Day #210 - Lucerne, Switzerland

Chapel Bridge - Lucerne

Chapel Bridge - from the other side

Lion Monument

Scenic walking paths

Railway to Mt. Rigi

Sunday, October 10th

Today I took a 45 minute train ride from Zurich to Lucerne (Luzern), Switzerland. Lucerne is located just about in the middle of the country. I've had a chance to tour the west coast and southern portion of Switzerland a few months back. Now, I'm taking the next couple days to tour the northern and eastern portion of the country.

The city of Lucerne is just at the northern edge of the Alps. It sits on Lake Lucerne. The city is a fantastic place to walk around. Actually, I've just read this, TripAdvisor voted the city of Lucerne as the 5th most popular tourist destination IN THE WORLD in 2010. (Strong statement)

Every town or city I visit, I always remember a site or image that will be my take-away. Today - it will be the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke). This is a 14th century, wooden bridge that spans over the channel connecting both sides of the city. Part way across the bridge sits the 13th century water tower. Really awesome site. I walked across the bridge. Inside, there are all these interesting paintings which depict some of the history of Lucerne.

Another really unique site in town is the Lion Monument. There is this huge lion that has been carved in stone on the side of this cliff. It's located in a park a nice walking distance from the center of town. This monument is said to commemorate the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution.

I walked up and down both sides of the lake. What incredible scenery. I know this - because today the skies were overcast (no blue at all) - and I still thought the sites were amazing. They have a really nice, tree-lined, walking path on one side of the lake. You pass by the big casino in town, along with several of the marque hotels.

Late afternoon, I decided to take a boat ride on the Lake. With my Eurail pass, it was free. Outstanding! This is rare - usually city boats like this would require me to pay. I decided to take the 1-hour shuttle down to the town of Vitznau. This is a small town with great access to Mt. Rigi. Mt. Rigi is a 5,896-foot mountain that overlooks Lake Lucerne. From Vitznau, you can take the cog railway to the peak. Then, you can take another railway and aeriel cable car combination to the town of Weggis. Then - a boat ride back into Lucerne. I didn't do all this - I just toured the city of Vitznau - which, if you need a place to stay other than Lucerne, this is the place.

I then took the train back to Zurich arriving around 8pm. A tram to my hotel - and I'm just about ready to call it a night. Tomorrow morning I'm going to have breakfast with a girl from one of the hospitals I worked at in Minnesota. My friend Jan has once again come through with this connection. The world is an extremely small place. If you look hard enough - I almost guarantee that you know someone (a friend of a friend of a friend) in places all around the world. That reminds me - If anyone out there knows someone in/near Dubuque, Iowa (close to site of Field of Dreams - Dyersville) -- I need to pay it forward - please let me know your connection.

Until tomorrow - throw on a pair of Rose-Colored Glasses (John Conlee) - "shows only the beauty" (YouTube worthy)

Don't sweat what we can't control. Keep the faith.