Getting back down to Earth

The tree line demarcation coincided with Bussalp. The village's vistas onto Shreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn and Eiger just about blew my mind. Then the über-steep switchbacks down through the evergreens just about blew my knees. My walking stick was well worth its weight in gold.


As I descended ever closer to the valley, two distinct sounds filled my ears. First, the rushing water in surround sound.Gorgeous! Next, cow bells...yep, fastened to bovine necks. It isn't a myth, they really do wear them. With topology like this, farmers often cannot see over the hillside into the next pasture so it all makes sense. Considering the terrain these cows call home, they must be the fittest bovine population of the face of the planet.


Except for Oya's absence, I'd call this a perfect day. The rain even held off until I'd strolled within 5 minutes of Grindelwald. Even then, showers only thicken the rich sweetness of the fresh mountain air. I wonder whether locals ever grow immune to the wildflower scent of home. Or does it take a trip to a large smelly city to underscore the point?