Assuming we make it back to NYC tomorrow, Tuesday, this will be my final post of the trip. I am currently sitting in Canada – Toronto to be more precise. Canada?! No, visiting Canada was NOT part of our plan but as traveling goes, one must be prepared for anything it seems. Shortly before we headed out to the airport Saturday morning we learned our flight was cancelled and rebooked for the next day, Sunday leaving mid-day with a transfer in Toronto. With our Airbnb stay over we scrambled to find a hotel and made new plans for the day. I had been longing to go for another hike before leaving and had hoped to hike Friday. However, with thunderstorms in the area I couldn’t go and maybe it was for the better because my friend Maggie needed to spend another un-planned night with us because her flight to the UK was cancelled on Thursday night. So…on Friday, Maggie and I enjoyed a workout at a local track with a 1/4 mile loop, local breakfast and toured the city via foot some more and did a bit of shopping. While we enjoyed the sun and blue skies – I was questioning where those thunderstorms had been and felt bummed out to miss a day of hiking. Well, I guess this all goes to show you, be careful what you wish for. So, when our flight was cancelled and we suddenly found ourselves with 24 more hours in Zurich so I threw on my gear, and repacked my bag for an adventure. Obi and I ventured to the Zurich main station. We split up at this point, me to the mountains and Obi to the hotel for the luggage drop. He ended up spending the day in the Google office working a bit, even though it was a Saturday.
I on the other hand had a magnificent hike – I did not have time to plan so I ventured back to a hike I had wanted to repeat, hiking to the Legler Mountain hut. It’s just about 2 hrs. to reach the trail head which includes a 40 minutes bus ride up a narrow mountain pass. The sky was deep grey and I could taste the rain in the air. Imagining ringing out the air like you would a wet t-shirt – seeing water drip down your palms. Sure enough, reaching the trail head, it was drizzling and the skies were brewing. Unsure of what mother nature had in store for me, I took the shorter way up – and surprisingly shaved an hour off the expected trail time. Reaching the summit in 1 hr. and 20 minutes. I wish there was an Olympic sport for hiking:)
There was one point on the hike in which so much fog billowed up the side of the mountain cliff I could only see a few meters ahead of me. I crave that feeling on the trail, slightly scary, unknown, haunted and eerie. The air so fresh a sensory experience hard to replicate anywhere else. Can you see the fog rolling in behind me?
The last time I reached this summit, I noticed a man heading even further up, along a blue alpine trail. I could see it’s end point and choosing to ignore the ongoing rolling fog and mist – and began this short extra excursion. Given the dampness in the air and ground, I jumped for joy upon meeting my new friend.
The frog was very photogenetic as you can see and struck a beautiful pose among the Alpine Lady’s Mantle (thank you Will for the plant ID). This trail was narrow and steep but with each step I was too tempted to reach the top so, I kept at it. It took me about 25 minutes to find the highest point. I would attach a photo finish but honestly with the thick fog, there was nothing more to see, other than the ground I stood on.
I returned to Zurich city center, met Obi, we checked into the hotel (teeny tiny room) and then headed out for some food. After dinner Obi wanted to walk over a bridge that expands across the train tracks of the main station. The sun was setting and the gentle rumble of the trains comforted me.
Like an airport, approximately every 50 seconds a train would chug along pulling into one of the 10 outdoor platforms or divert underground to the other platforms for local trains. The above ground trains go further distances. On the bridge Obi struck up a conversation with another person who happens to be originally from Michigan and is a Google employee – he also knew a lot about the trains – (and happened to work on a similar related team as Obi!).
Sunday morning included a quick walk to a local bakery I wanted to try and then to the airport. Anxiously we boarded the plan hoping nothing would go wrong and we would make it home. Eight plus hours later we landed in Toronto – and needed to pass four hours until the last part. About an hour into our arrival after clearing customs and passport control, while eating dinner we learned our next flight was cancelled. To make matters worse, rebooked for Tuesday night (it was SUNDAY!). My heart sank, I was honestly very distraught over the whole thing. My sister is home from her community and I was so excited and eager to see her on Sunday. Now I needed to wait a few more days. We are also just so ready to be back in our bed, with out pillows, towels, food, back into our routines which provide regularity. Luckily I had done one more load of laundry before leaving:) Once again after many phone calls and online research we managed to get an earlier flight on Tuesday, leaving at 3pm (approximately) and we needed to book another hotel. We also rented a car to get from one place to the next while here.
While, not the ending we expected for our trip – but here we are. This is my current view (oh, I miss the mountains already):
I left some clues in the photo, can you find them? My waterproof backpack and computer:) This is one of the oldest “luxury” hotels in Toronto and much to our pleasant surprise is directly across the street from the Google office. I went for a walk earlier to find some food. I am not in the right head space to truly enjoy where I am – admittedly seeing the city through unsettled eyes and feeling bitter. I will make my way to the water front soon (first I need to call the airline again to ask how I can get reimbursed for the hotel costs – wish me luck).
Like I said, I don’t plan to write again at this point…I am staying hopeful we will find our way after four days of trying…back to Brooklyn. I am coming Alexandria!
I won’t let these days cloud my memory of these past few weeks – as I really did have a great time hiking alone, untethered and free – and of course hiking with with dear friends Will and Maggie – and my darling husband who supports me regardless even out on the trail. Thank you for reading and joining me on this adventure.
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