The exploration of the canton owned narrow gauge train lines out of Appenzell ended with the branch line into the Rhine Valley. Many examples of the ubiquitous indigenous wildlife of Switzerland were noted, perhaps proving why people say Switzerland is "artificial". Not that it matters, as four of us broke out of the group and left the mainline valley train at the quite industrial (well, for Switzerland) town of Buch for Postal Bus #12 to Lichtenstein. We crossed the flood contained channel of the Rhine Valley and entered tiny Liechtenstein in its far north extent. After documenting my arrival in country 127 (but who's counting) or 126 depending on the dubious "visit" to Easter Island last December, we explored all the major sights in capital city Vaduz which mostly consist of banks offering numbered accounts, we caught the continuation of bus #12 forty-five minutes later to explore virtually the entire south of the country before arriving back in Switzerland 20 minutes later. We caught the IC fast train to Chur, the oldest city in Europe and junction point of every damn mountain railway of this country that is worth a spit (says my guidebook which I picked up from a high school kid). Checking into the same hotel that I stayed at 15 years ago which has a pretty view out of my room's window, our valiant group of four were joined by some other adventurers from our larger tour group for the one hour ride up from 2000 ft MSL to over mile high Arosa, a major ski resort. A very nice day including country number three of the very mostly Swiss trail tour. Tomorrow starts with a 5:30 am breakfast for the spectacular Albula Pass and Bernina Pass route to Tirano, Italy for a 3 1/2 hour visit.
Internet is not free at this hotel. The 5 Swiss franc access card will allow for upload of a few journal entries later on this week.
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