Gruyères

Yesterday we decided to brave the rain and drive a couple hours south to the town of Gruyères in the French part of Switzerland with our friends Jeff and Marlis. It was Gretchen's first visit to that part of the country (I took a day trip to Neuchâtel last summer), and she was in luck because the rain let up as soon as we got to the other side of the Jura Mountains. Gruyères was about as touristy as can be, but beautiful nevertheless with a hilltop location at the foot of the Alps topped by a nicely restored castle. Since the region is known for being the home of gruyère cheese (popular in fondue), we of course had to stop at La Maison du Gruyère and take a multimedia tour of the cheesemaking facilities. (Even Gretchen--proud daughter of the Dairy State--was impressed. Although the cheese curd fad evidently hasn't caught on here. Yet.)

While we were there, I took a picture of a church with the mountains in the background and Gretchen mocked me for not having a good eye for framing the scene, vowing that she could do better. And you know what? She was right--mine was nothing special and hers was indeed much nicer. I hate it when that happens.