Run Fox Run

…to be more precise, we jumped into several lakes during our recent wonderful trip to Italy and Switzerland. In Italy we stayed with Grandma Lynn and Papa at a lovely, large house in Lesa on Lake Maggiore. We explored the Lake’s islands and sites — including some fantastic gardens that clearly thrive in the hot weather — and cooled off in the Lake and the pool. Lake Maggiore is the larger, but less busy, neighbor of Lake Como, home to the famous Bellagio, where we disappointingly found neither choreographed fountains nor craps tables. As Papa George reminded me, Lake Maggiore is also home to Stresa, just north of Lesa, where the hero of Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms recuperates, and we found its lakeside cafes quite well-suited to rest, relaxation, and rehabilitation.

Hikers at Oeschinensee

After a terrific week in Lesa, we drove north to Switzerland through a gorgeous alpine pass. For the last leg of the drive we were actually on a “car train” which carries a single line of cars, with passengers sitting inside, through a tunnel to our next home in Kandersteg. From this home base we took day hikes that began with an assist from a gondola or funicular to get us several hundred meters UP so that we could enjoy a more leisurely stroll through cow pastures and around pristine (if chilly) lakes. The landscapes were unbelievably dramatic, the architecture quintessentially “Swiss,” the wildflowers colorful.

After a day in Bern to see the fine collection at the Kunstmuseum (note to Lance: Kunst is German for art) and explore the city, we saw one last picturesque lakeside town: Luzern. Here, our engineering hearts warmed to the sight of the compound steam engine on our ferryboat and to the many wonders of the Verkershaus (Transport Museum). Through it all, we enjoyed great company, good meals, always preceded by a glass or two of Prosecco. Lots of photos are in the Italy-Swiss Album.  Thanks to Grandma Lynn and Papa for sharing a great trip with us!