Back to the United States

 Dawn and I realize that we are both Europhiles.  Does that make us less patriotic?  I don’t think so.... having served with the US military for almost fifty years.  But, we have seen enough to realize that there are many satisfying aspects to European life, and the US is no longer the “shining city on a hill”, or the land of freedom and individual liberty as it has been portrayed.

Another Covid test was required.to re-enter the US.  Upon arrival at the Zurich hauptbahnhof, we came upon a temporary testing station that had been set up, and the line was short.  So we signed up.  Again, sign-up required a download on our cell phone plus payment in cash, Swiss Francs.  But we got it done with negative readings!  And for less than half what we paid in Chicago. Here in Switzerland the trains run on time; in fact, everything works like clockwork. It makes our stay in Washington, DC, seem third world by comparison.

Bikes we rented at the SBB train luggage office.  It was Sunday and the other bike sources were closed. Look at how tranquil the water is.

Getting near the end of boating season, but this beautiful runabout was still on the water.

Having got the testing out of the way, we again rented E-bikes and pedaled to Rapperswil at the far end of Zürichsee, about 40 km. away. Receiving these bikes in the center of Zurich, we initially had to pedal through city traffic.  In Europe, bicycle rules are very strict; a 100 CHF fine for riding on the sidewalks.  When we previously had rented bicycles in Copenhagen, we were given a short course on rules for riding bikes in city traffic, so we had some knowledge.  About the same as driving a car..... with all the traffic signs in a foreign language.

What a beautiful church scene!  A cemetery with many flowers was next door.  Passing out of the city, we rode through a park promenade and then followed the shore except for side trips.

We rode the east shore of Lake Zurich and made a few stops along the way.  These statues look out across the lake at Meilen. We had very poor guidance on finding the optimum bike route.  With a more detailed map we could have done better.

 Our entire route this time was confined to bike lanes painted on the streets.  In places the streets are too narrow for bike lanes, and you have to trust the alertness of passing drivers. After a food stop (simple groceries enjoyed at a park bench overlooking the harbor) and exploring the local schloss (minor castle), we put our bikes on the train and relaxed going back to Zurich.

Rapperswil harbor with the schloss in the background.  We could have taken a boat back to Zurich but it would have been much slower.

The castle at Rapperswil.  It is a prominent landmark and had many visitors (perhaps because it was Sunday?)

 

Renting these bikes was not as easy as you might imagine.  We went to the TI (tourist information) and they referred us to the train luggage office.  The luggage clerk on duty said we needed to make a reservation online. It was late in the day, and we found the website confusing and unworkable. Next morning we went back to the TI for help. They also found the website to be unworkable. Thus, back to the train luggage office where a nice woman completed the paperwork and finally gave us E-bikes.

Will we come back here?  Dawn rates this as the best trip we have ever taken.  Nice, but I can fondly remember other enjoyable circumstances.  Comparisons can be like apples and oranges.  Our intentions are to return, but life has a way of introducing new circumstances to alter choices.

Hotel Adler where we stayed in Zurich.  This is only about four blocks from the hauptbahnhof.  Located on Rosengasse; "gasse" being another name for alley.  Very nice people.  They had held our initial room deposit for almost 18 months due to the trip delay.

A percussion band playing outside our hotel in the small open square.  We also got live music from the bar across the street "Splendid Bar".

Conclusions: 1) Weather was warmer than expected; 72-79 degrees rather than 65-72 as forecast. Packed too much warm clothing.  2) Almost everything can be paid for with a credit card, but we were fortunate to have the 100 CHF for our COVID tests.  3) Worthwhile to understand the train system; it is very convenient when fully understood.  Planning for a destination, you can not only know the timetable, but the train composition. Certain cars are arranged for children play areas, handicapped, dining, bicycle transport, scenic vista, and class 1 versus class 2.  Beforehand, you can know where to stand on the platform to enter each car type and how crowded it is likely to be.  Train stops may be for two minutes or less, so decisions need to be quick.