Several Sacrifice Sleep to Search Scenic Schilthorn
Breakfast was at 6AM for our adventurous group of 13. This was a bit of a free day, with several options put before us. I was in the group that wanted to go to the top of Schilthorn Mountain. When in Switzerland, one must explore the alps!
Shortly after 7:30 we were on the bus with Richard driving to the gondolas. Of course these weren't gondolas in the sense of the boats on the Venice canals in Italy. These were ski lift types of gondolas, meant to take you up the mountainsides! This form of transportation is common in the rural areas of Switzerland. People take them to work, kids take them to school, and tourists take them to explore!
Our wacky Schilthorn Explorers group consisted of Dimitri in the lead, Imants and Barb, Karen, Pat and Dennis, Julie and Joe, Tom and Ila, Lannie, Pat and me. (Picture courtesy of tour-mate, Julie)
Our wacky Schilthorn Explorers group consisted of Dimitri in the lead, Imants and Barb, Karen, Pat and Dennis, Julie and Joe, Tom and Ila, Lannie, Pat and me. (Picture courtesy of tour-mate, Julie)
The views from the gondolas are stunning. That word is going to start sounding redundant on my pages. There just aren't enough words to describe the beauty of the alps. At that time of morning they were swathed in clouds, adding to their drama.
We took a series of four gondolas for about a half an hour to get to the top of the mountain. In one of the gondolas, we were fortunate enough to meet Mary Lou! Julie came right out and asked if she would let her drive the gondola. To our surprise and joy, she said yes!
We took a series of four gondolas for about a half an hour to get to the top of the mountain. In one of the gondolas, we were fortunate enough to meet Mary Lou! Julie came right out and asked if she would let her drive the gondola. To our surprise and joy, she said yes!
The Schilthorn has an elevation of 9,744 feet. If you consider that the Eiffel Tower is a whopping 984 feet tall, you'd have to stack ten Eiffels to reach the top of the Schilthorn. The mountain overlooks the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From the Schilthorn you have views of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch mountains.
When we arrived at the top, it was very strange. We were the only people there. What's at the top of the mountain? Not much, just the big revolving restaurant, called Piz Gloria, with its complete 360* views and small gift shop. In the underbelly of the building is the Bond World 007 interactive museum. I went down there for a short time to take a peek, but the truth was, being at the top of the Schilthorn is all about being at the top of the mountain. It's all about the views, baby!
The restaurant is surrounded by walkways that let you enjoy the views from every possible angle.
I must say that is was FREEZING COLD! I was wearing a 3/4 sleeve thick cotton shirt, a fleece vest and then lined raincoat, which I usually sweat in. This was the perfect combo for staying warm, but I'm so glad I brought ear muffs and gloves! The few times I took my gloves off for pictures, my fingers went instantly numb.
The views reminded me of outer space or an alien planet... in outer space! The jagged black peaks were covered with snow and the clouds were swirling all around, giving me the sensation of floating. It was incredible.
When we arrived at the top, it was very strange. We were the only people there. What's at the top of the mountain? Not much, just the big revolving restaurant, called Piz Gloria, with its complete 360* views and small gift shop. In the underbelly of the building is the Bond World 007 interactive museum. I went down there for a short time to take a peek, but the truth was, being at the top of the Schilthorn is all about being at the top of the mountain. It's all about the views, baby!
The restaurant is surrounded by walkways that let you enjoy the views from every possible angle.
I must say that is was FREEZING COLD! I was wearing a 3/4 sleeve thick cotton shirt, a fleece vest and then lined raincoat, which I usually sweat in. This was the perfect combo for staying warm, but I'm so glad I brought ear muffs and gloves! The few times I took my gloves off for pictures, my fingers went instantly numb.
The views reminded me of outer space or an alien planet... in outer space! The jagged black peaks were covered with snow and the clouds were swirling all around, giving me the sensation of floating. It was incredible.
Outside on the walkway is a life-sized James Bond cut out. Dimitri looks ready to take 007 on- or take over his role!
My buddy Pat at the top of the mountain. I really loved hanging out with Pat. He's funny, kind, and very intelligent.
Don't you just love his hat? He had the best idea in buying pins at each location to decorate his hat. It was a fairly inexpensive souvenir idea that didn't take up space or weight a ton. It was fun to see all of the pins he collected, and the hat was a perfect display for them!
Don't you just love his hat? He had the best idea in buying pins at each location to decorate his hat. It was a fairly inexpensive souvenir idea that didn't take up space or weight a ton. It was fun to see all of the pins he collected, and the hat was a perfect display for them!
Julie was excited to climb the mountain for many reasons! As I mentioned in the scrapbook on Day 8, Julie is the Queen Bee of geocaching! She knew there was a cache on the top of the Schilthorn, and she was determined to find it!
With a limited amount of time, she was getting anxious to claim her treasure. She asked if I wanted to help her and I thought it might be fun!
