Telfer Wiesen

At Summer's end, we found ourselves (literally) running up mountains. We had climbed so many by August that, to our surprise, our bodies craved being there each day, running ourselves ragged some days. Looking back, it was exhausting and exhilarating. But, there is a certain point in the Alps where the cool, fresh air hits your senses-- where the trees stand so tall that you are gently shielded from the summer sun and wrapped in the natural environment. You mingle with the cows and wild mountain goats who migrate to and from.

This afternoon, we needed a slower pace. Lunch at the alm by way of the Telfer Wiesen trail, it was. We were greeted by a herd of friendly sheep that grazed in the afternoon light. Following each other, neck-in-neck, the pack moved around a tree again and again. Only one happened to notice me intruding on their afternoon commute back to their farm. Slower pace: granted.