Descending From Mount Rigi

The rack railway down the mountain passed through several small groups of houses. These two small swiss girls were standing beside the track at one of those places. Though cloudy, we got some nice views coming down, and could look down on the town of Vitznau on Lake Lucerne where we had docked on the steamer from Lucerne. June 2, 1967

Steamer on Lake Lucerne

We caught the paddle-wheeled Lake Lucerne Steamer at 8:50 AM at Seeburg, a short walk from our campsite. The sky overhead was clear, but most of the mountains were obscured by cloud. Nevertheless, the lake was very pretty. The green mountainsides at the water's edge were dotted with houses, many of the chalet type construction. The trip was enlivened by a group of about 20 Swiss girl scouts who were singing and cutting up near the bow of the boat. Through breaks in the clouds we could see and occasional snowcap peak. June 2, 1967

The Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland

Below is a view of the Chapel Bridge and Lucerne from the lake steamer. Underneath the bridge roof are 100 paintings. At left is a dark view of one of them. June 2, 1967

Steamer Pulling Out From Lucerne

We caught a paddle-wheeled Lake Lucerne Steamer like this at 8:50 AM at Seeburg, a short walk from our campsite. We had traveled to Vitznau and had taken the rack railway to the top of Mount Rigi. We had now returned to Lucerne and were watching this scene late in the afternoon. June 2, 1967

Pair of Grebes on Lake Lucerne

After returning on the Lake Lucerne steamer from Mount Rigi, we walked back to the campsite at Seeburg, which is about 2 miles from the steamer port in Lucerne. It was a pleasant walk along the lakeside through several parks. I saw a pair of coots building a nest in the reeds and saw about 15 grebes or divers. I got to see part of the mating ritual of the divers. They swim toward each other with necks arched until their beaks almost touch. Then the male went through some antics.

Later I walked back to the park, about 200 yards from the camp. The sky had cleared and I got a magnificent view of Mt. Pilatus, framed against the twilight sky. A family of swans, a pair with about five little ones, was playing around in the water. June 2, 1967