We decided that the two vehicles would travel separately today but that if possible we would meet up for the night. Romy and Wolfgang were on the road first and so would probably find a spot first. If so they would text us their GPS coordinates.

Once we got our lazy bones moving Nina and I followed in what we thought were their tracks. We did not know at the start of the day just how spectacular the day was going to be. At first just more picturesque farmland, rivers and lakes. Some pretty villages, one with a famous 11th century church. Then suddenly the countryside was no longer forested, the road was narrower and climbing quite steeply. After some miles of climbing we emerged onto a barren windswept upland at 4000 ft. All around us were glacier clad mountains ranging up to 6000 ft. It was a very impressive sight, probably the best views we have ever had of glaciers from a roadway (or for that matter without walking for days on mountain trails).

We had traveled across the tops for some time when we got a text message from Romy with coordinates of a place a little back down our route. It took us a little while to retrace our steps and find the small side track but in short order we had found their white van and were offering greetings.

The place was nothing more than a wider part of a primitive maintenance road, the way farther up this road was blocked by a large expanse of snow so for now this was the end of the line and an impromptu campground for a number of travelers.

While not luxurious, the place had an unparalleled view.

The first order of business once settled in was to hang up the washing we had been carrying in a bucket of water for the past couple of days. Romy looked at us as if we were crazy but soon joined in the exercise. The theory was that the strong breeze would offset the sporadic rain showers in drying the cloths.

We occupied the rest of the evening with a long walk along the maintenance road, preparation of dinner, and drinking beer.