Stoltzfi visit (That's how we make Stoltzfus plural!!)

Around the time that it looked likely that we would be moving to Switzerland, Aunt Myrtle contacted me and told me that she, Uncle Gene, Aunt Verna and Aunt Rhoda were planning a week long hiking trip to Ireland and what was the possibility of their visiting me in Switzerland either before or after that trip. And thus began a series of emails back and forth, finally culminating with their arrival in Zürich.

While in the states for Dad's funeral, all but Uncle Gene were at Uncle Leonard's for a few days together and we discussed things that they wanted to see and do. Top on the list was to make part of the trip an "Anabaptist historical tour."
With the help of a book which they purchased and sent to me (thanks!!) we began the visit. First starting in Zürich, we found the plaque by the Limmat River commemorating Felix Manz drowning as a martyr as well as visiting the Grossmünster and other highlights of the city. Then taking a train to Zumikon, we were able to locate the home where the Anabaptist first met in a house church. We met a young man from Brazil who was curious as to the history of the house, as many people come there to take pictures. Before boarding a boat to return to Zürich, we began our daily "tradition" of finding a place to stop for coffee (for the 3 coffee drinkers in the group!) We did take the train up to Uetliberg, and enjoyed watching paragliders. The Alps didn't make themselves visible, which unfortunately became a theme for this visit.

The next day we journeyed to Bäretswil to visit one of the "Taufer Hole" or Anabaptist caves. A missed road put us on a Swiss farm, but the farmer was able to direct us to the parking area that we were looking for. (Well, not technically a parking lot, but according to the book, as long as we didn't block the farm road we were fine to park there.) A short uphill got us to the picnic table which we used after visiting the caves themselves. Very picturesque rural area.

After lunch, we decided we didn't want to try to fit in a trip to Rheinfalls or the gardens at Mainau, so we headed to town, stopped in at a local cheese factory (thanks for the yummy cheese which we consumed for the lunch the next day!!) at a hardware store for cowbells, took a walk around Pfaeffikersee (including a stop by the edge of the lake for, yep, 2 cappucinos and 1 espresso!) and finally a quick stroll through the town of Bülach. An enjoyable way to start a visit in Switzerland.

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