Afternoon Walk around Villette Park in nearby Cham

 (This post created on February 10, 2025)

Friday June 7, 2019 -- Another very hot day in this unseasonably warm early June, so we decided to go out for ice cream at the town of Cham, just one town over from where we live. But before that treat, first a small walk through the Villette Park near the Cham train station and along the lakeshore, where we enjoyed watching the lake birds and even witnessed a wedding party getting their photos taken.

Our little walk around the park and to the ice-cream place ended up being two kilometers, which is quite the achievement for my poor mom, who just recently started suffering leg pain while walking.

Information placards at the train station and the Park in Cham: Apparently the train station was built five years before any trains ever stopped here, so eager were the citizens to get train service here! As far as the park, the town was able to purchase the eastern part of the privately-owned Villette Property in 1948 for just under 11 Francs per square meter! 

From the train station in Cham (2:30 p.m.), we walked to the Cham lakeshore park and public access (where the ship also docks). What a wonderful geranium display!

From the lakeshore, we could see the steeple of the St.Jacob Catholic church in Cham, across from the train station. At 71.90 meters, this church has the highest bell tower in Canton Zug. 

There is a small island connected with a bridge, and this is where we headed. 

We found a well-placed bench on the small island and enjoyed time in the shade of the trees on this very hot day! (In the background is Mount Rigi, on the south end of Lake Zug). 

Unusual art in the lake

We often see cormorants on this lake. It looks like this one is using more lake art to perch on!

The usual lake birds here: Swans, Coots, Grebes. The Coot babies are UGLY!

Other people enjoying this beautiful day! This is a view of the Central Alps, near Engelberg I believe. 

On the other side of the little bridge are the grounds of the Villette (now owned by the community of Cham since 1983). We are headed there now, to walk along the perimeter of the park along the lakeshore. 

Another great walking effort from my mom, total of two kilometers this day. (In the background is the ship on Lake Zug, the one my mom rode a few days earlier, docking at the public beach access near the St.Andreas Castle). 

View of the Villette building directly from the south, with the church bell-tower absolutely dwarfing the building! There is a very fancy restaurant in that building now, with a lovely garden patio. 

History of the Villette: At this site just south of the railway line, there used to be a farm which was heavily affected by the building of the railway. A rich banker from Zurich (Heinrich Schulthess-von Meiss) bought the property and used the rubble from the railway to extend the property into the lake. The villa was built from 1864 to 1866 and served as summer residence for the family. By 1983, the community of Cham had purchased the entire property (in sections over decades since 1948). 

A bridal party uses the park for photos

The lovely Villette Park, a nice spot for wedding photos. 

And now back past the train station again, we pass the St.Jacob's church on our way to the ice cream parlour. 

Not a bad way to end the summer afternoon walk!

This is the little circuit tour we made, first to the public beach access, then around the Villette Park, and up the main road in Cham. Luckily there was a bus stop right in front of the ice cream place, so we didn't have to walk back to the train station. We headed back home at about 4:30 p.m. 

Day Trip to the Appenzell with Mom

(This post created on February 10, 2025)

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 -- Another beautiful June day, and on today's itinerary with my Mom was a day trip to Appenzell in eastern Switzerland to visit Urs' brother (and their Mom) who lives just outside the city. Before heading off to his place for afternoon coffee, we first walked around the lovely town of Appenzell admiring all the painted facades (which is what this town is known for) and had a very nice lunch at one of the several Gasthauses in the town. Later we went for a short walk (about one kilometer total) in the lovely countryside, and enjoyed all the cows in the pastures as well as views of Mounts Säntis and the Hoher Kasten. 

In order to make the most of the lovely evening, we took the scenic route home with the "Süd-Ost Bahn" via Rapperswil, Lake Zurich, Rothenthurm upper moor, Arth Goldau and Lake Zug. 

Heading by train to Appenzell, we pass through the rolling hills of the Toggenburg region. 

Enjoying riding in First Class!

We got to Appenzell at 11 a.m. and walked up and down the roads admiring the painted building fronts. 

Appenzell is a popular destination because of the pretty houses

The painted house fronts usually reflect the type of businesses which exist in these buildings. 

What a cool shop! It's an Apothecary, with oldfashioned scales to weigh the herbs and elixirs offered in decorative flasks and bins. 

We found a very interested shop displaying metal artwork of what is called "Scherenschnitt" (Scissor Art) which is usually done in paper, but looks particularly intriguing done in metal!

Beautiful Scherenschnitt artwork display done in metal

A small chapel right in the center of the pedestrian zone

This is the Gasthaus Hotel and Restaurant we decided to have lunch at. 

Enjoying typical Gasthaus food: A "Fitness Teller" with breaded Schnitzel and a variety of salads!

We had ordered a local public transport van to pick us up after lunch at just after 1 p.m. to take us the five kilometers to Urs' brother's house (this is like a taxi, but costs only five or 10 francs per person!)

Farming landscape around the town of Appenzell. To the east we can see the summit of Mount Hoher Kasten. 

Typical Appenzell farmhouse

This cute little house is under heritage protection, as it was once used as a travel inn back when horses were the only means of transport. 

Posing with a very pretty orchid plant!

I left my Mom to visit and went on a small walk up the small hill behind the little house, to photograph the landscape on this beautiful day!

The rolling hills of the Appenzell countryside. The small house below used to serve as a traveler's inn back when horses were the main mode of travel. The ground level had a high ceiling as it was the barn for the horses, while the travelers had rooms on the upper levels. 

Later we took Urs' mother in her wheelchair for some fresh air and a small walk near the house. There were many cows from the neighbour's farm grazing in the nearby pastures. 

Cows are the best!

Cows are always curious when we walk past!

We are being observed by the littlest of the cows!

Not far from the house we get this fabulous view of the Alpstein Massif including the summit of Mt.Säntis on the right with the communication tower. 

Perfect road for a walk with a wheelchair. 

The summit of the Hoher Kasten to the east

This farm offers "Sleeping in the Hay"

Back at the house before 5 p.m., and time to head back to the train station in Appenzell for the train trip home. 

Location of Appenzell within Switzerland. 

The train ride back to Zug is with the "Süd-Ost Bahn" via Herisau and Arth Goldau, and took only 2½ hours. 

More fantastic views of the Alpstein Massif as the train heads away from Appenzell

A look toward the Schwyzer (or Glarner?) Alps as the train leaves the Ricken Tunnel

Crossing Lake Zurich from Rapperswil to Pfäffikon (We have walked on this boardwalk before, but need to do it again!)

This is a small island in the middle of Lake Zurich!

A close-up view of the Rapperswil Castle from across Lake Zurich

The train passes via the Rothenthurm High Moors on its way to Arth Goldau

Just before Arth Goldau, the train emerges into the open valley between the Mythen Mountains and Mt.Rigi. What we see to the south is Mt. Fronalpstock. The lake is called Lake Lauerzersee. 

The eastern foot of Mt.Rigi, with Lake Lauerz.

Final leg of the journey as the train heads north along Lake Zug. It was after 8 p.m. when we got home!