Through the Swiss Alps

Hi all--today the guys did a loop through the Swiss Alps with spectacular views. You can see Vern at the top of Furka pass. We stay in Andermatt tonight and then on to Lenzerheide. As you can see the weather is cooperating, which is a blessing. I took a bus tour of the same loop (took about 5 hours) so I didn't ride the sag van today. The third picture is the glacier at the top of Furka Pass. Took the picture of the guy at the top of Gotthardpass--just want to comment that the scarf does not help the outfit. Love to all, K and V

Kemmeriboden to Andermatt

Had a wonderful day yesterday--a fairly mild (for Thomson) ride of about 125K and 8000 feet of climbing, ending in Kemmeriboden. At the top of Gurnigal pass you could see Interlaken and the Jungfrau. They were having a Swiss wrestling tournament at the hotel (don't ask--I have no idea--perhaps wrestling cows?) so there were lots of people. The countryside is beautiful; and on Sunday, all the Swiss are out recreating! The top picture is of our hotel in Andermatt; we've gone from French-speaking Switzerland to German-speaking Switzerland. Needless to say, everything is immaculate! We could learn a few lessons! Vern is riding very well and I'm sure is pumped for all the passes today. We stay in Andermatt for 2 nights, so tomorrow I'm going on a bus tour of the surrounding passes instead of riding in the sag van. (So does SAG stand for Support and Groan?) The tour is on the Swiss Post Bus, and stops at one of the glaciers in the area. Love to all, V and K

The Bike Ride Begins!

Hello all--drove down to Geneva today to return the rental car and meet the Thomson Tour group. They're just doing a warm-up ride today (90 mins. or so) and then tomorrow the fun begins. Weather kind of iffy, but no rain. Hopefully we'll get more sun tomorrow. A great group of riders (about 29 in all) with a couple folks we've met on previous Thomson Tours. Pictures of Vern, Jim and Lindy (all from previous rides) and Dane from the Bay Area. The other picture is of the B group (!). Yes, Vern decided to go B (perhaps just for the warm up ride) but if looks meant fast, the A group riders look pretty fast. Please keep all comments regarding Vern's choice of group both uplifting and encouraging. Love to all! V and K

Visit to Aigle Castle

Hi all--we had a great day yesterday--took a road trip to Aigle Castle, built in the 12th century. It even had a torture chamber! (no, the torture was not Mike leading up the hill, or him turning around to find Vern still there!). Had lunch on the terrace at the castle (see dessert picture above). Vern getting antsy for the bike ride, what a surprise! We've had great weather--some rain, but at night. Hope all is well at home--we send God's blessings to all! V and K

Lovely Charmey!

We have no wifi at the chalet, so we have to go to the nearest hotel to post. You can see the view from our deck above. The weather has been great! Yesterday we went up the mountain on the "Rapido Skyway" where Vern decided to go parasailing by jumping off the top of the mountain! He didn't feel he needed any instruction, so it was pretty exciting. (ha, ha). He also ran into some "attack cows" on his bike ride; he held them at bay with a stern look learned from his Portuguese forefathers. Today we're going to Aigle Castle. By the way, there are some very cool things in Europe: mustard and laundry detergent in a tube, people pass on the left and then return to the right lane, and you weigh your produce on a scale in the market, put in the produce code, and it gives you a sticker indicating the full price!

Arrived safely!

Hi all--the blogs will be scarce this week, as we have very intermittent wifi. We had a great trip over--travel mercies for sure--and got settled in our chalet in Charmey (surely there's a song title in that!). Vern's bike got here safely (the most important thing!) and he went for his first ride today. The weather is beautiful, and our chalet has cows outside (across the road) with cow bells--very typical Switzerland. Charmey is a very small town (about 1800 people) and quite charming. Can you imagine?? The grocery store is closed on Sundays! So, we've been eating out and snacking on stuff we took from the Air France business class lounge. Vern was mortified, but I have no shame when it comes to snacks! Love to all!