Fresh Summer Memories from the Swiss Alps

I’m very excited today, because last night we booked our flights to Venice for next month!!!  Unsurprisingly, this has not only got me reminiscing about my previous stays in what is probably my favourite city in the World (so far), but also the incredible Journeys there and back.

The first time I visited Venice was back in September, 2003 (pre Rich having a digital camera, by the way, so the photos in this post are scans). At the time we were living in Germany, and had driven down to Italy through Austria. On the way home we decided to take a different route, through the Swiss portion of the Alps.

We spent one particular night in the village of Altdorf, made famous by the legend of William Tell. Just after dawn the next morning, we said goodbye to Rich’s parents, who were taking a more direct route back to England, and set out to cross the twisting Klausen Pass.

The views as we wound up the switchbacks were breathtaking. The morning couldn’t have been more perfect. The sky was an incredible shade of blue. The air was crisp and fresh, if a little chilly.

I lost count of the waterfalls plummeting to the valley bottom, which got further and further away as we climbed.

And being so early in the day, the Moon was low in the sky, adding an extra element to the already stunning vistas.

Having reached the to the top of the pass at 1948 m (6391 feet), the only thing to do was drop over the edge and head down the other side.

Part way down we pulled off the road and wandered a short way along a stream up a side valley. The landscape was totally unspoiled. Up above we could see the glacier that fed the stream, and we simply couldn’t resist trying the water. It really doesn’t get any fresher than that!

We had one extra surprise before we left the Klausen Pass. Fresh milk coming up the road towards us!

This post is inspired by the themes Fresh (from Ailsa of Where’s My Backpack?), Summer Memories (From Nancy of Nancy Merrill Photography) and Extra, Extra (from Michelle of the Daily Post).

While you’re dreaming of the perfect fresh summer day in the mountains, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal, or through my website,  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?

And if that’s not enough for you, there are now three Jaspa’s Journey novels to enjoy as ebooks! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!