Locarno

The warm and sunny city of Locarno in the southern Canton of Ticino.  Only 2 hrs from Zürich and feels like a weekend getaway to Italy.

The stone houses typical of Valle Verzasca.

The beautiful Verzasca River.  Cold and dangerous after rain (like on this day), but otherwise very inviting for a swim and maybe some cliff-diving!

Ahhh...

Aletsch Glacier

Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps. It has a length of about 14 mi and covers more than 46 sq mi in the eastern Bernese Alps. Its thickness is estimated to be near 1 km (3,300 ft).

 

From the start, taking the cable car from Mörel up to Riederalp saves 3800 feet of climbing!

An hour walk through the Aletsch Forest...

 

with a nice view across the valley, where you hike out of the valley later in the day...

...takes you to here, to a close up view of the Aletsch Glacier.

This 400 foot long hanging bridge hangs takes you to the other side of the valley, crossing the Massa river 250 feet below!

The end of the Aletsch Glacier from where the Massa River flows.  The glacier has been receeding by 300 feet per year due to global warming.

The famous Matterhorn at the Swiss/Italy border can be seen off in the distance.

The 2.5hr hike back out of the valley, up about 1800 feet to the church on that ridge.

Looking back to the river and glacier.

Hiking and dog walking

Ebenalp-Alpstein in Appenzellerland

In front of "Säntis" peak

Taking Jamie and Meagan for a walk with

Hunde-Laufgruppe at Tierheim Surber

Vitznau - Hinterbergen - Milttlerschwanden - Vierwaldstattersee - Lucerne

 which way to go?

 looking over Lake of Lucerne (Vierwaldstattersee) towards Mt. Pilatus

 the long climb in the beginning is not the most fun part, but worth the effort!

the trip back to Luzern by ship.  the hike was on the hill above the town (Vitznau) on the left.

Rewind to Winter

 just when I thought winter was over... more cold and snow on Easter morning!

Visited Kyburg Castle this weekend.  Built around 1027 A.D!



Spring is here!

Weggis, Luzern

View over the city from Hönggerberg

Takin the dog for a walk on "Hönggerberg"

Cool Swiss toys at Pastorini Spielzeug Zurich