Grapes

Ripe grapes on a vine are more beautiful and temping than photos, especially of this size, can allow, but we will try.


The aroma of the sun on the grapes was intoxicating. Some were transluscent,

those in the shadows were cool and inviting,
and some seemed to know there destiny and just sparkled.The signs of autumn are the vines themselves.

It was an incredibly fun day, crisp and clear, and the breeze kept the bees at bay. Walking the village vineyards seemed like the perfect Swiss thing to do.
Actually, the Swiss do not export any wine; we are told there is not enough. With vines in every nook and cranny in our part of the country, this cannot seem possible, but it is. Happily, this leaves the world market to the French who seem to be able to make enough wine for us all.

Bois de Chêne: The Birch forest in its autumn splendor

These woods are lovely, dark and deep.

They hold treasures that can only be discovered on a quiet walk...




Most of which, according to my research, are pretty deadly,

all of which were left undisturbed.
And with one last bloom of summer color.

Desaples 2008: Mind the Poo

Desalpes starts, as usual, with lovely displays of Swiss pride in mountain villages.

Let's begin with yummy .....
creamy warm milk and
bubbling hot caramel a la crème.


Then the villagers lead the cows down from the mountains,


people and cows in their desaples finery.


And this year, bopping, fluffy sheep too!
Then the party begins!

music, music, music.

Even the bell ringers get to relax.

The vendors display their handmade Desalpes goods,
in the magical, mountain villages all over Switzerland.

And check out this interesting video we took of some boys playing music from another mountainous place, Colorado!

Supercars!!

We have been accumulating photos of Supercars during our adventure in Switzerland. There are a LOT of them--too many to put into this blog directly.

So I direct you to our Picassa web album of Supercars, here.

A stroll at La Dôle

La Dôle is a peak in the Jura mountain range which borders France and Swizerland. It has an altitude of 1677.2 meters. The northwest face provides skiing in the winter.


And in the spring and summer, it is full of grazing cows.

There is a fence, but it is to keep the cows out of the parking lot and that is all. Walkers and cows share the same meadows and paths!

In the far background is Lake Geneva and a hint of the surrounding city. Beyond are the Alps.

Sterling enjoyed the enormity of the place,
and the vistas are spectacular!