum. We saw a real working mill from that same time. We always think we're so slick in this century but the milling machine was so creative and hand built! I don't think that anyone today could make such a machine.

Going with a tour has been a mixed bag. Lots of waiting but no worrying about logistics. Great people from all over the US from 13 to 71. All the food has been fabulous, great wine in the Mosel Valley and last night cheese fondue, yummy!

More later, if I'm not too exhausted. My jet lag lasted for days. It's either age or the amount of time it took us to get to Trier.

Auf wiedersehn,

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