Sunday, April 14. Lugano Lakers VS Luzern Lions, Zurich, and spectacular view of the Alps

A wonderful, warm day all over Switzerland! We got an early start in order to be in Luzern for an 11am game against the Luzern Lions. This game was for only the junior team. The team had to eat something before the game, but not right before the game. So on the road to Luzern, the team vans stopped at a rest stop, where the mother of 3 of the players (yes, she has 3 sons playing!) made pasta for everyone! Rick and I heard she was going to do this, and we were baffled how she could pull it off. She made tons of pasta with bogognese sauce and put it in a huge Swiss army metal insulated tub container. She put this tub of pasta in one of the vans. At the rest stop they guys sat outside and she served it all up on paper plates. incredible! She is an amazing woman. She often brings fruit for the team, and even stores their equipment in her garage. When the team practices at a field on top of Mt. Ceneri, she is there, hosing down the muddy locker room to leave it neat and clean afterwards. A true hero she is!
And by the way -  we beat the Luzern Lions 28-8 - yeah!

What a gorgeous backdrop. Not a bad place to play football! The field was among many playing fields in a huge sports complex area. After the game Rick and I hopped on a bus (there was a bus stop right there) and went to the Luzern main train station. From there we went to Zurich to spend a couple days and see friends. The train ride was spectacular, as it was such a clear day. At one point I saw a farm and there were horses outside actually "frolicking" around! Now, how often does anyone see anything "frolicking"? I just looked at these horses and thought that they must be so happy with this beautiful day in this beautiful settling, and I experienced my first real view of "frolicking"!!

There are so many idyllic small towns that we pass on the train. If anyone is familiar with the old TV series "Twilight Zone", you might remember an episode about an over-worked businessman who looks out his commuter train window and sees an idyllic small town called Willowby, where everything is perfect, which is only in his dream. He is so overworked that one day he "gets off" the train in Willowby (which he really jumped off a running train). But the point is: just about every adorable town we pass, Rick and I say to each other "Is this Willowby?"

On Sunday evening in Zurich we met with one of Rick's former students, Nadia, and her husband Philip, and also another young couple - Simone and Abigail. Simone's sister was also one of Rick's students 8 years ago when we lived in Lugano. We all took the tram and bus up the mountainside to a restaurant called Die Waid, where we had window seats with a magnificent view of Zurich and all the surrounding Alps. Our friends said this was the first time in a long time - probably all winter, that there was a clear view of the Alps. I considered ourselves very blessed to have the opportunity to see this magnificent view!

On the football field in Luzern. They even have cheerleaders!

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My kind of football field!

After the win!

Here's our group! Nadia, Gail, Rick, Philip, Simone, & Abigail

The exceptionally clear view of the Alps from "Die Waid" Restaurant

April 13 - A summer day at the market

Every Saturday morning across the border in Italy, in Ponte Tresa, there is a market. There is a narrow gauge train that runs from the Lugano station to Ponte Tresa, Switzerland, and then we walk over the border to the market. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I've always looked forward to these markets, but in the last couple of years I've noticed things have changed. They used to have the cutest clothes for great prices, things that were really unique. But now every clothing stand has the same thing - and it's stuff that I've never seen anyone wear. More of it is made in China than in Italy and the quality, or course, is no longer there. Sad...

But the food is still good and we had our favorite fried sausage sandwich with grilled onions and peppers on it. Then, away from the market and along the lake there is a restaurant/bar which also has an ice cream shop - and it's has some of the best gelato around (called Johnny's) - absolutely could not pass that up! This place has the perfect view over Lake Lugano - looking back into Switzerland.

Since we couldn't get enough of the great weather, when we came home we did another local hike, exploring different roads that head up into the mountain. Check out the ultra modern house we found! And of course there are always a few sheep in the picture!!

Sausage and cheese for sale

The fruits and vegetables look wonderful!

Now, I'm sure they are a nice singing group, but there's just something about the name!

The gorgeous view from Ponte Tresa, Italy looking back into Switzerland

Ultra modern house!

The ultra modern house from the back

Sheep, of course!

