Day 5: Black Forest and the Berner Oberland. We'll drive through the Black Forest this morning as we make our way into the Swiss Alps. At the
end of our chalet-dotted drive, we'll take a gondola lift up to the cliff-top village of Murren in the Berner Oberland, where we'll enjoy stunning views, eat dinner together, and sleep.
Still relaxed (some might say, "limp") from our baths the day before, we boarded the bus to meander southward into the Alps, stopping in Freiburg for lunch. Freiburg has a thriving market place, centered around an ancient church. It was easy to imagine yourself in the same market, a century or two earlier. It was one of the most vibrantly colorful marketplaces I've ever seen—bags of spices, stunning fruit, even marbles. Chris put his German to use, ordering us bratwursts and sodas from a market stall.
Our trip into the Alps was a time for marveling. Everything around us was monumental. The mountains overwhelmed the sky and yet the trees were so towering that they could hold their own with the mountains. Even the boulders seemed extra big. The rain started to fall as we boarded the gondola that lifted us from the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor up the mountainside to Murren. The Swiss operator must've noted the apprehensive looks on some of our faces because he winked and said "Always trust the Swiss." And you could—the ride up was as smooth as... well, a Swiss watch.
Uncle Rick was treating tonight so we met at the hotel restaurant for a wonderful dinner of fondue with Alpine musicians providing the entertainment. Cheering each other as we took turns blowing the Alpine horn, dipping crusty bread into rich, melted cheese, cracking open the second bottle of crisp white wine, and then realizing a beautiful rainbow was blossoming outside, our only thought was "Life is good!"
Day 6: All Day to Hike in the Swiss Alps. The day is all yours. You may want to ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike down. Or just wander through the meadows and play Heidi. For more Alpine thrills, take narrow-gauge railways to trailheads near the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks.
For our free day, we decided to take a family hike down through the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Catching the gondola, we descended into the mist to the valley floor. I have so many favorite memories from the trip, but this hike tops my list. The walk through the valley towards Trummelbach Falls next to a chalky-cold river, surrounded by soaring blue Alpine mountains with mist wrapping its way through them, contrasted with the green of the valley floor... well, words really can't describe it. Luckily, I brought my camera:
After 45 beautiful minutes of hiking, we made it to Trummelbach Falls, a series of interior waterfalls accessed by a lift built inside a mountain. The sheer power of the water was palpable, thundering down through the mountain, then crashing down a mere meter or two from the viewing platforms.
It started to rain in earnest after we left the Falls, as we continued down the valley to the small village of Lauterbrunnen, looking for a dry spot to have lunch. After passing a few that "just didn't feel right", we settled on an inviting cafe. We walked in to discover fellow tour members, including (once again) the Fowlers! One gondola and train ride later, we were warmly ensconced in the hotel, with a before-bed treat of all of the musical talent our tour guides and tour members had to offer—piano playing, singing, and lots of appreciation.
And now on to Munich!
