Saturday, 14 January 2012

the view from the top...



I didn't know that the Matterhorn has an elevation of 4478 metres 
 That the word 'matterhorn' comes from the German words meaning 'meadow' and 'peak'
That the first ascent was on July14, 1865
That the Matterhorn is the 10th highest mountain in Switzerland
That the four faces of the Matterhorn face north, south, east and west


My first experience of the Matterhorn was riding the bobsleds at Disneyland Anaheim...  and my first knowledge of Switzerland came from Heidi... one of my most loved childhood stories...As good as that was, nothing beats the real thing... Have a brilliant weekend... xv

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images- vicki archer

25 comments:

  1. **** Ohhhhh, Vicki, do these two photos bring back the MOST WONNNDERFUL, FABULOUS, FUN-FILLED MEMORIES of our 18+ years of living (and skiing) in Europe!!! THANK YOU!!! (And I think I'll make SCHNITZEL for dinner tonight "in honor of" these memories.. I think Jim will really LIKE that (especially since I do NOT cook very often!!!).

    2,012 wishes for a happy new year!!!

    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  2. Enjoying your skiing trip from warm Southern California. Ditto on the Matterhorn/Disneyland note, especially since it is just about 10 minutes from here! But years ago when I saw the real thing, I was so surprised at how great they had replicated it here.
    Loved your post yesterday...skiing and shopping are synonymous in my view! Happy, fun trip!

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  3. Vicki..these pictures are killing me......you are making me crave a visit to Switzerland, have only been once about 8 years ago....soooo beautiful at every turn and my goodness the cleanest most pristine country ever! Enjoy...

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  4. Stunning photos...loving your blog...

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  5. ....It holds a deep place in my heart...My fathers ashes were scattered there. Thanks for the beauty!

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  6. I love "Heidi"--I hadn't thought of this book in years. Happy skiing, Mary

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  7. Stunning photos, Vicki. I've enjoyed reading about your ski adventure - (CHOCOLATE!!!!)

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  8. I have to agree with you! The majestic peek of the Matterhorn makes Zermatt one of the most beautiful ski towns in the world. Your photos are making me want to pack my bags and jump on a plane. Have fun!

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  9. So many memories Vicki of my stay in Switzerland!!

    Xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  10. a place i have always wanted to visit... and will one day... (soon!)
    i am craving fondue... this is all so exciting... loving your posts...
    thank you for taking the time to share... xoxo

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  11. Adore the comparison of Disney + Matterhorn! Too apropos + true. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  12. Thanks for the beautiful photos and sharing your trip with us

    Jo x

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  13. Completely gorgeous! I can only imagine how breathtaking this would be in real life! I'm with you...I was lucky enough to get a good view of the Swiss Alps en route to Africa. I hope one day to stop and take it all in though!
    XO
    t

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  14. What beautiful weather you seem to be having. I worked at Disneyland, so that's the only Matterhorn I've seen in person. Have a wonderful skiing vacation.
    Karen

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  15. my knowledge of the matterhorn is about the same as your.
    i would love to be singing in the meadows about now instead of in my office.
    xx

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  16. Heaven Vicki. So glad you are having a wonderful time and sharing it with us. A-M xx

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  17. Spectacular, thank you!! We have little snow in the western US right now, although our NY region may get a dusting. Nothing like that blue sky and those elevations.

    Happy pictures.

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  18. An amazing mountain. It is indeed beautiful but can also be ferocious to which the mountaineer’s graveyard in Zermatt can attest! It is interesting to note that some of the first climbers who fell to their death were women - obviously not in long dresses. I admire the pluck of, and have a pang of sorrow for, who lie in the graveyard as a result of following a dream.
    Bon weekend

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  19. What a spectacular mountain! I learned a lot about it from your post today. :) I love your photos, and i loved Heidi too. And the Sound of Music, though i know that's set in Austria; i adore the gorgeous mountain scenery...

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  20. Vicki! This is so amazing! Such beauty to see.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  21. Haha! Your first experience of the Matterhorn and your first knowledge of Switzerland are very similar to mine. Hope you enjoyed yourself tremendously.

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  22. Beautiful - I've never been to Zermatt!! We used to go to Grindelwald and I have beautiful shots of the Jungfrau from my bedroom window - but they are slides (from the era when that's how we used to shoot). Someday I'll have to have them converted.

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  23. Just been sharing "Heidi" with my nine year old daughter...it was a book I read over and over as a child growing up in Melbourne.
    The chapel in your first image is so gorgeous, we saw a tiny chapel when we took the cable car to Pilatus. It was balanced on the steepest ledge and I wonder how on earth they built it!
    ciao for now
    lisa

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  24. What a great photo I loved Switzerland I toured there with a dance company many moons ago it was a lovely experience the only sad thing we were not allowed to go skiing on the slopes which was frustrating when your 21 but the disappointment didn't last to long when we sat drinking hot toddy's in St Moritz tee hee.

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  25. Stunning photos...loving your blog...

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