There is just no way to describe it. You are either in the fog, or in a fog, or you’re out of it. So we think okay where can we go when it’s too foggy. Bern looks good. Okay – see ya there!

And of course it’s amazing, a brief train ride away dumps us right into the old town section of Bern with cobblestone streets, lots of shops and restaurants, and even a bear enclave.

Bern is known for its bears – originally, (thus the name “Bern”) and it also happens to be the capital of Switzerland. Lovely town and courteous people. It is so cool that even Albert Einstein lived here for a bit.

And of course we also needed to go up the cog wheel train to Mount Rigi which was really socked in with fog.

As fate would have it our journey crossed once again with Mark Twain’s who, while in Switzerland, would stay for months in the little village of Weggis. A tribute to him was this monument at the edge of the water. It was strikingly simple and stated in several languages that this “one of his most favorite places to stay to repose and replenish himself.”  Ok, I can relate to how this guy feels.

Our boat dropped us in Weggis and we were fortunate to enjoy one of the best meals of our trip so far in this charming little restaurant. Upon being seated I happened to drop my umbrella which clanked loudly on the ground to sudden silence. I felt all eyes on me as I smiled and assured those looking that I was not just another crazy Americano invading their treasured haunt. Fortunately, our waiter spoke a little English and we made it through the lunch unscathed.

From there it was a bit of hike to a tram which would take us yet higher up the mountain further into the fog where spectacular views were advertised but we were not able to catch them. It felt like we just missed a favorite movie because it was no longer showing at this particular theater. ☹

But once there and nearly stranded we did find moments of glistening sun and a brief peek of the surrounding mountain peaks…otherwise we were nestled squarely in the fog bank.

If that was not bad enough, we nearly missed the last train down and but did manage to bootleg our way further down the track to a port (not on our ticket) 😊 and jumped aboard the very last boat leaving the dock toward our lovely hotel in Luzern. What a relief!

So as it went,  we were whooshing thru the dense fog and onto the silky-smooth waters of Lake Luzern in search of warmth and a nice glass of something…anything with a kick to it actually.

If you can relate – it was like being in a Springsteen song, Born to Run, only in our take it was more like, Bern to Rigi …in the fog. Right, sure Mark.