August 8: Loving these Mountain and Water Views

What an amazing day! I’ve always loved mountains, particularly snow-capped ones. But to be able to see the vast range of the French Alps framed by stunning still blue waters and a world-renowned floral display was a special treat on my hike along Lake Geneva today.

I set off on foot from my hotel in Nyon, stopping at Migros for picnic supplies, before getting on the short train ride to Morges. Set on Lake Geneva, this city is known for its bright displays of flowers everywhere – in planter boxes near the water, grouped in squares cut out in the lawn bordering the lake walk, and hanging from shops and businesses along the path.  

I followed the pedestrian walkway north for several hours, seeing the views both as an adult and through the eyes of the child who walked the same pathway with her grandmother years ago. I treasured every familiar sight – the large rocks piled along the edge of the water, the graceful swans with their dark grey trumpeter juveniles, the docked boats rocking gently on the water, and the little businesses offering drinks and treats of every kind.

I was particularly entranced by the beautiful tunnels formed in many places by the carefully pruned trees along the border of the lake. It felt almost magical walking along the dirt path with the canopy of trees overhead protecting me from the bright afternoon sun and the blue waters of the lake peeking through openings in the branches.  

I stopped at the Parc du Pelican, a nice grassy area right on the water with shade trees and little benches looking out at the Mont Blanc. As all the benches were taken I sat on my shopping bag and enjoyed my lunch of freshly baked rustico bread and dried meat from the Grisons region while also feasting on the lake and mountain views.

Arriving in the port of Ouchy, I took the tram up the hill into the city of Lausanne and then transferred to a train to take me back to Nyon. I arrived back at my hotel just in time to meet my good friends Max and Kirsten for dinner. I have not seen them in years, and it was wonderful to be together in person, catch up on our lives, and share some delicious Malakoff, a fried cheese delight that is typically only found in this region of Switzerland. I savored every crunchy and creamy bite.