Are you ever overcome with a sort of giddiness you can’t explain? I feel that way when I’m in Switzerland.
It’s just such a joy to be in the mountains, everything in its place, shuttered houses with flower-laden window boxes, and the renowned Swiss stack of firewood ready for next winter. Cows are making the annual trek toward higher pasture, with bells as big as their heads clanging as they go. Meadows are lush, snow still caps the peaks in places and the ice cream is still the creamiest. I love this country.
Early this morning we boarded a train and went east toward a hidden gem we heard about the last time we were here but had to forgo, well, because you just can’t see everything!
The 3 hour train ride took us nearly to Liechtenstein but we stopped just short of it and took a tram ride up the cliffside. Hiking part way down took about 20 minutes meandering through the meadows, along the edge of the hillside, into a cave and out along a narrow trail. The tiniest church came into view as we rounded the corner and pulled out the camera. It was wet with recent rainfall but no less adorable.
Beneath the overhanging granite and tucked closely into the rock we saw the warm glow of lights and a fire in the woodstove. I had not realized the strength of my appetite until we passed the kitchen on our way to find a table. Oh my! Rosti with gruyere never tasted so good.
Mid way through lunch the sky cleared some and the alpen view wowed us all. More torrential rain, more clearing skies and we took our queue to hike back up to the tram, hop on the train and explore the charming nearby town of Appenzell.
Photos don’t tell it all that well but we hope they allow us to share some of the effect of Switzerland’s charm on two happy wanderers.
