Swiss water all around

The following is from a daily journal during a June 2015 trip to Switzerland with my wife, Cindy:

One of my early international trips included a flight change in Zurich.  As we approached the airport, we circled Rhine Falls.  It was so amazing from above, I had always wanted to see it closer.  17 years later, Cindy & I took the trains from Zurich to  Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall to see the Rhine falls up close.  We took many pictures from the castle adjacent to the falls; and also from observation decks above, next to, and at the base of the falls. We and our cameras were drenched but survived. The sounds and sights of this waterfall, the largest in Europe, were thunderous and amazing.  We even spotted a rainbow below us in the mist.

 

 

 

We took a boat across the river below the falls. The river makes a 90° left here and across the water are panoramic views of the falls.  We had lunch here:  German sausage, bread and fries.  I had a can of purified river water from the Rhine.

 

 

After we ate we walked along the downstream bank of the river, then up several flights of stairs along the shore, gradually ascending to the top of the falls along the riverbank  pathway.  The railway we took to the falls passes under the castle and crosses the river just upstream from the falls.  We recrossed the river here and hiked the other back up the hill to the castle and train station where our excursion to the falls began.

 

 

This afternoon, after the return train trip to Rhine falls, we took a 90 minute ferry ride on Lake Zurich.  The ferry Uetliberg took us along the lake's west side, then crossed to the east side heading back while making 8 stops on the round trip.  It was a great relaxing day, watching the boats, homes, villages, vineyards, and people enjoying the great weather along the shore.