Everybody has favorite places to remember. There’s a meadow in Leysin, Switzerland that will always be one of mine.
For almost every day that we’ve been staying in Leysin, except our travel days, JC and I have trooped up a very steep road (for Florida flatlanders) to this meadow.
When we get to the top, we walk through the tall grass to the edge of the meadow. It is here that we have the most amazing view of the Alps. As we stand in wildflowers, above a small herd of cows grazing contentedly, we look out at the world filled with mountains.
They seem to come in every shape and size. Some are big and craggy, still showing shades of white here and there. Others are rounded and soft with trees, displaying so many shades of green we’ve given up counting. The beauty is almost more than the eye can take in and, sadly though I try, more than my camera can capture.
Below us, we see valleys with houses and farms so far down that cars, cows, and people look tiny. Above us are taller mountains, the ones that we haven’t quite got the legs to conquer, at least not yet. There’s a rock fence and a few lovely chalet houses, that remind me people actually live here every day.
I can stand in this meadow and look around me for ages with complete contentment and total amazement. There is always something new to see and hear. We’ve basked in bright sunny days that take your breath away and watched with awe sunsets that turned the mountains a dusky pink.
When we first climbed to this meadow, it was almost solid green. It was still too early for all but the dandelions. Now, it is full of color – pinks, purples, yellows and reds – mixed in with the tall grass, which comes almost to my waist in some places.
If we listen, we can hear the clanging cowbells, the buzzing bees and the singing birds, all joining in what I call the real Swiss “sound of music.” The air is so fresh that you can’t seem to get enough of it.
The others in our group have visited numerous countries and have had marvelous adventures. For JC and me, however, just watching the changes in this meadow and gazing on the majestic mountains of Switzerland has been an adventure in itself, one we will not forget.
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Do you have a favorite place? If so, share where it is and why you love it in the comment box.
p.s. Here are some pictures of our meadow. Enjoy!
Looking down the mountain from the meadow
A bee enjoying the lovely flowers on the meadow!
You can see the tram up to the higher mountain if you look closely.
A Swiss cow with her bell…they make lovely music together!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
That is BEAUTIFUL. I love it! As for favorite places of mine…hmm…I’d have to say that any quiet, beautiful, sunny beach (preferably with rainbows) would be ideal for me. If I could have my dog and a good book I would be in HEAVEN. Thanks for this post. It made me smile!
Positively Presents last blog post..hope springs internal
@ Positively Present — I agree with you about the beach. Living in Florida, the beach is also one of my favorite places. I prefer it to be right before a storm. Oddly, the Alps remind me of the beach in that they change every time you look at them. Thanks for your comment, I’m glad the post made you smile:~)
Oh gosh a favorite place? So many to choose. We stayed in a tiny Austrian village called “Zell am see” that looks very much like this. Wide open fields and mountains…cows with bells and quaint village homes. I felt like I could really breathe! But then there is Italy…hmmmmm…not much I didn’t like about that place…lol.
Carolines last blog post..Wow…I said that?
@ Caroline — the Austrian village does sound like Leysin. I also have the feeling about the air. When I step outside, the air is so refreshing! It’s nice to sleep with the windows open, something I can’t do in Florida, except for winter months. I’ve heard the food in Italy is absolutely yummy:~)
Stunning, beautiful and amazing. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never been.
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..A Bold Technique That Creates Miracles
@ Tess — I’m pleased you enjoyed the pictures. Come visit Switzerland sometime…it’s well worth it! Thanks for your comment:~)
Breathtaking! I love how the meandering roads and rooftops give perspective to the depth of the mountain in the first shot. I want to walk right into that picture. My favourite place I haven’t been to physically in almost 3 years. The orchard on the farm where I grew up. I can go there pretty quickly though in my mind. I had a swing in that orchard where I would swing in the early hours of summer mornings. These days, I venture to the local park near my apt and go swinging and remembering. Yes, a 40-something swinging in a park, ha, ha.
Davinas last blog post..Mindful Melancholy
@ Davina — I think swinging in a park is always a good idea, regardless of age! I understand about the orchard…I grew up near an orange grove and have fond memories of eating oranges right off the tree! I can’t return because the grove is no more, but, like you, still have those great memories:~)
Oh Sara, the photos are gorgeous. They really remind me of the “Sound of Music”. If I was there I’d want to start singing “the hills are alive…..”.
The photo of the meadow reminds me of my childhood, when as a little girl we would cross a daisy filled field to Gramma’s, picking a bouquet for her as we walked. To this day, daisies hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of Switzerland. Your stories make me feel like I’m right there with you.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..How to Write to Blog Lurkers
@ Barbara — I’m pleased that you enjoyed the stories and the photos! Believe it or not, they don’t begin to capture the beauty of this country! I agree with you about daisies. I didn’t have many around when I was a kid, but I love them now. I’m always taking pictures of daisies…they’re such a perfect subject for the camera. Thanks for your comment:~)
Hello Sara!
My God is this place ever beautiful! I have taken many trips to Europe (as I was born there) and I have to say it has some pretty spectacular places to see and get lost in the infinite beauty!!!!
My favorite place however was the place to my husband and I went to on our honeymoon. The resort was on its own tiny island off of Cuba – let me rephrase that – the resort was the island and had two private untouched beaches. We felt like we were the only ones there most of the time and dear God was it breathtaking!!! The water – the sand – the silence was just heavenly! We hope to go back there one day again!
Evitas last blog post..SkyWatch Friday – Fragrant Skies
@ Evita — As the beach is also one of my favorites, reading about your honeymoon sounded fantastic…an untouched beach. I bet it WAS beautiful. In some ways, the Alps are like the beach. Every time you look at them, they are different and the light is fantastic. Knowing how you love to take pictures, you would go love it here:~)
I have only passed through Switzerland once, on the train, so I was always in the valleys of those mountains.
Beautiful, beautiful photos, the first one is breath-taking. I hope to go back there one day, this time with my husband and daughter. And get to the top of those hills.
And maybe some of the Swiss chocolate I’ll eat later came from that cow.
Jannie Funsters last blog post..Another chance!
@ Jannie — What can I say…but do come to Switzerland! I recommend, however that you bring good climbing shoes. From what I hear, the summer is the hiking season. There are places where you can hike that are breathtaking.
About the Swiss chocolate, I’ve gained lots of weight because it IS irresistible to a chocoholic. The best thing is the Nestle’s factory, which is near us. You walk in a room with trays and trays of chocolate samples and you can eat as much as you like…YUM:~)
Oh wow, I think this would be a favorite place of mine too!! Gorgeous and beautiful!! What a lovely place to get lost in!
~Tabitha
Ps, hope you join in on Sunday Citar tomorrow!!
Tabitha Blues last blog post..The Winners.
@ Tabitha — You are so right. I love your Sunday Citar! I’ve like visiting the people and seeing both their photos and quotes. I haven’t figured out how to join yet as I do a photo post on Monday…maybe I’ll combine the two:~)
I love the deep woods in Pennsylvania that I roamed daily while growing up. I love those woods because of their quiet, seclusion and fresh rich scents.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Five Disturbing Ways To Make More Money
@ Tom — As I was always a beach person, I didn’t fully appreciate the beauty of the woods until walking in the Swiss woods. I agree with you about the quiet, seclusion and rich scents…well, as long as I’m not near a cow pasture. Thanks for your comment and sharing your favorite place:~)