Gondola ride down the mountain

This was our first view of more than clouds. The best part of the ride down was watching the one in front of us suddenly pick up speed and drop out into the open air and the two of us freaking out momentarily as our own car had a burst in speed and we began the descent clutching hands and nervously laughing.

stripes on stripes on stripes

My souvenir from the mountain hike Chris went on.

On top of Pilatus, all covered in cloud

Once we reached the top of my mountain, all we could do was squint. The clouds were so bright around us! When the sun did break through on occasion it was so HOT at the top. I attempted to climb with Chris into the trails along the top but with the lack of sight of our surroundings beyond 3 feet, I just couldn't do it. So instead Chris took the camera and I'm turning this post over to him, in a manner of speaking:

The view looking straight up

p.s. If you read the title of this post in the sing-song "On top of Old Smooookyyyyyy..." then we would be friends. In all seriousness we probably already are, since you're reading this, (or maybe we're related) but hey, this would just prove it even more.

Cogwheel Train-ing up Mount Pilatus

Welcome to the steepest cogwheel train in the world with a 48 degree angled climb. I was actually a little grateful for all the cloud cover. It made the views a little lack luster but it also kept my heart in my chest and not in my stomach.

A real-live Swiss cow. Bell and all. We could hear the herd before we saw them so I understand the importance of those bells in the mountains. The rest of our ascent was covered in clouds so I'll wait until Monday to bring you more of the mountain. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, we will be in Florence until Monday afternoon with Mom and Dad Maloney!

Boating on Lucerne

We look up what to do each time before leaving for one of our weekend excursions. Before Lucerne, other than walking around the beautiful, tiny city, the main thing we found to do was to travel up to the peak of one of the surrounding mountains. We chose Mount Pilatus and bought the trip with a boat ride, cogwheel train, gondola and finally a bus included in the voyage. Today I'm taking you on our trip across the lake.

Canandaigua Yacht Club flashbacks. I love home.

Maybe this place should be the real dream vacation home...

It was just so beautiful, I loved being on the water. It felt so very New York Finger Lakes-y. 

Lucerne City Wall

We walked through the city to see its famous nine towers, eight of which are very tall and you can see the whole city from the walkway between them. The clouds parted for the rest of our trip after our time at Mount Pilatus. (Pilatus to come tomorrow)  

Look at the size of that wall!

Hello, dream vacation home.

Tomorrow morning Chris' parents will be walking through those sliding glass doors and we'll welcome them to Belgium! So very, very excited!