Day 3 If they could just all be like today - Oberalp Pass - Chur 55 miles.

I've ridden bikes through spectacular scenery before. But never have I had so many jaw-dropping views greet me at every turn. Switzerland was on full perfect display today. Three trains from Zurich took us higher and higher up to OberalpPass, the headwaters of the Rhine.The train ride alone was worth the entire trip passing stunning lakes saddled between peaks, chalets perched high in the hillside, trains slithering through tunnels and across mountainsides, it was truly out of a dream. Now I know where all those puzzle photos come from! From the snow covered summit, we ate fries while gathering courage for the steep decent filled with countless hairpin turns. I couldn't help but hoot and hollar while flying down the turns. Once we leveled out a bit the route veered us off into smaller side roads, bike paths, dirt roads and even some single track. Every turn lent itself to a new spectacular view. Waterfalls, woods, steep pastures, wildflowers, and adorable village after village. It was as though the cowbells and church bells were cheering us on! I couldn't have asked for more. The guidebook I'm using split today into two days/stages and after completing the first and grabbing lunch at a supermarket, we were flying high. But then we quickly realized why it was broken into 2 sections. A 6 mile climb, the biggest of our trip, seemed pretty harmless on paper. Of course carrying an extra 50 pounds up a climb can make the easiest climb become a beast. And it was. We grinded our way high up onto the hillside with the Rhine cutting a rugged gorge below. I was so proud of Greta, she crushed it! Goat herders, sheep dogs and villagers greeted us along the way. Finally cresting the hill, a harrowing but spectacular descent was made moreso by thrill seeking motorcyclists and porch drivers. One last hill cooked us and we had to walk the bikes up the steep cobblestones of a lovely village before a gentle evening descent into Chur. I had arranged a bike host using a website popular for touring cyclist called warmshowers (careful if your googling that!)😄 Hosts offer free lodging to fellow cyclists after years of hosting countless cyclists ourselves in Sandpoint, it was so nice to be on the receiving end this time. Our amazing host Maddy knew we would likely arrive after restaurants were closed so she had lasagna, bread, honey and cheese waiting for us. A perfect end to a perfect day. We were so grateful and devoured dinner before showers and crashing out hard. If only all days could be so perfect!

Postcards from train windows

Seriously can't begin to do it justice

Enough turns to make ya dizzy

This photo couldn't be more Swiss!

Kept expecting Belle and Gaston to show up and start singing

Narrow is the road that leadeth unto Chur

No trolls or tolls

5 tunnels and 9 bridges today, oh and 4 cats