Zurich Switzerland

Hello from Europe.  Zak (my youngest son) and I arrived in Zurich on October 14.  After several wonderful days in this very well organized, wealthy, fashion hub, we are finally over our jet lag.  Zak says the girls here are incredibly beautiful, and I have even noticed myself that we are seeing a lot of well dressed super model types from many countries just walking down the street.  It is fun to watch them give Zak those sidelong glances when he is not looking.

The weather has been rainy and overcast since our arrival, so we are hoping that one day the clouds will clear and we will see those fantastic snow covered Alps in the distance.  In the meantime, we have strolled through vineyards and sampled the wine in the local Gasthaus.  We have dined aboard a boat on Lake Zurich, and smelled the roses in the Monks garden in Rapperswil at the top of the Lake.

We spent time today in Zurich, strolling along the fancy street where stores like Prada, Cartier, and Jimmy Choo rival Madison Avenue.  We sampled dessert at Sprungli chocolatier, and lovely coffee there.  The city is really an old style Europe with turreted steeples (I counted 18), old churches, and cobblestoned streets lined with artful shops and incredible fashion.  We took photos I will have to download later

Of course all the time Im thinking about the horses back in Colorado.  Are they getting fat?  Do they miss me as much as I miss them?  Will they be ready to go when I return?

People here tell me I should not go to South America, but ride the perimeter of the United States, even telling me that they think this will be more interesting to read about.  I wonder what your opinions are, dear readers?

Which would you prefer to hear about?

We are renting a car and driving to Spain.  I want to attend the Spanish Riding School in Andalusia, if only for a day.  Enroute we will tour the French Riviera and check to see if we might encounter the wild horses of the Camarague. 

I will post again when I can.  Until then, let me hear from you.

Trish

New photos from Corrie!

Wiley takes a much needed rest

On the Colorado trail - photo by Corrie

Maggie on the Mend!

Good news.  Maggie has flourished on the green pastures in Bellvue, on the lovely acres belonging to my friends Sally and Dick Brewster.  I call it the Magic Pasture because it's so special.  Maggie has bonded with the two beautiful quarter horse geldings and in just a few days has gained back the weight she lost on the trail, her coat is shiny, and she has her prance back!

Zak and I went for a ride last night at dusk, and she and Midnight were obviously feeling great.  At one point, Zak took off at a gallop, with me following on Midnight.  She always wins any races and last night was no exception.  However, I had an experience I'd never had before....

Midnight was doing his best to canter along, trying to catch Maggie way in front, when suddenly, something spooked him and he took off like he'd been shot from a cannon!  I was a little shocked at first, and a bit frightened because I had no idea he could go that fast, but I kept my seat and enjoyed the ride!  I felt like I was on Secretariat!  He was moving so fast, I couldn't hear the individual hoofbeats - it was just a blur...Wow.  What an adrenaline rush.

Of course when he realized the tiger wasn't on his heels, he dropped back to his usual canter, but he had almost caught up to Maggie in the meantime.  Too bad I can't find a way to get that speed out of him when I want it.  It was a real thrill!

Got our tickets to Zurich yesterday - Zak and I will be leaving on October 13, returning on Nov 24.  Maggie and the boys will be staying in Bellvue on that beautiful grass pasture, relaxing and restoring in preparation for my departure on my return to Colorado.

I will continue to blog my adventures when in Europe - so stay tuned!