November 30, 2023 - Switzerland 10.22.23, day twenty.  Sunday in Arlesheim, a day of rest and packing for our long journey home to Wolf tomorrow.

November 29, 2023 - Switzerland 10.21.23, day nineteen, part 2.  A stop on the trip back to Arlesheim for lunch in the town of Thusis Switzerland.  A fountain dated 1473, and tantalizing glimpses of the hidden Alps.

 

November 28, 2023 - Switzerland 10.21.23, day nineteen, part 1.  Stayed the night in Splugen in a hotel constructed in 1722 of large granite blocks and massive timbers.  A morning drive up Splugenpass into Italy in the continuing rain and wind.

 

November 27, 2023 - Switzerland 10.20.23, day eighteen.  A three and a half hour road trip in heavy, unrelenting rain to the town of Splugen in southern Switzerland, just five miles from the Italian border.  The downpour filled the many creeks and rivers along our way.  They are all tributaries of the Rhine River.  Uncut slate shingle roofs are common in the region.  Splugen in the rain.

 

November 26, 2023 - Switzerland 10.19.23, day seventeen.  Misty morning in Arlesheim.  Three Roe Deer in the hills above the village in the afternoon.

 

November 25, 2023 - Switzerland 10.18.23, day sixteen.  A rainy afternoon and a rare duck at the Botanical Gardens between Arlesheim and Basel.  Ring-necked Teal native to South America, and a Tufted Duck. 

 

November 24, 2023 - Switzerland 10.17.23, day 15.  During our stay in Switzerland we shared a second story apartment in a building built in 1681 AD for the Bishop of the Arlesheim Cathederal as the rectory.  The stone walls are two feet thick, the attic timbers are massive; one floor board is 27-1/2" wide and many are over 24" wide.

November 23, 2023 - Switzerland 10.16.23, day fourteen, Basel Zoo part 2.  I love watching the animals at the zoo: each unique, and beautiful.  Zebra, Sable Antelope, Cheetah, and a gorgeous Snow Leopard.

   

November 22, 2023 - Switzerland 10.16.23, day fourteen, part 1.  A cold morning at the Basel Zoo.  Rare geese: Nene, Bar-headed, Red-breasted and Barnacle Geese.

 

November 21, 2023 - Switzerland 10.15.23, day thirteen.  The Basilisk, a creature from an old fable, is the symbol of the city of Basel.  He has a rooster's head and a serpent's tail.  There are a number of Basilisks around the city, as well as other beautiful sculptures.  Basilisk, Chamois, Horse, "Burghers of Calais" by Auguste Rodin.

 

November 20, 2023 - Switzerland 10.14.23, day twelve, part 2.  Kandersteg, Oeschinensee (Ocean Lake), and a few hours of sunshine.  Kandersteg is the village in the Alps below Oeschinensee.  The lake is stunning.

November 19, 2023 - Switzerland 10.14.23, day twelve, part 1.  Blausee (Blue Lake) in the Alps on a very rainy morning.  Crystal clear blue water, very large Rainbow Trout, a mermaid, and verdant forest.