They take cows seriously here. Outside of the few big cities, I don't imagine that there are very many square miles of land without cows. And the sound of cowbells. You know the cowbells that you see (and hear) Swiss fans ringing at the Winter Olympics? Those aren't a quaint throwback -- they are a way of life. Cows really wear them. Sheep wear them too, though fortunately for the sheep they wear smaller versions. The effect is similar to wind chimes, though far more pleasing, in my opinion.

A few weeks ago, I was driving to my kids' school for the second grade play. It was just after 9:00AM on a Wednesday. Driving along a rural road not far from where we live, I had plenty of time to make the 10-15 minute trip. Until the small truck in front of me stopped for no reason. Curious but cautious, I stopped too, wondering about the cause. Then I noticed a couple of cows walking down the road. Then a couple more. Followed by countless cohorts. It was a parade of cows (not literally a parade -- there are cow parades but those are in the Fall when they bring the cows down from the mountains and the cows wear costumes for that occasion). Hundreds of cows, walking down the road. On the correct side. With purpose.

As I sat there amazed, I could see the barn from which they were flowing, clown-car-like. Unfortunately, I have no idea where they were going. I assume that they were headed to a fresh pasture but can't be certain. I wonder if they commuted home that evening. It was a surreal event, unique in the life of this suburban boy. It was also educational -- cows are huge and, fortunately for my small car, docile. I would have given anything to have had my camera with me but I'd forgotten it (the included photo was taken during a recent hike). So, I'll wait, and hope, for another opportunity to witness this spectacle that probably doesn't occur in very many places. Because few places are as serious about their cows.