Decisions in the rain
Thursday morning in Lucerne is painting itself in shades of gray. I woke up to the sound of raindrops against my hotel window and the distant rumble of what might be thunder. The weather forecast on my phone confirmed what my eyes could already see – rain, wind warnings, and a day best spent somewhere indoors.
It's 12:00 now, and I've spent the morning in a peculiar state of limbo. Today marks my third day in Lucerne, and while I had originally planned to stay longer, I find myself contemplating an earlier departure. The severe wind warning that's in effect until tomorrow morning has me reconsidering my hiking plans – apparently gusts could reach up to 150 km/h above 1800 meters. Not exactly ideal conditions for exploring alpine trails.
After yesterday's visit to the Swiss Museum of Transport, I had hoped to spend today wandering more of the old town and perhaps taking that boat trip on Lake Lucerne I've been looking forward to. But the weather seems determined to push me indoors.
I arrived at the hotel restaurant for breakfast at 7:50 this morning, giving myself plenty of time before they closed service at 9:00. The rain was already steady then, creating rippling patterns on the windows that distorted the view of the mountains. Over coffee (good, but still lacking that certain something), I pulled out my tablet and began researching options.
Interlaken was my tentative next destination, but I'm also drawn to the idea of heading south, perhaps to Lugano or even across to Italy. The thought of Mediterranean sunshine is particularly appealing as I watch the rain pool on Lucerne's cobblestone streets.
"Excuse me," I asked the server as she refilled my coffee cup. "Do you know if the boat tours on the lake are still running today with this weather?"
"They should be," she replied, "but honestly, you won't see much with this rain and fog. Maybe tomorrow will be better? The forecast shows clearing in the afternoon."
But tomorrow I had planned to move on. The familiar restlessness is creeping in – that sense that it might be time to seek the next destination. I've seen the Chapel Bridge in the serene early morning, climbed the city wall for that panoramic view, and explored the Transport Museum. My Lucerne checklist is mostly complete, save for the lake cruise and hiking.
After breakfast, I ventured out despite the rain, properly equipped with my waterproof jacket and boots. The old town takes on a different character in the rain – fewer tourists, more umbrellas, and reflections of medieval architecture in puddles. I ducked into a small café around 10:30, ordered another coffee, and spread my map across the table.
500 days seemed like such a long time when I started this journey 58 days ago. Now, with 442 days remaining, I'm increasingly aware of how quickly time passes. Each decision about where to go next feels weighted with the responsibility of making the most of this opportunity.
The rain has eased slightly now as I write this from another café near my hotel. I've decided to stick with my original plan to leave today, but I'm adjusting the destination. Instead of Interlaken, I'm heading to Locarno in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. The weather forecast there shows sunshine for the next few days – a stark contrast to the storms passing through here.
Sometimes travel plans need to flex with the weather, and that's okay. I've learned that there's no point forcing experiences when conditions aren't right. Lucerne has given me moments of stillness and beauty that I'll carry forward, particularly that peaceful morning on the Chapel Bridge before the crowds arrived.
My train leaves at 14:36, giving me just enough time to return to my hotel, pack my things, and check out. As I look out at the rain-slicked streets of Lucerne one last time, I feel a mixture of gratitude for what I've experienced and anticipation for what lies ahead. Perhaps I'll return someday when the mountains aren't shrouded in clouds and the lake sparkles in sunshine.
Until then, I'm following the promise of better weather southward, counting on the legendary Swiss train system to deliver me precisely on time.
![Rain-slicked cobblestones in Lucerne's old town]()
Note to self: 442 days remaining. The journey continues.