Swiss Alps as not Wilderness

A week into our Swiss bicycle adventure, we arrived in the foothills of the Alps.

Our first night in view of the Swiss alps, camping at Thun, we settled in for an exquisite sunset.  Illuminated in the 'alpen glow', the massive massifs gleamed in their whiteness, with shades of pinks and yellows and other colors that only Camille can see.

Then bling, BLING!  On went the lights.  First one summit.  Then another.  And a third.  Each light denoting a structure, a tower, a hut, a restaurant -- perched atop a singularly majestic peak.

So much for wilderness!  In the Swiss version, mountains are subdued for the benefit of the people who pay to ride cogs and trams to the top.

Not wild.  Comfortably remote maybe.

Wilderness4All: London Calling

Wilderness4All: London Calling

London Calling

...and we have answered

The Sun Giveth...

Hot sunrise over a once verdant land.
No green grass for cows.

Wild Droid

Lookout Wilderness!  I've installed the Blogger Droid app. No more 'unplug and go hiking' excuses for not blogging...  cool, check out this redwood tree...

Johnny Walker - Thank you for the memories

On the eve of my departure from San Diego, I spent the evening last night with my friend Johnny Walker (right in photo) and his wife Almarine.  Over the twenty-five plus years I've known Johnny, and the late Sam Hinton, my life has been enriched by their vast treasure-trove of folk music.  Johnny -- 'The Yorkshire Tyke' -- always brightened the room with his unique smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes.  Johnny is now lost to this world -- a victim of the memory-robbing ravages of Alzheimer's Disease.  Last evening I sang a few bars of 'The Manchester Rambler' to him, and recalled his oft-recited poem, 'Albert and the Lion'.  I like to think he heard me, and that some distant memories surfaced for him.  I know they did for me.

Thank you Johnny -- for the memories.

(photo:Chris Stauch, http://members.cox.net/sdfss/samhinton.htm)

Milk

Wise matron speaks
Young boy wonders
Why Holsteins give the best milk.