Day 19 A Very Rainy Day in the Swiss Alps
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Grüezi (Good day)! This morning we woke up to the crisp, cool mountain air and the distant sound of rushing water from the nearby river. The gentle chirp of birds reminds me of a magical place, a fairy tale. Last night we got a little warm in the room, but after opening the window we were fine (chilly even!). We had an option to wake up early and go up to the top of the nearby mountain Schilthorn, however due to cost and cloud cover we opted to sleep in and have a later breakfast. Breakfast in the Swiss Alps featured several types of bread, several samples of Swiss cheese (not all of it filled with holes), several types of jam, yogurt, cereal, orange juice and water, and hard boiled eggs. One of the cheeses they offered was kept in a container with a lid. This was because it is a stinky cheese. It is actually really stinky! It smells like dirty feet. It sadly tasted like it a bit too. After a hearty breakfast we prepared for our 9:30 departure to gather our group mates from the gondola and from there cruise onward to the "corkscrew" waterfall (Trümmelbachfälle or Trümmelbach Falls). The falls consists of 10 glacial waterfalls which you can hike to or ride the funicular. The falls are hidden within a crack in the mountain that you can see as you approach the mountain. From the parking lot for the waterfall we had a very short walk up a paved path toward the nearby mountain. We approached a cave in the mountain side where we would catch the funicular up part way. From there we had a opportunity to walk to the top. The gentleman running the lift was very funny. As we approached the top of the funicular there were stairs and a very narrow hole up ahead. He told us that the doors would open there and that we would have to climb up though this tiny hole to see the falls. Not even two seconds later the door next to him (behind us) opened and we all turned in surprise and laughed. Thankfully we would not have to crawl up the small hole. We took the man's advice and walked upward to the top of the waterfall. We were awed by the power and mighty roar of the falls as it literally drilled its way, like a corkscrew, through the mountain. Being so close to the falling water you really do have a greater respect for nature and its force. The caves we walked through were moist and slick in some places. Throughout the walk there are several places where you can stop to view the water falling. It would have been grand to see the entire waterfall from a distance if that were possible. All the same it was still a pretty neat experience! Part of the walk also took us outside of the mountain so that we could look out over the valley, beautiful. We finished up with our tour a little early and headed back toward the bus. We hung out by the visitor's center for just a little bit of time. While we were standing there Mom and I noticed a lovely sound floating on the air. We followed the harmonious sound of chimes carried on the air until we spotted the source of the sound. There was a herd of sheep farther back in a meadow. They had their bells on and they were ringing ever so cheerfully. We stopped to listen and enjoyed our peaceful moment before heading back to the bus where the rest of the group was now waiting. |
After the falls our next stop was in the town Lauterbrunnen. From here we were going to ride a gondola to Grutschalp, gaining just under approximately 1,800 feet in altitude. However we had just a little bit of time in Lauterbrunnen before the next gondola left. This time could be used for shopping or grabbing something for lunch. We walked through the town and ended up at a little gift shop located at the far end of town. Here I picked up a little Bernese Mountain Dog plush knowing that he would go well with my cow. By the time we left the shop we had only a few minutes to return to the gondola station and so we ended up running through the town. When we arrived we were the last of the group to reach the station. However we would have had more time to spare. Once we got to the station we still had to wait for a few minutes more before it arrived and was ready to carry us up.
