Switzerland 2018: Day 10

I started the day with a hike/run.  Mostly on the hiking side of things.  My calf is still angry and I knew we had a day of hiking planned and I didn’t want to have it hurting all day.  I did the Panoramaweg which goes around the other side of the valley from where we are staying back towards Lauterbrunnen.  It was very pleasant and felt good to move a little bit without someone hanging on my arm or wearing a backpack.  I also think my calf is getting better.

Good morning friendly cow!

I really enjoyed the sounds of the bells in the mornings.

The light coming in the mountains.

Lauterbrunnin in the background and goats.

After breakfast and we managed to get the herd moving, we walked back down to the Lauterbrunnen station and took a large cable car up to Grutschlalp.  From there we hopped on a train to Murren.  We decided we needed a snack so Wren had her first ice cream bar and loved it.  It was one of those chocolate covered Magnum bars.  Flynt got some good roll time on our picnic blanket.

This is the waterfall we can see from our bedroom, just a better angle and better light.

Walking through town, Wren likes to hold my hiking poles like this and I'm a cart horse.

Our ice cream spot.

After a short walk we took a funicular to Allmendhubel where there was the coolest playground I have ever seen.  It was supposed to make the kids feel like they were the side of ants and the whole thing was plant and insect themed.  It was so creative and well thought out.  It really challenged the kids physically for a wide range of ages, gave them a fodder for their imaginations, and taught them some physics without them knowing it with the water play and some other things.  There was also a couple of underground tunnels and a periscope.  It was so fun and it had a view to rival the Matterhorn playground.  We let Wren play for a really long time but eventually had to get moving.  It was an amazing place for her to play.

Restaurant and playground with the alps in the background.

The playground.

Wren is by the zip line

Grass hopper climbing structure.  

There is a kids adventure trail that is easier walking and has a couple places with playground equipment along the path for the kids.  We took this trail back to Merrin.  One of the highlights of the day for Wren was the “Rainbow slide” which was one of these hidden playgrounds along the path.  We also played a mixture of peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek that Wren made up and it was a really lovely day.

Someone offered to take a family photo for us and actually took the picture, YAY!

Having fun with Wren

Little houses dotting the path.  I think this is where people stay in the summer when the cows and sheep are in the high pastures.

We had a super late lunch when we got back to Merrin.  Mushroom soup, a really delicious and interesting cheese sandwich with mustard, avocado, caramelized onions, and carrots and cheese and cranberry toasties.  Yum!

Flynt having a good roll at lunch - I just felt like he should be included.

Taken from across the street from lunch.

Our lunch spot.

My cute little bear!

Stunning!

Sheep, a gondola and the alps - it doesn't get any more Swiss in one picture.

Sun starting to go behind the hills.

It was just so pretty!

We hiked down to Gimmelwald which was a short but much steeper hike.  I think Wren was a little tired at this point but was a good sport and then we took another cable car back down and a bus to our apartment. 

By that time it was dinner time and Jeff and I wanted to keep it easy so I popped across the river to a little campground that has a tiny grocery store and grabbed some food for an easy pasta and veggie dinner.  What a beautiful day and what a tiring one.  Time to hang up laundry to dry and go to bed.