The Littleness of Us

The overall excitement of a trip to Höllgrotten (or Hell's Grotto limestone caves near Baar) was somewhat overshadowed by the excitement upon encountering snowflakes that stayed on our nose and eyelashes (to coin a phrase).

Again, it was 5 degrees, but this time we had loads more clothes and a picnic lunch. We caught a 15-minute train to Zug, and then a bus which landed us on a country road, where we were watched only by a startled sheep as we stood at the crossroads... under an ominous sign pointing the way to Höllgrotten...

As we approached the caves, it grew markedly cooler. We took a steep descending track, and then a bit of a ramble through the forest until, at the base of the caves was a hut complete with (smoking) local ready to dispense tickets. (I still get confused about the fact that there's no red line through the circle. To me, this sign looks like it says: 'Need to smoke it up? Do it in the caves!' In fact, it means the opposite.)

There was a bit of waiting around while DS munched on a sandwich, but then we took the plunge. Turns out that the caves were discovered at the end of the 19th century during the removal of tofaceous limestone.




We weren't sure if it was the road to the underworld, or if it was a cold front which just happened to pass, but as we emerged from the caves (which were surprisingly warm), it began to snow.

It was short-lived, but it happened! And you don't have to be a child to feel the thrill of being in a forest as the first flakes of snow fall.