Once up at the top we had an opportunity to use the restroom before starting on our walk. There was an option to take the train at our own expense, however Dimitri insisted that the walk was well worth it. Therefore we opted to walk. It was going to be a steady and gradual walk from Grutschalp to Mürren. Soon the group attending the walk was spread out over quite a distance. We walked along green meadows of flowers. Every so often we would see a patch of snow off to the side of the road. At one point a snowball fight broke out between a few members of the group. Emily was a part of this as well. Due to the warmth of walking she was wearing a tank top so no one wanted to hit her with snow. While calling truce she had to go and throw one more snowball at one of the gentlemen in our group, Pat. So Pat made a special snowball for her to get her back. She took off at a steady jog at first which slowed down to a fast walk. Pat then placed the snowball in his felt hat to carry along. Soon the three of them were far ahead of me (Mom included). They played a good long game of cat and mouse. When Pat would get closer Emily would start to jog away. We later found out, once Pat caught up to Emily and, thoroughly pleased with himself, squashed the snowball into her arm, that he had relatives who were Texas Rangers. That was the reason why he did not give up and give in to Emily's final snowball. At that time Emily claimed that it felt good to have the snowball rubbed into her arm as she had been going pretty quickly much of the time while trying to get away from Pat. Eventually I called ahead to the group, asking them to wait up for me so that I could walk along with them. Finally we were all together once more. Thank goodness! It was also around this time when it started to rain. I am sure that Pat was thankful to have his hat back as well! Emily and I put up our umbrellas and we trudged on. As we grew closer to Mürren the rain became heavier and the clouds also drew in until we were surrounded in dense cloud cover. When the town of Mürren came into view we were more than relieved! We were also way past lunch time at this point and I was feeling quite drained. The first building in sight was a restaurant, however there were signs posted all over that picnicking was not allowed. We had packed sandwiches for our lunch and so we had no intention of purchasing food. Therefore we had to go and find another place to eat. We settled for some nearby stairs which we took up to a little sheltered area that was away from the main street. Here we had our sandwiches and some apples we had gotten earlier. After lunch we decided that it was time for us to head on down back to Stechelberg since it was damp, cold, and pretty miserable up on the mountain. We touched base with Dimitri so that he could give us some directions to the gondola station. With that we took off deeper into the town. Along the way we spotted a single souvenir shop that was open. We ventured closer as the rain was still coming in a steady downpour. Upon approaching we realized that the shop was full with some Asian tourists. We admired the postcards outside the shop and waited for the other tourists to clear out before going inside. When we did go inside the shop owner was busy picking up after the other tourists. "They come in, make a mess, and leave." She muttered, along with a greeting. We held up some light conversation with her as we looked over the items in the shop. Emily finally found the plush dog she had been looking for and I picked up another. I also got a pretty bracelet with a silver Edelweiss. While purchasing my items I asked her if she had some of the smaller change that I could exchange bigger change for. I had been trying to collect all of the coins. She patiently went through my coin collection with me, finding the prettiest coins she had in the denominations that I did not have. She then pushed them toward me. When I tried to offer her change in return she said, "It is only $0.35 cents. You keep it." She was such a sweet lady! She also gave us renewed instructions on how to get to the gondola station that would take us back down the hill. A little further on down the road we finally spotted the station. We eagerly entered and moved on to the gate where we would catch the next one down. The area was nearly deserted other than some nearby construction workers. We waited a few minutes before a couple other people showed up to ride down. In total we had to wait about 20 minutes for the boarding to begin. Emily, Mom and I were first in line to board. The conductor said, "I have never seen anyone so excited to go and board a cold gondola." We had to laugh. Part of our motivation to get on as early as we could was due to the sudden appearance of a hoard of Asian tourists who appeared, seemingly, out of thin air. The three of us rushed to a corner where we could sit. We glued ourselves to that spot determined not to budge as the gondola quickly filled. Soon we were moving down the cables, floating over the ground. Clouds blew past, sometimes obscuring even the ground, which was not that far away. It was fascinating to watch as trees and buildings came in and out of our view. Before too long we arrived at another gondola station where we had to make a transfer. Being squeezed into the corner of the gondola we were some of the last ones off. With the swarm of people outside of the gondola going this way and that I became lost and confused. Due to that I almost missed the next gondola which Emily and Mom were on. By the time I reached the doors to the gondola it was packed tight. I had to push my way in despite the resistance I received from a woman standing near the door who glared at me like I had slapped her. Geesh! Help a gal out! I had to suck it in until the door closed behind me. Then I could turn around and gaze out the window as we descended through the clouds. Once we reached a certain area the valley below opened up revealing the large and beautiful Mürrenbach Waterfall. Due to my lucky position I was able to get a very nice shot of the falls. However I was just as excited to get off the gondola and enjoy my freedom of personal space! |
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Postcards from me to you |
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Lisa and I determined that we had unknowingly taken the local's seats. We sat there working on our blogs until the restaurant was closing down. Then we retreated outside where it was far less comfortable and much more chilly. It seemed like the internet went out with the lights as well. I gave up after a bit and returned to my room to snuggle beneath those warm sheets and sleep for a few hours. Tomorrow we drive to a little town in France called Beaune. That should be an adventure! For now, Auf wiedersehen! Gute nacht!
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