Ruth’s Diary

August 3, 1939 Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen to Zurich – a good 90 kilometers. We had onagaga for breakfast – raw oats, slices of peach, banana, apple, & orange with milk & sugar. We also had a fruit course of grapefruit & gooseberries. We cleaned the hostel thoroughly after breakfast & got on our way at 9 o’clock. We rode at a good pace all the way – and again I was joined by Harold, who rode with me all the way. We rode along Lake Constance & then along the Rhine. There were fortifications all along the Swiss side which were camouflaged with green paint. We couldn’t see any on the German side. We passed sentries frequently. By 11:30 we were in Schaffhausen & we bought things for a picnic lunch. Just beyond Schaffhausen is Rheinfall where the Rhine has its origin, but I was feeling tired already & not yet half way to Zurich so I didn’t stop. Harold & I arrived in Zurich about 5 o’clock – & inquired many, many times before we got to the hostel – then only to find it was the wrong one, so we then came on to this one, which was up a steep, steep hill. I wonder why all hostels seem to be situated on a hillside or mountain side. I met two Dutch girls: both of which spoke English. They were all very, very congenial. I went to bed for a couple of hours as I was tired & not feeling very well. I got up & ate a little supper & then back to bed again. (mail – Pearl & mother)