The Glacier Express

Switzerland -- the only place where people consistently pronounce Doug's name correctly.

This is our next to last day of train travel. We're on the Glacier Express to St. Moritz. The weather wasn't great, but most times we could see the landscape in these valleys and passes. As we climbed higher, we occasionally glimpsed the grandeur through the clouds. There were even several lengthy tunnels that gave me time to write for a project due in July.

At 8,000 feet it began to snow. At slightly lower elevations the wildflowers of all colors were prolific, but I couldn't name any except lupines.

We're clearly in a different region of Switzerland. The language is Romansh and it is reflected in place names (e.g. Thusis, Chur, Filisur, Samedan.) Also its more solidly Catholic, but with very different style of churches.

It's all been impressive, but particularly the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. And the iconic Landwasserviadukt. 

(In the tunnel)

(over the pass)

(The Landwasserviadukt is in a UNESCO World Heritage site because of the engineering of viaducs and tunnels to get through these mountains. Doug got a better video without reflections because they let him open a window on the platform between cars.)