Monday: Highs and Lows!

Well, the game was such a disappointment :-(, but it was still fun to watch! Good effort by the USA women. We had planned our day trip to Switzerland (Luzern) today, but when we checked the forecast in the morning, we decided to give up on it. It was iffy, 30% chance of rain, but when we looked at the live webcam on the top of mount Pilatus, the visibility was nil, just clouds! We were not prepared to drive another 2 hours or more south just to see fog and no Alps! Also, the temperature on top of Pilatus was 1 degree C, just over freezing, with sleet falling in the morning.

Instead, we decided to take a local hike. It was one of the shortest hikes outlined in a local hiking guide starting in our village, taking us to the highest peak in the region, the Todtenkopf. It is the location of the local TV tower and there was also an observation tower. The weather locally was nice, in the upper 60s or so.

you can see the radio tower in the background

We started out thinking it would take 1 1/2 or 2 hours, but it ended up taking us more like 4!! The incline was wicked at times, but it was gorgeous and we had a great time. We just wished we would have brought some water! Most of the hike was through the vinyards, but parts of it were in the woods.

the observation tower at the top of Totenkopf, 557m elevation

Ben running back down the hill!

another view of the peak on our way back down

We figured we walked about 6 km total, maybe 4 miles, quite a long walk in the hills! We gained about 330 meters of elevation from bottom to top of our hike.
After lunch, we hooked up with my brother Klaus and his wife and baby and drove to Breisach together. This town was only 15 or 20 minutes away and is on the Rhine river. Across the river is France! We took a nice walk, then had some coffee and ice cream at a cafe.

in Breisach

The Rhein river taken from across the bridge in France!

walking in Breisach

Then, for supper, we got together with David and his new wife and baby Bela for a nice supper. Even though it was chilly we sat outside on a patio for supper.

We were disappointed we did not make it to the swiss alps, but this was still a pleasant day!