I'll push myself up through the dirt and shake my petals free
I'm resigned to being born and so resigned to bravery.
~Dar Williams

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Wanderin’ Blues

You pass through places
And places pass through you
But you carry them with you on the
Souls of your traveling shoes.
     ~The Be Good Tanyas


1 IMG_0428 The above photo is dedicated to Marsha, naturally.
We now return to our European vacation.  Recall that we stayed high up in the Alps in a little town called Murren.  There were several neighboring mountain villages, all connected by trails.  We took advantage of this and hiked past Winteregg to Grutschalp.  The scenery along the way was stunning, and our surroundings were almost silent – it was a lovely afternoon walk.

2 IMG_0461 Part of the trail was parallel to the vintage railroad that connects the villages.3 IMG_0427 Along the way, we had spectacular views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well Grindewald village, which was across the valley.3 r IMG_0452

We passed this trail, which is actually going uphill.  I will most certainly be biking it on my return to the Berner Oberland.

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Feeling a little small:

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Tim really liked the aqua effect the glaciers gave the snowy mountains.

4 IMG_0423 During most of our stay in Europe, I felt very much like an awkward visitor, completely out of my element.  But in Switzerland I felt completely at home, and was at times surprised to hear locals speaking German.   Maybe this is why:4 IMG_0434 5 IMG_0455 6 IMG_0457 The following picture is dedicated to Cami, who is the only person I know who might feel honored by the dedication.

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I used to dream of having a family, and my dreams always seemed to be set in a mountain scene: hiking through forests and along rambling brooks with my best-friend husband with our kids in tow.  I guess sometimes dreams come true.

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We took the train back to Murren,

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and walked around the town.  Tim was delighted to see a curling rink:

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And I was delighted to see watering troughs for horses.  Did I mention there were no cars in Murren?  Hurray!

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We ended the trip by eating at an overpriced restaurant.  Tim had pork,

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And I had cheese.  I like cheese.

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Squiggles had plastic.

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9 comments:

Cami said...

I'm so scatologically honored. And I also love the aqua tint on the glaciered mountains.

Jill said...

Ah, Switzerland. I like to think it's in my blood a bit, since all my ancestors on both sides of my family are from there.

I just need to go there someday.

Joe and Joanne said...

Switzerland...love it! And love ALL your great pics! :) The Aqua tint: Glaciers are cool that way, but I've only ever seen them from a distance hiking the trails on Mt. Rainier. Looks like you guys were pretty up close and personal - awesome!

David said...

Wow, I think I could get attached to Switzerland. I don't think I have relatives who came from there but perhaps some nice person could adopt me. I loved the mountain scenes, but they were pretty ...ginormous! I mean, I see large mountains every day, but none like those. Congratulations to Cami on her Scat-of-the-Day award!

David said...

Dad Dave:
I already love the people in the pictures and I think I could learn to love the mountains behind them. It kind of reminds me of the tetons, Sierras, and Glacier all rolled into one place. Can I go with when you go back?

Karen said...

Oooh, I love the lyrics at the top of the post. How lovely and true.

Also, the Swiss Alps are okay...

Diana said...

What a super cute family! Squiggles seems to be following in her parent's footsteps in her love for the outdoors! I love her cute little smile peeking out from her hat!

Marsha said...

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery." -Charles Caleb Colton

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am off to Switzerland to imitate some of your cheese eating, gorgeous mountain gazing, and brisk hikes.

(Photos to come in the VERY distant future. Sigh.)

Michelle said...

Not to make Tim jealous, but I am going to go curling in a couple of weeks when I visit Canada. I can't wait!