Tag Archives: hiking

Sunday through Sunday, March 1-15, 2026—An Early Spring

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Nothing special or unusual occurred this reporting period; just life as usual. After so much travel the last 25 years, we are thoroughly enjoying being at home and experiencing the near-like spring weather, though we did have a couple of days of below freezing temperatures. Our usual activities of golf, pickleball, and social engagements transpired as usual, and because the temperature in the garage shop was moderated, some woodworking and “piddling” took place as well. Also, we were able to attend track, soccer, and basketball games in and around central Arkansas.

Kay stays really busy, doing something or going someplace virtually all the time, and lately she’s been attending two rehearsals a week for the upcoming Easter cantata at church. And this month she hosted The Book Club, a big thing!

Wildflowers have begun blooming extensively, and a few butterflies are pausing long enough for a photo or two. On Tuesday, March 3, I hiked our local Cedar Creek Trail and was rewarded right off with a couple of butterflies: a Falcate Orangetip and a Mourning Cloak. The Falcate Orangetip was nectaring on Spring Beauty blooms.

And then, a growth of mushrooms caught my eye.

In addition to the Spring Beauties that were scattered along the trail, Rue Anemone and Buttercups were also present. It was a delightful walk for sure.

And then on Saturday, March 7, another foray along the trail produced similar results.

Two of my favorite wildflowers showcased their blooms on Tuesday, March 10. Both the Trout Lily and Mayapple proudly displayed their adornments.

In addition, the False Garlic betrayed its name with its beautiful bloom and buds.

A Wood Sorrel also exhibited its pastel blooms above clover-like leaves.

Switching to Beaver Dam Trail on Wednesday, Spring Beauties were in abundance and the occasional False Garlic and Buttercup were observed.

Some “new” blooms were also seen. First was the Wild Pansy.

And then, Woodland Phlox appeared.

A delicate Downy Yellow Violet showed up out of nowhere…

…as did an Earnest’s Spiderwort.

Finally, on Thursday—back on the Cedar Creek Trail—the previously observed wildflowers were photographed, with emphasis on really close-up macro shots. 

Thursday, July 10, 2025– Gornergrat Tour and the Matterhorn, and Zermatt

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After breakfast we met at the train station and caught a cogwheel railway through the adjacent Alps to Gornergrat. The top two photos below are from our hotel room window.

Opened in 1898, the Gornergrat cogwheel train is the world’s oldest electric mountain railway still in operation and has been built solely for tourist purposes. The 33-minute ride is incredibly scenic: the train offers a birds-eye view of Zermatt with the Matterhorn silhouette towering over it, lakes, forests, and numerous other peaks, valleys, and glaciers. From the top of Gornergrat, a mountain summit after which the railway is named, one can admire spectacular 360-degree views of Matterhorn and 29 other 4000-meter high peaks, as well as Gorner Glacier. 

Along the way, the views of Matterhorn were near breathtaking. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I’d see this famous, spectacular mountain. 

Gornergrat (10,285 feet) is a rocky ridge of the Pennine Alps, overlooking the Corner Glacier southeast of Zermatt.

Gornergrat, upper right corner of photo

At the top of Gornergrat, the views of several glaciers overpowered the surrounding landscape. 

After loads of photos, Kay and I caught the cogwheel railcar and rode “down” to the first stop from the top, Station Rotenoden. At the stop an ensemble of people dressed in native costumes played music commonly associated with the Swiss Alps on Alpine horns and an accordion. Their appearance was at the entrance to an Alpine garden containing many plants in full bloom. This was also the “trailhead” where we began an almost 3 mile hike down the mountain and around a lake to the next “whistle stop”, Station Riffleberg. This was our favorite day of the entire trip.

Back at the the town of Zermatt, we made our way to the hotel, not realizing how tired we really were—and the twenty minute walk was mostly uphill. 

As for Zermatt, it remains almost completely free of internal combustion vehicles—apart from the local police service which uses a Volkswagen car, and the refuse collection lorry. It can be reached by train only and electric vehicles are used locally.. These electric vehicles, mostly small trucks and vans, are plentiful and driven very fast in the narrow cobblestone streets. Along with bicycles everywhere, walkers must remain on alert at all times.