Oh an Austrian Went Yodeling on a Mountain so High

Our Happy Place

We've all been singing this song since we got to Switzerland (don't ask Aubrey to sing it, she doesn't want to), but it has never been more appropriate than now as we've arrived in the Berner Oberland...or some might call it Heaven.  Every view is breathtaking, every spot song inspiring.

We left Bern this morning and couldn't get out of there quick enough because it was supposedly the last sunny day we might have for a while and we wanted to get  a chance to see the Alps.  Our Swiss Rail pass covers all trains throughout Switzerland...except the lifts and cogwheel trains that make transportation in the Berner Oberland possible, so if one is going to pay the Francs, one wants to make sure it is worth the extra money.  So, anyway, we traveled out of Bern at 8:34 am this morning and settled in for a gorgeous ride arriving in Interlaken Ost station for a change over to Lauterbrunnen, which we will call home for the next two nights.  This area is the area whole amusement parks have tried to replicate, sharp cliffs, jagged snow capped  mountains soaring into the blue sky, partially obscured by wispy clouds, and traditional Swiss mountain chalets at every altitude.  It is indescribable, and frankly probably boring to hear about for someone who has never been here:  photos could never do it justice, I am just so glad we came.

The Swiss people are hard working, proud and orderly.  It is evident in every thing...their homes, their parks, their transportation systems.  Because of their mentality, a aura of peace blankets everywhere, and I for one, totally appreciate it.  Maybe because I love the calm, and I crave it on days at home when life is chaotic and overwhelming.  When someone tells me from now on to think of my happy place, it will more than likely be one of the lovely spaces we have been today.

The snowy way into Allmend

We got off the train in Lauterbrunnen, and literally dragged our bags and selves straight up a steep climb to our hotel.  The girls think it is the cat's meow, we have a large "family room" which is really like a small apartment.  I am pretty sure it hasn't been updated since the 1960's (and while there is a little kitchen area, the oven doesn't work), but it is roomy and right now I am sitting at a booth in the kitchen area comfortably typing this.

Starting our trek to Allemend

We didn't stay long at the hotel.  After dropping off our bags and then making a quick stop at the local grocery store for supplies, we hopped on a train up to Kleine Scheidegg for a view of the Eiger and Jungfrau.  We thought we might be able to hike from Wengen (4,180 ft) 3 hours to Kleine Scheidegg (6762 ft), and did make it about an hour before calling it quits because the snow was slushy, icy and hard to walk on, that's when we found the cogwheel train at Allmend and went to Kleine Scheidegg.

At Kleine Scheidegg, looking at the Eiger

A Toblerone for the masses at Grindelwald

After gazing at the lovely view up there, we decided to take the cogwheel back down (and when I say down, remember we are still in the Alps, down is totally relative) to Grindelwald where we walked around that cute touristy town for a bit and found a park, which of course, had a climbing wall...why not?

Just your regular Swiss view from
everywhere

From Grindelwald (3393 ft) we made our way on foot to Grund (3,096 ft) where we caught a lift to Mannlichen...about 35 minutes back up or over, whatever you want to call it (7,317 ft).  Gorgeous views up there!!  Then, we headed back down to Wengen by a steep descent gondola, spectacular!  Then, we ignored everyone's advice (they first looked at our shoes (tennis shoes) and then shook their heads), and descended by foot into Lauterbrunnen (2612 ft).  Woah, was that a steep downhill Wanderweg.  I asked Jeff what he thought the grade was on the way down and he guessed maybe 15%, I was thinking more like 90%.  Quinn, Gillian, and Aubrey of course ran down and Shelby humored her mom and dad (feeling every single one of our 40 years) and stayed with us, although at one point said, "Let me show you how to skip down a mountain."  We declined her offer and just watched her do it.  We got back to the hotel and sat on our balcony and took in the views from whence we came.

Shelby overcome with emotion inspired by the
beauty she sees...or something like that

On the lift to Mannlichen

In Mannlichen

On the way back to Lauterbrunnen

See one of the many waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen area over my
left shoulder, Lauterbrunnen below

Shelby demonstrating the down-mountain skip

We are, every one of us, a little sore, but loved every single view, every single spot and every single memory from today.  I am not sad that we didn't ski this trip, although it seemed like at times we were the only ones who were not, it has been great getting a view of the Alps with the kids by our wandering.  If it does't rain tomorrow, I might talk the girls into some sledging, but we lack snow pants, boots and snow jackets, which might stink...so, I guess we'll just have to come back another time.  The mountains will call us.  I know I said it before, but this peacefulness, which is such a polar opposite of the tension I felt in Israel (don't get me wrong, although the tension is there, it is part of the culture, just like the peace is part of the culture here), is such a perfect way to end my wanderings.

Valdereeeee, valderahhh..my knapsack on my back.