Gruyères: The Alpages

Des Alpages : Gruyères, CH

Yesterday, we went to Gruyères to meet some friends for lunch. We got a little lost and ended up caught in the annual Alpages where the Swiss bring their livestock down from the mountains for the winter. It was a beautiful day for it and it's always fun to see the Swiss holding on to their traditions in this 21st century world.

 All decked out... : Des Alpages : Gruyères, CH

These are definitely not filthy, stockyard American cows. These bovines have enjoyed summers in the high pastures and meadows of the Alps, eating grass and clover and soaking up the sun. If you're a cow in Switzerland, you're livin' the good life!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/11

Wanderung

Hiking in the Berner Oberland : First, CH

 After visiting Trümmelbach Falls, we left the Lauterbrunnen Valley and drove over to the neighboring Grindelwald Valley. From the town of Grindelwald, we caught a gondola and rode up to First, CH--nearly 8,000 ft above sea level (about 2,200 m ASL). On the return, we decided to hike back down to the station at Schreckfeld. Along the way, we passed hikers going up.

 A different view of the Jungfrau : First, CH

Typical Swiss Alpine scene--cows and mountains : First, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Cow contre-jour

We tried out a new walk on Friday. There's a new path that starts near Voltaire's chateau and ends at the fence surrounding the west side of Geneva's airport. Along the way, we passed a field full of bulls, cows, and calves. This little guy was pretty curious and came close to the fence. He looked so nice against the light (contre-jour), that I had to snap his photo.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/11

Impromptu Almabtrieb

Almabtrieb : Lauterbrunnen, CH

As we were packing up and preparing to settle our bill with the hotel, the cleaning lady came down the stairs and loudly pronounced, in English, "They're bringing the cows down from the mountain." Maya and I had been telling Rachel all about des Alpages (French) / Alpaufzug (Austria) / Almabtrieb (Swiss) and lamenting that her visit wouldn't coincide with events being held in Annecy, France, in October. Much to our delight, these smaller villages don't have an organized event and we were present for Lauterbrunnen's Almabtrieb this year! More pictures here. You can see last year's photos of the Alpages in Annecy here.

 Decorated for the trip down the mountain for the winter : Lauterbrunnen, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/10

Marcus u. Lucas

Marcus : Lausanne Cathedral : Lausanne, CH

One day, I'm going to take a course in Gothic architecture and the art and iconography that goes into these magnificent buildings. I managed to find Mark and Luke, but no Matthew and John. Maybe the next time I visit Lausanne, I'll succeed! In the meantime, here's what I want to know: are each of the apostles represented in cathedrals by their horoscope? Is that why Mark is a lion and Luke is a cow?

Lucas : Lausanne Cathedral : Lausanne, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/09

Black and White in Black and White

Black and White : On the road to Aarberg, CH

Hee hee...

Moo! Cow. Vache. Kuh. Vaca.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 07/09