March 29, 2017 - Morning in Vitznau and driving back to Lugano with Matt

This morning in Vitznau, Rick and I got up and went for a walk after breakfast. We were waiting for Matthew. His class went to the Zurich airport very early in the morning. Matt had to accompany them, but he stayed on and rented a car at the airport and drove to Vitznau to pick us up.

The morning train up to Rigi leaving Vitznau.

The train beginning its steep climb!

And away it goes....

We find an odd type of "artwork?" on our hike. Lots of pieces of wood with little holes drilled in them. It was an insect hotel! Really - that's what it said!

Morning views looking back to town. A funny thing happened on our walk. I was following some smaller, shortcut paths to go up higher in town. We take a marked path, but it ends at someone's yard. Often in Switzerland paths will cross people's property. We see a man on his terrace in the backyard and he motions us to continue, but soon I see where are just in the middle of his garden and I don't know where to go! He comes to help us, and we find out he is Australian and has been living in Switzerland for many years. He spends May-October high in the mountains, tending the cows for local farmers. Once the cows are brought down in October, he is on "vacation" until the following May. He was so nice and invited us for coffee, but we needed to get back to meet Matt. I'm sure he would have SO many fun stories to tell! 

So here is what we found at the spot of the town map that had a symbol of a T-shirt on it. There is a waterfall here (when there's water) and a small swimming hole - just out of the picture on the left. But I notice odd vent pipes coming out of the ground, and a door in the rock in the background. I know that there must be a large army barrack underground here! 

Hiking more nearby, we find the army barrack. I was right! This is a tented entrance. I'm sure there is a huge operation inside the mountain here. 

Here is an old pully system to bring goods up to high pastures. 

View from above Vitznau

We are driving back to Lugano, and Matt, Rick and I stop for lunch in Brunnen. We buy some sandwiches and sit on a bench to enjoy this view! 

Matt and Rick

Boats also stop in Brunnen. Can't get more beautiful! 

March 28, 2017 - Train trip to Mt Rigi in central Switzerland & meeting our son Matt there!

On Tuesday Rick and I bought day passes with the Swiss train system and we went to Mt Rigi in central Switzerland. Day passes allow you to travel anywhere in Switzerland on buses, trains and boats all day!

On the train to Arth Goldau

Waiting for the Rigi cogwheel train in Goldau. Mt. Rigi is with the snow in the background. 

Some views from the Rigibahn cogwheel train going up. 

Still going up! 

So our son Matthew was chaparoning is high school students from Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica on a European trip. They were in Switzerland this day and they also went up to Rigi. The class was waiting for their train down when our train arrived on top. Rick wore his Pacifica Christian T-shirt, which really surprised some kids who were not expecting it! 

Matt and Gail on Mt Rigi

Panoramic view above the Rigi train station. 

It's amazing how the trains come up so high! 

A view of Mt Pilatus in the background. 

Me in the Alps!

We are really Swiss now! 

It really was warm up there! 

There are two trains that go up to Rigi - one on each side of the mountain. We went back down on the other side to the town of Vitznau. Unfortunately I didn't have a seat right by the window. It was a very steep descent - glad those cogwheels held! We also made the trip probably no faster than 10 mph. 

Still coming down

From Vitznau we walked just a few steps to the lake where we borded a boat to Luzern. Transportation connections are so easy! Here is the view as the boat pulled away from Vitznau. 

A little further from Vitznau.

Enjoying a couple of hours in Luzern. We ran into some of Matt's students there too. The class did the same boat trip after Rigi that we did! 

At our hotel in Vitznau after a long day. We fortunately bought something to eat at the train station grocery store in Luzern before taking the train/bus back to Vitznau. The weather was perfect - absolutely no wind, and we enjoyed our dinner on our terrace. 

Another view from our hotel that evening. 

Later in the evening Rick and I took a walk. I saw this town map, and couldn't help but wonder what the T-shirt symbol was in the upper middle of the picture! The next day we will take a walk to find out! 

March 26, 2017 Hike to the Grotto Monte Creda

 This afternoon we took one of the bus lines that stop in Pregassona (where we live) to the end point in Villa Luganese. From there we hiked up the mountain to the Grotto Monte Creda. A grotto is usually a stone mountain building, very rustic, and serving traditional, local food and drink.

It was a beautiful springtime day and the crocuses and mountain flowers were blooming in the meadows.

A big mountain dog at the Grotto!

Rick and the mountain dog, Nikko

Sweet dog, but boy he really slobbered on us!

Rick enjoying a cappucino at the Grotto Monte Creda

Our view from the grotto overlooking their meadow

Gail enjoying her "panaché - a drink of 1/2 beer and 1/2 lemonade. Very good!

This little door going into the mountain is not an elf's home. (I know it's hard to see the door.) They are called  "Neveras" because at one time they were used to store milk and cheese. The inside would be packed with snow, then milk and cheese put inside where they could be kept cold throughout the summer.