We moved back to Zurich on Thursday the 18th because our plans for Friday required an early morning train out of Zurich Hauptbahnhof. We had decided to stay in the same hotel as the week before, the Pension St. Josef, and arrived just after 1 p.m. So what to do with what was left of the day after traveling? The Rheinfalls and the city of Schaffhausen are only a half-hour away by train. Perfect!
It was overcast and a bit chilly when we left Zurich but the weather kept improving steadily. We figured we would start at the Rheinfalls -- 150 meters wide, 23 meters high and "only" 14-17,000 years old -- where the weather wouldn't really matter much. There's an area of rock in the middle of the falls where boats will carry such intrepid travelers as we and let us climb to the top. The view is terrific and the climb will inevitably get you wet. The docking procedure for the boats isn't easy as they steer against the current and disappear into the mist.
The weather cleared completely while we were at the falls, and so we went on to the castle on the other side of the river that offers terrific views back over the falls. The stairs down to the river let you get up close and personal with the falls at various points. The castle has a number of tame deer who will eat right out of your hands. And, of course, count on our neo-geologist to find (can you guess?) more rocks!
There's a railroad bridge back to the other side of the Rhein above the falls and a wonderful walking path right along the river. By this time, it was hot. It was sunny. So... off with the shoes and socks! The water was COLD but hey, you can't pass up a chance to go wading in the Rhein River!
Then it was off into Schaffhausen with an expansive Altstadt with fountains and squares and gilded bay windows. Above the city is a real fortress -- Festung Munot ("Munot Fortress") -- built in the 16th century. The fortress is extremely well-preserved; the moat around it is now home to a herd of deer; and the view from the Munot down over the city is worth the climb. The vineyards produce terrific local wines -- Kacy brought home two bottles of the local Riesling that we stumbled across at dinner.
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The Rheinfalls
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The falls from above
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JGR in the center
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Kacy in the center
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Boat approaching center
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Boat docking in center
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JGR feeding deer
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Kacy feeding deer
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'More rocks, Mom!'
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Rhein above falls
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Kacy wading
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JGR wading
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Clock fountain
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Fountain square
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Munot Fortress
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View from Munot
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