Monday, August 31, 2009

Rheinfalls

I don't know how many weeks it has been now that we have been talking about going to the Rheinfalls. Maybe since Swiss National Day when there is a huge fireworks display. Any whoo...we finally made the trip this past Saturday. We met a couple friends and their pups at the Hauptbahnhof and boarded the train to Schaffhausen.

Schaffhausen, like most other Swiss towns, is adorable. With its' cobblestone roads, narrow alley ways, and fountains every 10 feet, it did not disappoint. We cut through town in search of the Rhein. I had heard you could just walk to the Falls along the Rhein. Figured this was the way to do it instead of a bus. See some more of the town, take a peak over into Germany...why not?

Pretty spectacular, huh? We all couldn't get over how fast the current was moving and how clear the water was.
And, unlike the Limmat River in Zurich, you can swim in the Rhein. This was nuts. They were hauling down the river. Somehow they were able to navigate themselves over to the waters edge and hop up on some of the rocks leading into the river to get out. Definitely not for me, but I give them props. These guys have probably been doing this since they could walk. Second nature.

Now, this walk was supposed to only take about an hour in Swiss time, but in American time, it takes about twice that. Finally with four adults and three pups, we make it to the Falls.

Not too shabby. The Rheinfalls are the largest waterfall in Europe. Notice the people standing on the rock in the center. There is the option to take a boat out to the rock. We opted for a beer instead.

All in all, a great day trip with great friends.

5 comments:

  1. Looks like you had the perfect day there. Love your photos. Yes, Swiss hiking times always seem to me like running times...

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  2. Thanks for checking out the blog. Your post on Thun makes me want to jump on the train right now. Adding it to the list.

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  3. Looks nice but how does it compare to the Sioux Falls, your home city?

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  4. Nothing compares to the majesty of Sioux Falls, except maybe Rockford.

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  5. Do I spy a KPMG shirt???

    Love the pics!

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