Ascent to Mt. Pilatus

After a good night's rest we woke up this morning with rain still in the area.   We glad to see the Morris' who arrived last night from Venice.  Also good to see the Hashs' and Griffins' who were already in Lucerne.  After breakfast the most hardy and adventurous of us left to meet our guide who led us to the main railroad station, where we took the short bus ride to Kriens to begin our day's adventure: traveling up in the panoramic gondolas that carried us up 7000 feet to Oberhaupt, the summit of Mt. Pilatus.  Actually the summit was another short hike. The views of the alpine meadows and mountain streams, perhaps even thinking of Heidi, were spectacular, even with the fog and rain!

Grandaughter and Group Leader ascending to Mt. Pilatus 

The view from the Gondola

Mt. Pilatus, by the way, was so named because (a) ancient Roman governor Pontius Pilate was rumored to have been buried there, or (b) it resembles the belly of a large man (perhaps Pilate) lying on his back - depending on which local legend you believe! After lunch, the decent to Alpnachstad on the world's steepest cogwheel railway with a gradient of 48% was amazing if not just a little scary, we took a boat ride across the lake back to Lucerne.

Cogwheel Railway Station

We had free time to explore Lucerne's old town called Alstadt.  It's narrow cobblestone streets that lead to centuries old buildings painted with frescoes; the Kappelbrücke (Chapel Bridge), a covered wooden footbridge dating back to the 1330s (rebuilt after a fire in 1993), with an octagonal water tower that was once used as a prison; picturesque squares like the Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz; and the iconic Lion Monument, honoring the Swiss mercenaries who lost their lives during the French Revolution.

Chapel Bridge

Lion Monument

Restaurant in Altstadt (Old Town)

And a typical cheese fondue dinner in Lucerne, so touristy!  But a good plan some of us think!

Fondue and Toast!

A Full Day in Lucerne

Finally we arrive at our Renaissance Hotel, which  is right behind the century-old façade of the historic City Palais. This Renaissance Lucerne is the smallest Renaissance hotel, but likely the most elegant.  Our weary group of travelers were ready to check in, and perhaps lie down on the bed after so many hours of traveling.  

Renaissance Hotel

A Room at the Renaissance

A few others decided to walk around the area, and see the Chapel Bridge, (a covered wooden bridge built as a fortification for Lucerne I 1333, destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1993), and the Water Tower, which marked where the waters of the Lake Lucerne flow into the River Reuss and one time served as a dungeon), and marvel at Mt. Pilatus in the background.

Lake Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus

Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

We ate on our own in groups at different outdoor restaurants within view of the Chapel Bridge along the Vierwaldsteattersee (Four Forested-Cantons Lake). A terrific rain storm blew in and we had to scramble into taxis to get back to the hotel. Time to get some much needed rest, I think, to be ready for our big adventure tomorrow.