The day began with a severe downhill to Lauferbrunnen. I still prefer downhill to uphill. The weather was good and not as hot as it had been the days before.
Then the walk started with a reasonable. uphill through the valley.
There were lots of noisy waterfalls.
I loved this barn with the old tools on the outside. I suspect these were just for show.
So green and beautiful. I have not seen an ugly or trashy spot in Switzerland.
I stopped in Stechelberg for lunch. I had a chicken sandwich and fries, which
was pretty good. All the other choices were big meals.
This is where the gold and silver mines of Trachaeliaurien were located.
Such a cute baby.
And then the torture began for the last 4 hours. OMG, this was so steep and many, too many of these rock stairs. The builders of these stairs must have been tall because they are not just one step for these short legs, but not quite two. In any event, they kill my upper thighs as does the steep incline. The route to Obersteinberg is the only way to get to the top of the mountain. There are no roads and no bike routes.
Makes me tired again just talking about it.
The sign above says a group of climbers, including Sir Edmund Hillary, summited this mountain in 1865 as the first. The second group got there 10 minutes later. It must have been quite the sight to see two groups racing to the top of a very dangerous peak.
I didn't think I was ever going to make it. It rained all of the last 3 and a half hours - not hard but enough to be annoying and it made for mud and slippery surfaces. I made the rookie mistake of not packing my rain poncho. Somehow, when I packed, half asleep, I failed to put it in. After I carefully put my medications and vitamins in a tiny plastic bag, I forgot those, too. Jeez, I hope I wake up for the next hiking day. I did have a lot to pack since I didn't have luggage for the night.
At long last, my chalet for the night. No electricity or email, but somehow, I could still text Dennis, so the phone service worked. I loved staying in this remote area. There was no heat in the room, but I had a giant featherbed and comforter. I slept on a featherbed at my grandmothers growing up. Such a treat - all snuggly and warm.
The dining room.
I started with this mini bottle of crisp white Swiss wine called Fendant. It might have only been half a bottle, but it was empty when I finished dinner.
The food was surprisingly good. I started with creamy asparagus soup, which was like eating a savory pudding. This was my favorite course.
Next came a fresh green salad with the white dressing I love in France.
The main course was macaroni with a thick slow-cooked bolognese sauce. I could smell it the minute I checked in.
The dessert was very interesting—in a good way. It was a thick pudding flavored with apricots. When I left, I saw no bowls with so much as a bite left.
It was off to bed in the cabin. I had a shared bathroom, and it was quiet until about 3:00 a. m. when nature called. I headed to the bathroom and was as quiet as a little mouse, but after I went, it seemed that everyone else staying there also got up, but each of them slammed their door. Luckily, I went back to sleep when the last of the slamming was over.
Until tomorrow - may God bless and keep you.
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