April 11-12 - Thick skies again, but a sunny walk also! In Comano and Paradiso

Fog and low clouds have returned again. On Thursday Rick and I went back to Comano, which was the town we lived in back in 2004-2005. We enjoyed walking around the old center, seeing the remodeling that has taken place with some of the very, very old buildings. Here and there, as we passed someone else on the sidewalk, we received very warm "Buon Giorno's" and wondered "Do they recognized us?" Usually everyone will say Buon Giorno, but their greetings were more geniune!

We stopped in the little local grocery store "Da Gina" where we often shopped and chatted with Gina, our adopted Swiss grandma. She is always so happy to see us when we are in town. She had always been our greatest source of what was happening in town during our year here, so we always make sure to shop at her store.

Below you'll see a picture of one of the very, narrow streets. I'm always amazed how trucks get through there. Expert drivers! I remember once I tried to get through with a SMART car - yes, a Smart car, which is very small, and I STILL couldn't do manage my way through! Getting on the bus to head home, we see one of the usual bus drivers who was driving the route 8 years ago. It's so nice to see familiar faces!

This past Wednesday evening Rick had football practice. Here is a cultural difference: They were on a fenced in field and the football happened to go over the fence. They asked a young man on the other side to throw the ball back over. He tried several times but couldn't do it. Then someone said "Calcio!" meaning to kick it. BAM! Rick said the ball flew back over the fence! An American would throw it better than kick it!

Today, Friday, Rick and I went downtown and then took a walk to Paradiso, the next town along the lake. The sun came back out - yeah! Spring is just starting here. From what I hear from the locals, Spring is late this year. We had lunch at Manora - a restaurant that is associated with the Manor department stores. They have great food and lots of choices. My favorite lunch stop in Lugano. :-)

Now, look how close this guy is to each wall! How do they ever drive through these narrow streets!

A part of Santo Lorenzo Church in Lugano - the rest is under renovation.

Not a castle, but an old villa on the side of Mt San Salvatore in Paradiso.

April 10- Spring is here! Exploring an old train route and hikes

Well lthe sun is finally shining today! The past couple of days Rick and I managed to get in some nice walks, even though the sky was thick with fog and a serious chill. It seems like every day we discover a  new path, which also leads to exciting finds!
Last week we discovered that there once was a little train that ran from Lugano and along this side of the mountain, to serve the towns found along the way. It started service in 1911, but was closed down in 1970 as cars became the way to go. It was called the Lugano-Cadro-Dino Railway (LCD). The train bed was preserved on most of the route, making for a beautiful and peaceful walk with great views. We live in Pregassona, which is about the mid-point of the train route.

Yesterday Rick and I walked uphill from our town to the very end of the historic path - at least of what's left of it. So we walked from Pregassona to the town of Davesco. We came across two bridges which were no longer intact, and a tunnel, which was still open to go through. Along the way there are historic markers explaining what had been at that point. Although the stations are gone, two unique types of trees had been planted by every station, so seeing these old trees indicated there was a station. There are also remnants of kilometer markings and some other concrete posts used for track spacing.
As it began to drizzle, we turned around to take the walk back and fortunately it was downhill all the way!

Today we woke up to bright sunshine and couldn't wait to get outside again! In the morning we walked to the very end of the highest street in town, where it ended in a mountain path which led through some farmland and finally to the top of a small mountain where there is a big white cross. We had seen this cross from below and had been trying to find the right path which would lead up there. We found it! And what a beautiful path! The bonus was also seeing a little baby lamb - so cute!

In the afternoon Rick needed to work on getting football practice set up for tonight. I had to get out again, so I followed the train path going down from Pregassona. There were a couple small breaks in the path - I'm still trying to locate the exact route, but I DID find another tunnel - although closed. 

So here are my pictures from yesterday (just one - it was dreary) and those from today.

Remnants of one of the bridges from the Lugano-Cadro-Dino railway. This one is near Davesco.

The view along our hike this morning. At this point we are still on the street leading up the mountain. You can see the church tower in the middle. You can also see Lake Lugano and Mt. San Salvatore on the left. 

