 |
Lucerne, Switzerland |
|
 |
We were driving from France to Austria and stopped briefly in Lucerne, Switzerland. Everyone who has been there will agree that the Swiss Alps are beautiful. Because it is a landlocked country surrounded by these magnificent mountains, the Swiss are very conscious of their environment. Therefore there are no smoke-stack industries. Our first stop was at the Sleeping Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Army. |
| When we crossed Lake Lucerne our ferry was flirting with a rolling fog bank. We entered and emerged from the fog several times. The sophisticated navigation system could detect other boats as well as the terrain below the surface making the journey quite safe.This statue of Christ is on an outcropping of rocks on the lake. |  |
 |
German, French and Italian are spoken in Switzerland. Although each of those languages are more prevalent along the borders Switzerland shares with Austria, France or Italy, it is not uncommon to find menus written in each of those languages. We enjoyed a fondue dinner in one of the cellar restaurants and were entertained by a group singing traditional Swiss folk songs including yodeling. |
What would a visit to Switzerland be without a trek up one of the Picturesque peaks of the Swiss Alps. We chose to ride the Stanserhornbahn, a cogwheel train to the top of the Stanserhorn outside Lucerne. The fields around the chalets are dotted with spring flowers and small herds of goats grazed in the distance. |
 |
 |
Many of the peaks are snowcovered year round. As our train climbed the Stanserhorn, other Alpine peaks were revealed. Just like the scenery on the lake occasionally peaked out of the rolling fog, the scenery on the mountain played in the rolling clouds as we climbed to the summit. |
There was plenty of snow around the Visitor's Center atop the Stanserhorn. I didn't take but about ten steps away from the cogwheel train when I was pelted by a snowball! That started a good natured snowball fight among the visitors that lasted a few minutes. Whenever the clouds parted the views of the other peaks in the distance took our breath away. It was time to simply be quiet and look until they were once again shrouded by the clouds. |
 |
 |
 |
Sponsored Links |
