Between Sunrise and Gruyère

Daily miles: 30.5. Total miles: 15,766.06.

My alarm rang at 4am. I was still carrying the happiness from yesterday evening with me, but I also knew it had once again been too little sleep. My cousin got up just a few minutes after me and made me a hot capsule coffee while I packed and got ready. At exactly 5am we left for the car in the garage, and he drove me back to Laupen while the sky slowly began to brighten. I really enjoyed those quiet thirty minutes together in the car, talking and starting the day side by side. I love early mornings. I have always been an early bird, drawn to those fresh first hours of the day, often spent outside in solitude.

At around 5:30am he dropped me off in Laupen. I packed the buggy, sat down on a bench for a moment to sort out my route and think about where I might sleep later. I figured I would either find a campsite or maybe stay in a hotel about thirty miles away that still had a few rooms available. I thought I would call later and see if they might offer me a better price.

I started with very tired legs on a gravel bike path through the forest. The morning was beautifully cool, the sunrise behind me, with gorgeous colors spreading across the sky. There were only a few people out—mostly dog walkers enjoying the quiet morning hours. At one point I met Janine and her son Ferdinand, and I really enjoyed our short conversation. Encounters like that add something special to a day.

I crossed beautiful rivers and followed them for miles, and about two miles before Fribourg I crossed the Grandfey Viaduct high above the Sarine valley. What an impressive bridge and such a stunning view from up there. Soon after I reached Fribourg and called the hotel I had looked up earlier. The price she offered me was the same as online, so I said I might call again later—or stop by if I passed through.

The route continued through Marly and farther into the countryside. Later I crossed Lake Gruyère, and not much after that I passed the Le Gruyère cheese factory. I would have loved to stop and see if there was cheese tasting inside. That definitely has to wait until after the run.

When I finally arrived in Vaulruz, I went into the hotel and the woman I had spoken to on the phone welcomed me. I asked again if there was any chance for a lower price—and she said yes. Thank you. I was so happy to hear that. A room, a shower, and a bed felt like a luxury tonight.

Later I went shopping, had a salad and some rice for dinner, and now one eye is already closing while I write this. Time to sleep.

Sleep well, Andrea