Grimselpass to Locarno
All too soon, it was
time to leave Brienz
and begin our journey
south to Locarno.
time to leave Brienz
and begin our journey
south to Locarno.
Our poor van was
already loaded for
bear - and it was
only three days into
the trip. We hoped
it would survive.
already loaded for
bear - and it was
only three days into
the trip. We hoped
it would survive.
We passed through
many of these small
villages on our trip.
Every one had its own
church with a prominent
steeple towering above
the other buildings.
many of these small
villages on our trip.
Every one had its own
church with a prominent
steeple towering above
the other buildings.
These are not small
mountains. The steep
grades require lots of
switchbacks to reach
the top.
mountains. The steep
grades require lots of
switchbacks to reach
the top.
This road reminded
us of the Beartooth
Highway in Montana.
us of the Beartooth
Highway in Montana.
We saw lots of
hydro-electric dams
along the way. The
Swiss take full
advantage of their
natural resources to
make energy.
hydro-electric dams
along the way. The
Swiss take full
advantage of their
natural resources to
make energy.
These high voltage
lines carry the juice
to where it is needed.
lines carry the juice
to where it is needed.
The higher we climb
on the mountains, the
more breathtaking
the scenery becomes.
on the mountains, the
more breathtaking
the scenery becomes.
We encountered
some sheep along
the way as they get in
some last minute
grazing before the
heavy snows come.
some sheep along
the way as they get in
some last minute
grazing before the
heavy snows come.
This one is already
developing a good
winter coat.
developing a good
winter coat.
The mountain roads
are not for sissies
or those who get
motion sickness
easily.
are not for sissies
or those who get
motion sickness
easily.
Martha looks back when
we stop for a rest break,
and says, "Did we really
do that?"
we stop for a rest break,
and says, "Did we really
do that?"
We quickly noticed
the Italian influence
on architecture and
language after we
crossed over to the
southern side of the
Alps.
the Italian influence
on architecture and
language after we
crossed over to the
southern side of the
Alps.
We had rooms at the
Hotel Camelia in
Locarno. This was a
very nice hotel.
Hotel Camelia in
Locarno. This was a
very nice hotel.
The courtyard was
quite inviting. We ate
breakfast there every
morning.
quite inviting. We ate
breakfast there every
morning.
The view of Lake
Maggiore was very
nice too.
Maggiore was very
nice too.
Soon we reached the
top at Grimselpass.
top at Grimselpass.
We had a light lunch at
the restaurant there.
They still look happy.
That is a good sign.
the restaurant there.
They still look happy.
That is a good sign.
Locarno is the "Florida"
of Switzerland. Its
temperate weather
makes it an attractive
vacation area.
of Switzerland. Its
temperate weather
makes it an attractive
vacation area.
Martha types an
e-mail to Audra to let
her know we are all
well and having fun.
e-mail to Audra to let
her know we are all
well and having fun.
Sonja's sister, Ingrid, and
her husband, Luigi, live
here. They took us to a
wonderful restaurant
that evening, and Terry
got to ride in Luigi's 1952
model military Jeep.
her husband, Luigi, live
here. They took us to a
wonderful restaurant
that evening, and Terry
got to ride in Luigi's 1952
model military Jeep.
Jasmine, Luigi and
Ingrid's daughters,
Alessandra, and
Daniella, with Terry
in the back.
Ingrid's daughters,
Alessandra, and
Daniella, with Terry
in the back.
Manuel and Terry
found out they should
be brothers. They are
only 3 months apart in
age and have more in
common than most
brothers.
found out they should
be brothers. They are
only 3 months apart in
age and have more in
common than most
brothers.
Manuel made this
close-up photo of
Martha. He is the
best driver that we
have ever seen, and
he is an outstanding
photographer too.
(MB)
close-up photo of
Martha. He is the
best driver that we
have ever seen, and
he is an outstanding
photographer too.
(MB)