Mountains,- Grindelwald
Monday, April 20, 1903
We were the first travelers since Saturday's snowfall. The Grotto (ince tunnel) had been curt into the solid Ice of the Glacier about 150 ft or more deep, 10 feet high and 6 feet wide.- It never melts – Took several photos.
On the way up the mountain, went into a building containing school room, at the noon hour, there were 4 little boys and one girl- the desk resembled those of years ago, like America, and were cut and carved in genuine boyish fashion- a tuning fork on the teacher's desk and a small Estey organ to lead the singing- We photo several of the children at the side entrance –
On our return, we entered a native Swiss cottage, hams and meat were hanging in the kitchen, where they had been smoked. The stove , built of stone, ran through the partition and warmed (the) room where the family lived and slept- (everything nice and clean, but poor). It was built so that one could sit on the stove so as to get warm, as it would retain heat all night.
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An Australian Lady and Daughter (Mrs. Fyans) were passing when we entered the house and also came into the house. We photo the entire party afterwards in front of the house, including Grand Pa, daughter and her children. |
Also photo a mountaineer with his Alpine stalk and basket on his back.
The Guide accompanied Mrs. F & daughter back to the Grotto, and we descended alone to the station- met some Swiss children stopped in the village Church, wrote postcards at Hotel and returned to Interlaken by 6 p.m. Cabled to Phila. inquiring why we had not response to our cable on Saturday. Had a good appetite for our 7 p.m. dinner at the Victoria hotel.
This was a bright, matchless day- mountain scenery grand, and sublime- We would not have missed the trip for anything- Took 13 photos today- As Dr. S is now in bed, I must go, too- 10.30 p.m. Monday, 04.20.04.
Tuesday, April 21, 03
Interlaken , Victoria Hotel
Arose at 7, shaved, breakfast at 8, went to Thos Cooks, post office, telegraph to Mr. Yourstone & made purchases at Swiss store and left by Boat for 1 ¼ hour ride on the Lake to Brienz, the station that we took the car to Luzerne- at Meiringen, the train began to ascend the “Bruenig Pass,” the grade was very steep, and the rails were supplemented by cogs in the center of track- the view grew increasingly grand and at times even sublime- the outlook was over the valley, with lake and nestling villages and we were soon in the realm of snow.
Stopped at 20 mins for dinner at the Summit of the mountain (Bruenig 3,000 ft above sea level)
The descent to Luzerne was as grand as that from Bruens. In our compartment there was a Mother with Son and Daughter, the latter 50 years old. All seemed the embodiment of “Selfishness,” none willing to give the others the best privileges of the fine view- there were also a young Swiss Bride & Groom from Zurich, married yesterday- they could speak no English, had seats on side of car, where there was no outlook- we invited them to share out windows and Dr. S talked German to them.
He made them very happy and we greatly enjoyed their company- they were on their way to Como - Arrived at Luzerne 3.45 p.m. went to the Victoria hotel then to Thos Cooks & Son, rec'd cable and package shirts for Dr. S- Hired carriage and took a two hours drive through the city and along the lake, both of which we greatly enjoyed, and returned to the Hotel for a good dinner 7.30 p.m., wrote postcards and retired 9.30 p.m..
Luzerne , Switzerland
Victoria Hotel , Tues, April 21, 03
Weds, April 22
The morning did not promise well for a clear day, but we decided to make the ascent of the Rigi Mountain , 6,000 ft above the sea. We left Luzerne by boat 9.25 a.m. for Vitzman, arrived there 10.15 (pleasant ride on the lake, amid snow-capped Mountains, and the temperature not unpleasant).
We sat on deck with comfort. We ascended the mountain by train, which ran on central cogs, was up a very steep grade all the way (see P/c sent home) and the train moved at the rate of not more than 4 miles an hour, the total ascent is 9 miles, but the train stopped about 3 miles short of the of the Summit, or Rigi-Kulm.
We met an Englishman (Colonel Turner from the Army in India- 56 years old, retired) and together hired a Guide for the remainder of the ascent to 5 francs ($1.00)for about one mile the track was clean, then we passed the snow shoveling Gang of about 25 men and then made our way over the snow. At first about 3 or 4 ft deep but later 10 ft or more deep.
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Guide, Great Grandfather and Col Turner, Late of the Indian Army. The guide walked right rapidly, and as the snow frequently broke beneath our weight- the ascent was laborious, and at times dangerous along the ledges, where the snow descended hundreds of feet into the Valley beneath. |
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Reached the Summit at 12.15noon, had dinner of large veal cutlets & potatoes, and began the descent at 1.15 p.m., after looking around from the top floor of the Hotel which one accomplished in about 50 minutes.
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Near the summit of the Rigi Mountain, looking off to the Mountains 50 Miles Away |
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All the way up, the ascent, the view was sublime, including peaks in Germany , France and with all the larger peaks in Switzerland in view. I thought the ride and view yesterday were the finest I ever say, but I think those of today surpass them.
When ascending the Rigi 6,000 ft high, Dr. S plucked some pretty Blueflowers at the side of the RR track and gave to each of the RR passengers, among them was a Bride & Groom from Germany , with whom we became acquainted during the descent of the mountain by train. They had been married “four days” ago, and were on their way to Milan & Venice- they understood but little English, but Dr. S talked some German with them. They figured in the photo taken during the Day-
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Returning from Rigi: Bride, Groom Col Turner in Line |
We returned to Luzerne in the eve, packed and Expressed a box to London , visited the Cathedral, and graves decorated with flowers, wreathes, etc.
Enjoyed our dinner 7.30 at the Victoria , and retired early- we have not been out any in the evenings since we left home. We leave in the morning for Milan , Italy .
“White edelweiss Flowers.”
