Europe 301 - Gimmelwald
In Zurich we picked up a rental car and drove the 122 miles to Gimmelwald, our first stop and test of Microsoft's AutoRoute 2006 software for Europe (using the GPS sensor that came with the U.S. Streets and Trips app). At times we got some great help from it, but at other times we were confused and needed to switch to other navigation methods like asking people. You can't rely on one method.
Click the small picture to see a photo story of the trip up the mountain to Gimmelwald, and Walter's hotel.
Click the audio link to sample the first cable car ride up to Walters, me huffing/puffing as I brought the luggage up, some rare quietness in the mountains, goats, a few of many waterfalls, more goats and cows and children and Swiss music at festivities in a big tent in Grindelwald.
The image shows the AutoRoute view. Click it for another look at the Gimmelwald area, this one scanned from a placemat used at breakfast. It's circled in red with an arrow pointing to it. This part of Switzerland has awesome scenery.
We parked in the cable car lot,
...and
We had fond memories of the place from our first time there over 20 years ago, and it hasn't changed.
One pleasant surprise was starting up our tablet PC in the middle of the alps and finding a good wireless connection. Tim, who lives in England, but hops over to assist Walter at times during the year, set it up and leaves it always on for free guest use.
rode it about 1,500 feet up the mountainside...
walked the rest of the way to Walter's hotel.