For someone who lives 10 minutes walk from the Rhine Falls I don't get to go there often. But this has to change if I want to keep my promise and go on a daily walk as even though there are quite a few trails around our home they are not unlimited and would get boring after a while. Hence it looks like you will be visiting the Rhine Falls in every season with me.
Yesterday, I was busy with organisation of our annual general meeting of gardeners association, so I thought that I would not make it, but I got fed up late in the afternoon and took a break from all the paperwork. I walked towards the Rhine Falls as walking back up is a bit of an exercise and that's exactly what I needed to clear my mind.
It doesn't matter how often I come here because this place will never lose its magic for me. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am to live in a place which others dream of visiting.
And one day I will jump in one of those wobbly boats to bring me to the large rock in the middle of the waterfall. My friends can't understand why I'm so scared of those boats, but they move from one side to another so wildly that I'm sure I would get seasick. And also, I really don't feel that comfortable in boats (as I also mentioned last time). But apparently it's a lot of fun, so if it's your kind of activity don't forget to book a tour when you visit.
I have no idea who and why started this 'tradition' of throwing the coins in here. I can understand throwing the coins into fountains which then get cleaned and the money is used for maintenance, but I can't imagine that this place has ever been cleaned. I can imagine many other ways of spending my coins 馃槉
No tourists in sight - perfect time to visit!
Let's walk down the stairs...
Parts of the waterfall look quiet, but it's wild in the centre because there is a lot of water from melting snow. It's unusually warm for this time of the year, and there is no snow under 2000 meter above the sea level anymore.
This watermill reminds us of how the power of the river was used in the past. The original mill in this place was built in the 12th century. Today, the building serves as a caf茅. I can't say much about it as I've never been inside.
On the way, there are platforms which bring you close to water. It's much more impressive from the other side as there you get so close that you can touch the water falling down if you like.
It was cloudy all day, but the sun fought its way through the clouds right before the sunset. I enjoyed this sight a lot.
There are plenty of tiny waterfalls on the way to make it even more interesting 馃槉
The river finds its way everywhere...
I found the initials of me and my husband on one of the locks, just the date is wrong...
There are long trails on the right sight going through the forest. Some years ago, we walked 14 km there and 14 back through these woods. This was the first time when we visited Rheinau, and from that time we only go there by car. It was a challenging hike!
It's impressive to look at the waterfall, but let's see the other side without water too.
There is a small park which is full of people in summer. It's the perfect spot for a picnic. There are many offices in this area, and it's so great when you can take your lunch in such a place.
And soon we will start walking up the hill. Don't worry, there are two lifts if you don't want to or can't get their by foot.
This is a monument to remember the Europe's first industrial aluminium production plant built next to the waterfall. It's more than 130 years ago.
Let's walk back home!
It's easy to go down, but as I said going back is a bit of an exercise.
But the views are worth it...
There are goats and sheep roaming those gardens in summer...
We're almost there...
And this is one of those lifts...
The rest of my walk was not so interesting as there is a lot of construction going on in our town, so it's not as charming as it used to be. We hope that the works will finish this summer and then I will take you around there too.
It was one of the shorter walks and only about 4000 steps, but with the rest of my daily activities it was a successful day 馃槉
See you next time...