This was our final morning for breakfast served by our helpful host, Denise. She was a wealth of knowledge about the weather, activities, choices of hikes and schedules in and around Murren. We shared breakfast with our friends from Atlanta, a young couple from Pennsylvania, and a family from Australia with three adorable little girls. The twins were six, and the youngest little girl was four. Their accents were precious, and they were extremely well-behaved.
Today was a day of hazy sunshine. We were thankful it wasn’t raining, but would loved to have had clear skies for our activities. We checked out of our rooms, but Denise was gracious and allowed us to store our big backpacks in the common room until we were ready to leave town.
We decided to take the “Mountain View Hike”, which was advertised to be a hike of about an hour and a half. That hour-and-a-half must have been set by someone who hikes for speed, and does not own a camera or want to look at scenery or wildlife, and does not take time out for fun along the way. It took us three hours to complete the hike.
We stopped at one place where it looked like a steep drop-off, but was actually a rolling hill. We decided this would be a perfect place to stage some “falling from the Alps” photos.
There were cows to stop and watch. We have learned that the Swiss put bells on their cows so they can locate them, and that the bigger the bell, the more important the cow’s pedigree is. This one must have been really important to have earned such a large bell.
We followed the path, but reached one point where it crossed a stream, and the cows decided to take over that particular spot at the moment we happened along. Apparently cows that need a drink outrank hikers. The cows would not move, so we had to cross the stream at another point slightly higher up on the mountain.
The hike ended at Grutschalp. There is nothing in Grutschalp except a small train station, but it is where we were able to catch the next train to take us back to Murren, thus eliminating the need for a three-hour return hike. We were first to board the train, so Donna Jo and I asked if we could sit up in the cab with the driver (engineer?), and he told us we were welcome to do so. Since Jack and Olen had not thought of it first, they were selected to be our photographers on the ride back.
Our plan was to return to Murren, buy some cokes at the small grocery store, and sit down and eat our lunch while looking at the mountains, which were playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. We were surprised to learn that in Murren the only grocery store closes for about two hours for lunch. Yes, you understood that correctly. The only place in the village where you can purchase something to eat (other than a restaurant) closes every day at the time everyone is wanting food to eat for lunch. Go figure.
So, we refilled our bottles of water, found a bench and sat down to enjoy our apples, crackers and water while looking at the beautiful Alps. This was our lunchtime view today.
We also enjoyed watching several para-gliders floating past us. This is a favorite sport in the area. People with more money than sense rent gear and jump off one of the cliffs over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, which is about a half-mile below. During their sailing adventure they float past several of the little villages in the area. It was interesting to watch, but none of us felt the urge to tempt fate in that way.
We took more photos in Murren. This is Donna Jo and Jack on a stump overlooking the valley below. They had on their Texas burnt-orange shirts today, and looked quite festive.
We finally left Murren…took a train back to Grutschalp…took a lift from Grutschalp to Lauterbrunnen…took a train from Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswill…took an historic cog train from Wilderswill to Schynige Platte. This photo was taken on the last little train.
The train climbed higher and higher, never leveling off until it arrived 45 minutes later at Schynige Platte. There is nothing here but a restaurant and historic hotel, and a fantastic view of the Alps. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the clouds had moved in and there was not an Alp in sight. In fact, nothing was in sight. We checked in and spent the last part of the afternoon washing out a few clothing items, and getting cleaned up for dinner.
We were scheduled to be at dinner at 6:30, and it took two hours to “dine”. The meal was wonderful, but by the time we finished eating, we decided to call it a day. We are really hoping for clear weather tomorrow so we can see the beauties that surround us. It is shame to be so close and not be able to see the area. However, we need to make it an early night. These hikes are exhausting.
We have not heard any news since last Thursday. We are counting on all of you to keep your part of the world running smoothly until we can get back. It is quite relaxing with no TV. Perhaps ignorance isn’t so bad after all…at least for a season.
Today was a day of hazy sunshine. We were thankful it wasn’t raining, but would loved to have had clear skies for our activities. We checked out of our rooms, but Denise was gracious and allowed us to store our big backpacks in the common room until we were ready to leave town.
We decided to take the “Mountain View Hike”, which was advertised to be a hike of about an hour and a half. That hour-and-a-half must have been set by someone who hikes for speed, and does not own a camera or want to look at scenery or wildlife, and does not take time out for fun along the way. It took us three hours to complete the hike.
We stopped at one place where it looked like a steep drop-off, but was actually a rolling hill. We decided this would be a perfect place to stage some “falling from the Alps” photos.
There were cows to stop and watch. We have learned that the Swiss put bells on their cows so they can locate them, and that the bigger the bell, the more important the cow’s pedigree is. This one must have been really important to have earned such a large bell.
We followed the path, but reached one point where it crossed a stream, and the cows decided to take over that particular spot at the moment we happened along. Apparently cows that need a drink outrank hikers. The cows would not move, so we had to cross the stream at another point slightly higher up on the mountain.
The hike ended at Grutschalp. There is nothing in Grutschalp except a small train station, but it is where we were able to catch the next train to take us back to Murren, thus eliminating the need for a three-hour return hike. We were first to board the train, so Donna Jo and I asked if we could sit up in the cab with the driver (engineer?), and he told us we were welcome to do so. Since Jack and Olen had not thought of it first, they were selected to be our photographers on the ride back.
We did enjoy our unobstructed view from the front seats.
Our plan was to return to Murren, buy some cokes at the small grocery store, and sit down and eat our lunch while looking at the mountains, which were playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. We were surprised to learn that in Murren the only grocery store closes for about two hours for lunch. Yes, you understood that correctly. The only place in the village where you can purchase something to eat (other than a restaurant) closes every day at the time everyone is wanting food to eat for lunch. Go figure.
So, we refilled our bottles of water, found a bench and sat down to enjoy our apples, crackers and water while looking at the beautiful Alps. This was our lunchtime view today.
We also enjoyed watching several para-gliders floating past us. This is a favorite sport in the area. People with more money than sense rent gear and jump off one of the cliffs over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, which is about a half-mile below. During their sailing adventure they float past several of the little villages in the area. It was interesting to watch, but none of us felt the urge to tempt fate in that way.
We took more photos in Murren. This is Donna Jo and Jack on a stump overlooking the valley below. They had on their Texas burnt-orange shirts today, and looked quite festive.
We finally left Murren…took a train back to Grutschalp…took a lift from Grutschalp to Lauterbrunnen…took a train from Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswill…took an historic cog train from Wilderswill to Schynige Platte. This photo was taken on the last little train.
The train climbed higher and higher, never leveling off until it arrived 45 minutes later at Schynige Platte. There is nothing here but a restaurant and historic hotel, and a fantastic view of the Alps. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the clouds had moved in and there was not an Alp in sight. In fact, nothing was in sight. We checked in and spent the last part of the afternoon washing out a few clothing items, and getting cleaned up for dinner.
We were scheduled to be at dinner at 6:30, and it took two hours to “dine”. The meal was wonderful, but by the time we finished eating, we decided to call it a day. We are really hoping for clear weather tomorrow so we can see the beauties that surround us. It is shame to be so close and not be able to see the area. However, we need to make it an early night. These hikes are exhausting.
We have not heard any news since last Thursday. We are counting on all of you to keep your part of the world running smoothly until we can get back. It is quite relaxing with no TV. Perhaps ignorance isn’t so bad after all…at least for a season.
My favorite phrase of the day "People with more money than sense"
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