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Switzerland/Italy Trip
Friday, Sep 5
Today the sun was shining again. I didn't sleep well last night, still not on Europe time. I feel asleep finally about 5:00 am, then didn't wake up until 11:00 am. It'll take a few more days to feel normal.
We drove up the valley to eat lunch and take a hike. We ate lunch at the Restaurant Horbis, Ende der Welt. It's a popular place and the last restaurant at the top of the valley where the road ends. We had sausages, and I had Rösti again, which helped sustain me during our long hike.
Restaurant Horbis, Ende der Welt
After lunch we hiked up the mountain on a narrow, beautiful, quiet trail. It was a 3-hour hike and rather aerobic, but very enjoyable. We crossed a glacier-fed stream and took the opportunity to cool off and rest. We also saw a wild chamois, which is sort of like a goat, and could hear the constant tinkling of cow and sheep bells. The pastures were full of all sorts of flowers, including bluebells and edelweiss. We saw luminescent blue and green beetles and tiny snails everywhere.
When we returned from our hike, we spent a lot of time at the spa in the saline pool. It felt so good after all the walking! What a fantastic way to relax. Dinner was at the hotel, and it was fabulous. I had a medallion of Angus beef, with asparagus wrapped in bacon, while Pat had duck.
Climbing up the mountain
Crossing a mountain stream
A view from our hike
Passing through one of the many sheep gates along the trail
Resting alongside the trail
A beautiful wild chamois. At first Pat though it was a "jackalope."
Picking wild raspberries along the trail
At the top of the mountain. Engelberg valley is below.
The views sure were gorgeous! The inclines made us dizzy.
A pretty waterfall in the glacier stream.
We both enjoyed cooling off a bit at the stream.