Our journey continued into Switzerland this past week, but the weather wasn’t nearly as cooperative as the prior week in Chamonix. Our minimal selection of attire was definitely stretched trying to stay warm in the frigid conditions and this was definitely not the place for us to be shopping. The cold weather brought on some colds for a couple of us, but everyone pushed on to enjoy our week in the Swiss Alps.
Luckily the sun did come out for at least a few hours each day and a couple days were mostly sunny and a bit warmer, so we capitalized on those opportunities to explore the area. Airbnb selections were marginal for the first time, but we found an apartment listing through a property management company which turned out great.
A full day of rail travel took us from Chamonix to Martigny to Montreux to Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and finally our home base in Wengen. Behind us is Lake Geneva during a layover in Montreux.
Mountains, lakes, flowers and sunshine; sounds good!
Too much train picnic wine?
Everyone’s house is neatly decorated with flowers and most have a selection of vegetables in a garden as well.
Plenty of animals to practice counting in German.
We’re gonna need a hat for this weather and luckily scored on the clearance rack. Bonus for the play area while mom and dad perused the store.
Layers and layers of clothes for a mix of sunshine, cold breezes and rain.
Took a short hike at the end of day 1 towards a scenic viewpoint near Wengen.
Enjoyable just to stroll along the paths in the neighborhood.
Came upon this farm with all sorts of animals to meet.
View across the valley towards some waterfalls and Murren.
We try not taking many of these scenery-only shots, but thought the last one didn’t do it justice.
A friendly kitten joined us from the farm out to the viewpoint. Charlie enjoyed romping around with it.
Day 2 was a rack railway and cable car excursion across the valley to Murren and a search for an advertised playground in Winteregg. The cows were very intrigued by Charlie. Mom’s cross-fit workout is a strenuous downhill hike with stroller recline for an hour while Charlie naps.
The Winteregg playground was discovered and as cool as advertised.
Everyone gets to ride the mechanical cow.
Look, no hands!
Loving these swings that seem to be in most European playgrounds.
Not sure were else you can find a playground with this type of scenery.
Here comes the sun…
It hasn’t been raining enough today, so let’s go walk under a waterfall for one final soaking of the day.
The view from our apartment balcony. I believe this was the one evening where it was balmy enough to sit out back with a beverage to fully enjoy it.
Indoor activities for day 3 due a constant rain and the Floridians needing a break from the cold. Let’s learn how to play solitaire.
Poker face
Day 4 was a cable car up to Mannlichen for a kid’s trail challenge to collect 13 stamps on a map for a prize.
First stop is the playground at the top with a huge cow slide (bummer, it was inoperable)
Freezer bowling
The latest in high-tech trail strollers. Let’s start the trail and collect some stamps!
Keep an eye out for these hiding cows!
Another stamp station with beautiful scenery.
Time to practice on the Alphorns!
Earned a chocolate treat from a local passerby for such good musicality.
I believe this smile summarizes Charlie’s European adventure so far. He could’ve stayed on the zip line the rest of the day at this station.
The final station on the trail and obtained our last stamp! Grindelwald is in the valley background.
Day 5 was a trip down to Lake Brienz for a ferry boat ride.
Interesting channel marker
I’m on a boat!
Impressive piece of machinery propelling this ferry.
A kids area in the forward hull was a hit and used by many parents to get some quiet time on deck.
Picnic lunch in the Brienz ferry shelter while waiting on the rain to pass.
Half and half goats on our short hike up to explore a free animal park.
A definite hierarchy of these ibex with the size of the horns seeming to indicating their rank.
This bird’s head feathers definitely resembles someone..
Firewood stacking summarizes the personality of Switzerland with nature, structured order and efficiency being important.
Lake view in a shelter pit stop awaiting the rain to pass again.
Our last day was a cable car trip over to Grindelwald to locate an advertised playground in Bort.
Let’s head over by the sunny side
Cable car over the kid’s trail we hiked earlier in the week. (Note to anyone on a budget in Switzerland, avoid this cable car from Mannlichen to Grindelwald)
Out best smiles for a strenuous hike from Grindelwald up to Bort. Everyone else was walking down..
Lots of scenic rest stops for us on this steep hike. Definite challenge in pushing a stroller compared to the hiking backpack we had previously.
Mountain donkeys which appeared to be expecting a food donation after we took this picture.
Success! Another awesome playground, but a lack of kids with it being 5pm and 50 degrees in mid-September.
Learned on day 1 that no shoes are allowed on the seats in Switzerland. Easiest thing was to just take them off and have at it!
My hamstrings hurt just watching him do this move. Spending his time in the womb in this position seems to have given him some serious flexibility.
Traveling from Switzerland to Italy, we had a stopover in Spiez. Original itinerary had us going to Germany/Austria, but we need some warmer weather so we are headed south!
Let’s burn some energy before the next train
Soaking up some rays near the playground on the bank of Lake Thun.
Another great view from the Spiez train station. Auf Wiedersehen Switzerland!
Chris, Cindy, Charlie and Cecily’s Adventure Blog 