Swiss engineering: wow

Bettmeralp, Switzerland

To begin yesterday's hike, we the Moosfluh gondola to the top where I learned that it was engineered to withstand a 10 meter (30 foot!) shift in elevation over the coming years. As the Aletscher Glacier recedes to the north, the mountain ridge next to the glacier is becoming more unstable and starting to shift downwards as the pressure from the glacier lessens (perhaps too simply put) so the Swiss are busy planning ahead. All around the gondola station we could see surveying tripods. But most impressively, this new station was planned to withstand a giant elevation shift. In fact, that part of the ridge shifted down by one meter (3 feet) just last year. These secondary effects of climate change are the kinds of things I had not even imagined. And it's hugely impressive that structures themselves can be engineered to adapt. Wow.

Tuesday and the fish go into the lake

Bettmeralp, Switzerland

It's one of the joyful and fascinating things about travelling that one discovers that there are completely different ways of doing things in different parts of the world. Today, as I strolled around Bettmersee (a decent-sized artificial lake above Bettmeralp) in the pouring rain, I remembered that today is Tuesday. According to V, that's the day when the fish are put into the lake--for folks with licenses to fish out over the coming week. I suppose that's the way it works in other artificial fishing locations, but something about the idea that "Tuesday is when the fish go into the lake" strikes me as a perfect metaphor for the organization and efficiency that is Switzerland. But definitely not a good morning to take advantage of the new batch of fish in the lake.

"Rösti" for dinner

Bettmeralp, Switzerland

After a trip up the mountain on the gondola to Moosfluh, we spent another day hiking down and across the mountain to Villa Cassel and then back via Riederalp to Bettmeralp. It was eight miles before we got back to the apartment, and I could hardly walk for all the descending. And what shall we have for a post-hike dinner.? V declared we should try a "rösti," a Swiss version of  what I would call a hash brown pancake. With raclette cheese and an egg, of course. A fine "mountain food" way to end a glorious day.

Kaffee und kuchen: Days 1-3

Bettmeralp, Switzerland

It's now Day 4 of my Swiss Alps adventure and the rain is now pouring down. BUT the first three days were spent wandering happily between Fischeralp and Riederalp in the sun, clouds, and occasional rain. And on each of those three days, we stopped for "kaffee und kuchen." Sprinkled throughout the area are delightful "hitta" at which one can sit out in the sun and enjoy coffee and cake--or a variety of food/beer etc. So three stops, one on each day, with coffee and cake--in the gorgeous and ever changing weather. Bliss.

Thomas returns!

Seattle, Washington

To celebrate a recent birthday, Thomas has made a return to this household. A fantastical creation in frosting, cake, and other decorations...by the birthday girl herself.

When the journey IS the destination

Seattle, Washington 

Today I attended a workshop south of Seattle which I enjoyed. However, the best part of the whole thing was the fantastic bike ride down to Tukwila on a sunny (but cold) spring morning. And then the ride home. And I am listening to an absolutely FANTASTIC book called "The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese. Not only are the writing and story itself a joy, the audiobook version is read by the author and that is another delight. I absolutely recommend it both for the story and the fascinating history lesson in South Indian history.

More "books on bikes":

• "The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese

31 miles

Spring riding!

Seattle, Washington

Days are getting longer though the weather is still as unpredictable as ever. But peak riding season is coming, and I am excited! Finished two "lite" thrillers in the past week or so--doesn't do much for the brain but the miles fly...oh, and a 3rd which I definitely enjoyed, but not a thriller...

More "books on bikes":

• "The Centre" by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
• "The Paris Apartment" by Lucy Foley
• "An Available Man" by Hilma Wolitzer

18 miles--a short one!