Another rainy day sent us to the Aareschlucht, or Aare River Gorge, near Meiringen. In Zürich we had boarded the 9:04 train to Luzern, where we switched trains to reach Meiringen, then hopped the small shuttle train to reach the Aareschlucht West. I had remembered walking through cave-like stone tunnels, so it seemed a good place to be, sheltered by mountain walls. Well, not exactly. Having forgotten from long ago that most of the 1.4 kilometer length is on overhanging walkways, I was grateful we had worn our rain gear. It was stunning just the same. And still awe-inspiring.

I was glad I chose to return to the Aare River, and seemed to find a photo op around every turn. The narrow Schräybach waterfall, the crisp Hasli eagle from the flag and seal of the Haslital carved into the cliff face, the almost foreboding cave entrances near the eagle leading into underground caverns built during the WWII era, the raging river itself. For many years I had remembered so vividly its icy mint green color, rushing down from mountaintop glaciers. It mattered not to me that it rained constantly while we were there, the natural majesty of the place was overwhelming. And I knew at the end we would be rewarded with a view of the alps and the Haslital, or Hasli valley. Okay, not so much on this rainy day; but I still remember the clear-day view from my maiden voyage through the gorge.

After ascending a very long flight of stairs at the Innertkirchen end of the walk, we ordered coffee and Pommes Frites (french fries) in a tiny, commercialized ticket office/deli counter. I would not recommend it. If the weather is good, turn around and walk back to Aareschlucht West, where a small restaurant awaits. Or, walk down to Innertkirchen and explore.

Once we descended to Innertkirchen, we discovered a bridge leading us over the Aare to the underground Aareschlucht Ost station, where a door in the mountainous wall opens when the next train running inside the tunnel stops. A button outside the tunnel allows one to alert the train that passengers are waiting. The train returned us to Meiringen.

Since Brienz was on my "list," my friend, Annelies, suggested we take a train further to Brienz, located on the northern shore of the Lake Brienz. The rain seemed to be easing, so we boarded the next train there. We were elated once we arrived. I would swear that I had never seen a lake look so . . . beauteous. (Look it up; I've decided it means both gorgeous and beautiful, for the lake was just that.)

The sun's rays warmed us as steam rose from the stone and gravel lakeside walkway. From the train platform, we walked the short distance to the virtually sparkling lake and then along the lake the length of the truly charming village. That brought us to the historical section of Brienz, and the orignal dark, wood chalet homes. Brienz was a joy. The unpopulated, forested hills across the lake make the homes on its shore very inviting for a true rest-and-relaxation sight.