Interlauken: Soaring with Eagles

Written by Harold McNeill on October 2nd, 2011. Posted in Travelogue


Harold and Lynn

The Eagles Hatch a Plan

On impulse, something that is very much a part of our lives these days, Lynn and I booked a flight with a paragliding group. Over the past few days in Interlaken, Switzerland, we watched as dozens of paragliders soar like Eagles through the mountains, then touch down in the middle of the city.

It was something we did not want to miss as neither of us had ever hung in a parachute. Perhaps this statement speaks more for Harold than Lynn, as Lynn was quite happy to keep her feet on good old terra firma. Well, being the adventuresome life partner she is, the answer was ‘sure’, although to be truthful, it was given in less than convincing manner. We booked a flight for noon the next day, but as luck (very good luck from Lynn’s point of view) would have it, the next morning found the mountains shrouded in heavy cloud.

Lynn noted the dismal conditions but the transparently of her message conveyed a different though: “Well, we could just laze around and catch up on our reading. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”  Sorry Lynn, not to be, as by noon the clouds were clearing and our adventure was re-booked for 3:00 pm.

Glider GroupAfter being assigned our gear, we joined ten other hearty soles, climbed in the bus and snaked our way up the mountain road. As the city faded, the lakes and distant mountains, including Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe), came into view. While there are many wonderful mountain scenes throughout Switzerland, Interlauken (spelt both with and without the “u”, so this would be the English form) must be amongst the most scenic, as you will note in other travelogues from this region.

Of the ten flyers, Lynn was the second readying for takeoff. Standing back about three places and looking her bundled up in crash helmet and gear, my heart went out as on her face she had that look of ‘what in hell am I doing here!”

On her turn, and being the trooper she is, she and her guide were off and running – one, two, three and away.  The two looked as a papa eagle with a chick on its first flight. As they ran down the hill and the parasail gained lift, you could hear the squeals of delight coming from Lynn. Or, was that her screaming with terror?

Lynn had picked her pilot well as he was an extremely understanding man in his late twenties whose soothing words and encouragement turned her flight into an experience of a lifetime. Quite honestly, the in-flight Lynn with her pilotpictures revealed Lynn to be much more relaxed than me.  She claimed the camera could work miracles.

High in the air, when strapped in, the passenger is seated in front of and below the pilot, held in place by a snug fitting sling seat that can only be felt and not seen. Looking down between one’s legs, there is nothing but a few thousand feet nothing and then the ground (something hard I suppose).  Each time the pilot completed a leisurely sweeping turn, it felt as if one could simply slip out of the harness and begin that long fall.

While trepidation more than fear, was our companion of the twenty-minute flight, the stunning beauty of the Alps surrounding Interlauken was breathtaking. On two occasions, our pilots glided in so we were side by side so we could wave tentatively towards each other. Although we both have many dozens of hours of flight time in light aircraft and helicopters (big jets don’t count), there is no comparison to hanging in that small sling seat while suspended high above the earth. It was an awesome moment to be treasured (if not repeated!).

Later that day, when I mentioned the possibility of doing a tandem parachute drop from the Top of the World Jungfraujochh, Lynn dug in her heels. If we return, and someday I think we shall push that 11,400-foot peak a little further up our Bucket List.  In the meantime, we shall take a day to travel to the top by cog train.

Lynn and Harold McNeill

 

Scenic Mountains and Lakes Surround Interlauken

(Above Photo) Interlauken sits below several of the paragliders in our group. At the bottom left is the landing area smack in the middle of the city. There is little room for pilot error.

Scenic Gliding

Scenic Gliding

 

 

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.