One of the many typical outside tables in Ticino. Just about everyone has one - and they are made from slabs of granite. This on is quite exact - usually they are more rustic. A great view when eating outside!

Rick enjoying the controlled waterfall along our hike.

We spot the sheep with her lamb, and she was very protective. Nice view they have over Lugano. :-)

Isn't this little lamb cute???

I just love the Swiss mountain paths. This actually cuts through someone's property, but a path is maintained through it for access to the mountains and woods for all to enjoy! Look closely at the mountains in the background. Those are a couple of towns way high up on the mountain range behind the first.

At the top of this little mountain with the big white cross.

Rick looking over the ruins of well, we don't know what. A little house? Chapel?

Enjoying the view from the top! Lake Lugano and Mt. San Salvatore in the background.

How nice! Running water along our way. It is very common to find Artesian wells on Swiss hiking paths.

Hiking the path with my trekking poles!

What a great trail. It's amazing the work to build these stone retaining walls!

End of walk and in front of our apartment building. The magnolia tree is lovely!

View of the top of the magnolia tree from our apartment.

April 7 - Lugano Lakers Football Team first home game - We won!

Today the Lugano Lakers junior team played at 11am and the senior team at 2pm against the Knights of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The juniors won 30-0 and the seniors won 29-0!!!! Rick coaches the senior team but I think all the coaches help at the games. It was a sunny day but with a cool breeze. It was quite different to watch a football game where one team spoke Italian and the other spoke French! Here are a few pictures of the game - with the wonderful mountain background.

Rick giving half time instructions - in Italian!

April 2 - Our train ride back to Lugano

On Tuesday, April 2nd, we took the train back over the Oberalp Pass and through the San Gottardo Tunnel. On the way we stopped in Andermatt, which still had lots of snow, but we enjoyed a lunch outside in the sunshine. Perfect!
Unfortunately as evening came and we finally reached home, I felt a sore throat coming on and yep! I'm sick again! :-(

At the top of the Oberalppass

This is serious snow!

View of Andermatt from the train as we zig zagged down the mountainside

Andermatt, Switzerland

Rick enjoying the view

We found a warm spot to enjoy lunch and a local beer!

A "tart flambée" - very good!

The old streets of Andermatt

Roads winding up and down the north side of the San Gottardo Pass

April 1 - It was no April's Fool today! On top of the sunny mountains in Davos!

From our base in Ilanz, Switzerland, we took this side trip to Davos, a major ski resort. There are two ways to get there, so we took the train there on the south route and came back through the north route. Here are pictures of our fantastic day! We were really blessed with wonderful weather.
Although I don't have a picture, as the train went east of Ilanz, we went through what I would call the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. Read the captions below my pictures - it was a COOL day! I also want to mention that I used my German ALOT while in this region. It was so exciting to communicate!

April 1 morning from our hotel room. The sun's first rays on the mountains.

View during our train connection in Reichenau

We are high above Davos, on Jakobshorn, at 2590 meters (8497 feet)

This is really the view from Jakobshorn. You'll need to enlarge this picture - the two parachutes you see in the sky above the mountains are hang gliders!!! 

 

 

A lower ski station above Davos

Jakobshorn! We ate lunch outside in the sunshine.

Skiing and hang gliding at Jakobshorn

Looking down at Davos

On the terrace at the top of Jakobshorn, looking down on Davos

Davos!

 

Hot chocolate at the top!

As we were having our lunch, we were watching this guy hike to the top of this peak. It wasn't until I took the picture and zoomed in that we saw he had a snowboard and not skis. Later we saw him snowboard down that left side in fresh, untouched powder. Crazy!

Lunch at the top!

On a little hike at the top

Awesome!!!!!

So much snow!

Jakobshorn

self portrait

At the base of the ski slopes

Here is a snowboard chute at the base of the slopes

River at the base of the slopes in Davos

On our way back to Ilanz, taking the north route back from Davos, we stopped for an hour in Chur, which is the largest city in this region of Switzerland. It has a very large, old, medieval center. It's magnificent!

Another picture of the old center of Chur. A picture perfect day!