Sunday, Oct. 24-- To Villaz day

Hit the road before noon, thinking we had a 3 to 5 hour drive ahead of us to get to the other side of the Bernese Alps.  After driving east and south for an hour, came to a sign indicating that the pass we wanted to take had been closed due to heavy snowfall.  Rats!  Thought of taking a run at it, but V was dissuaded by a kaffe klatsch of Swiss mountain men who all grunted and shook their heads at the suggestion.

Retraced our steps and moved on to Plan B involving a different pass further west.  It also involved loading the car onto a train for a ride through a tunnel.  Unique experience sitting in the car while it zooms along unattended, then disappears into complete blackness.

 Car Train from Oberwald to Realp.  This is the non-tunnel part.

For some reason, the tracks inside the tunnel were extremely bumpy and we bounced around in the dark while other trains flew past in the opposite direction, seemingly inches away.  Off the train on the other side of the mountains in 20 minutes instead of the 3 hours it would have taken to drive.

Pleasant drive on back roads to entrance to the Val d'Herens south of Sion.

Welcome to Val d'Herens

Stopped for lunch at a cafe in Vex where we were greeted by the owner/server still decked out in, what one might unkindly assume, was her Saturday night party dress.  Contrary to her nonconformist attire however, she was not one to broach unconventional lunch orders.  When I asked if I could have a different meat on my cheese melt sandwich order, the answer was "No!"  My impression of the woman as being a direct and recent descendant of a Prussian general was reinforced by a sign in the men's bathroom--I wish I had taken a photo--which depicted  a stick figure peeing with such force that geyser-like splashes were emanating from the toilet.  Across this cartoon was a large, bold 'X' indicating that this behavior would not be tolerated.  I took my chances and refused to sit.

In all fairness, our host did warm to us in time, and even offered a complete, authoritative explanation as to why my meat request was impractical.  While in her good books, we paid and made for the door before she had a chance to inspect the bathroom.

Arrived at Villaz, a village where we have stayed enough times that it almost feels like coming home.  Hugs and smiles when our friend Careen arrived back at the chalet from her walk.  Then, out for a short stroll in the fading light.  It had begun to snow lightly just before we arrived, and now it was beginning to stick to the hillsides and trees.  This combined with the moonlight on the mountain and the absolute silence created a magical scene.  We are very glad to be here.

V and her friend Careen catching up over tea and red olympic mittens in the chalet kitchen.