We ran all over the mountaintop, looking for places where a tiny treasure might hide. We went inside the building, searching the restaurant and the 007 area to no avail. Double checking her sources, she was certain it was outside somewhere. Finally, we got a bit brave- or brazen perhaps. We climbed down off of the lookout and found a service staircase. There was also a roped off area designed to help prevent you from falling to your doom (I'm feeling dramatic here). We chatted back and forth about where it must be tucked away. Joe came down and offered his thoughts on things. We knew we were close!
Julie climbed over the chain and under the staircase. Sure enough, it was tucked into a little pocket under the stairs. Julie pulled out the little container and extracted the log book. We signed our names and put it back. I'd just completed my first geocache!
Of course I was really only Julie's willing accomplice- I mean assistant! She did all the work. I merely kept her company and helped her bounce ideas around.
With a limited amount of time, she was getting anxious to claim her treasure. She asked if I wanted to help her and I thought it might be fun!
We ran all over the mountaintop, looking for places where a tiny treasure might hide. We went inside the building, searching the restaurant and the 007 area to no avail. Double checking her sources, she was certain it was outside somewhere. Finally, we got a bit brave- or brazen perhaps. We climbed down off of the lookout and found a service staircase. There was also a roped off area designed to help prevent you from falling to your doom (I'm feeling dramatic here). We chatted back and forth about where it must be tucked away. Joe came down and offered his thoughts on things. We knew we were close!
Julie climbed over the chain and under the staircase. Sure enough, it was tucked into a little pocket under the stairs. Julie pulled out the little container and extracted the log book. We signed our names and put it back. I'd just completed my first geocache!
Of course I was really only Julie's willing accomplice- I mean assistant! She did all the work. I merely kept her company and helped her bounce ideas around.
Memorable Moment
Memorable Moment
On our way down the mountain we were delighted to once again see Mary Lou. This time, I got the pleasure of driving the gondola!
Picture credit below to tour-mate, Julie.
Memorable Moment
Before long we met the rest of our group at Trummelbach Falls. The falls are the result of glacier melt from the Mönch, Jungfrau and Eiger mountains. The falls are a series of 10 falls inside the mountain. The area is 40 feet wide and 459 feet tall. The falls carry 5383 gallons of water per second!
To get up inside the mountain you take a tunnel lift. Then you work your way to the different levels inside and outside. With my bad ankle, I wasn't sure if I could handle all the levels. But I took my time and did it! The falls are just spectacular! I spent a chunk of my exploration time with Karen. She is such a lovely person, inside and out. I hadn't spent a lot of quality time with her, so I enjoyed her company immensely!
To get up inside the mountain you take a tunnel lift. Then you work your way to the different levels inside and outside. With my bad ankle, I wasn't sure if I could handle all the levels. But I took my time and did it! The falls are just spectacular! I spent a chunk of my exploration time with Karen. She is such a lovely person, inside and out. I hadn't spent a lot of quality time with her, so I enjoyed her company immensely!
The tiny blue and green figures in the center of this picture are Karen and Julie!
Don't expect to stay dry at Trummelbach Falls! But do expect great views!
Picture below courtesy of tour-mate, Lori.
Dennis & Pat, me, Lannie.
Dennis & Pat, me, Lannie.
After the falls, we travelled to Lauterbrunnen for a half hour break. Karen joined me and we had a little explore.
Curious Capture
These pelts were hanging outside of a shop. They were so soft! I kept looking around for angry members of PETA, but they weren't to be seen.
We caught another gondola to Birg (I think). From there we got out to have a 4 mile alpine walk to Mürren.
It quickly became apparent that our group would be divided into fast and slow. You can probably predict where I was. Lannie and me, Ila and Tom, and Lynn and Robert took up the caboose. The others were fast enough that soon they were way out of sight!
For we cabooses, the walk on the trail was about enjoying the scenery and fresh air, not breaking speed records. So we took our time. The others would get to Mürren before us, but we figured we could find our way back home. Eventually!
The walk really was something spectacular. Until it started misting. Then the mist turned to sprinkles, and the sprinkles turned to rain, and the rain became heavy.
It quickly became apparent that our group would be divided into fast and slow. You can probably predict where I was. Lannie and me, Ila and Tom, and Lynn and Robert took up the caboose. The others were fast enough that soon they were way out of sight!
For we cabooses, the walk on the trail was about enjoying the scenery and fresh air, not breaking speed records. So we took our time. The others would get to Mürren before us, but we figured we could find our way back home. Eventually!
The walk really was something spectacular. Until it started misting. Then the mist turned to sprinkles, and the sprinkles turned to rain, and the rain became heavy.
We were pretty soggy by the time we reached Mürren! We didn't know where the others were, but fortunately, somebody spotted us out the window and Dimitri came and greeted us. It was wonderful to get inside where it was warm. And dry.
Lannie and I each ordered a glass of wine and decided to split a ham pizza. It was glorious!
Lannie and I each ordered a glass of wine and decided to split a ham pizza. It was glorious!
Most of our group had gone off ahead, back to the hotel or into town, with instructions from Dimitri. He waited for those of us left, and we walked through the spooky fog to where we could catch our ride.
Back at the hotel, Pat asked if he could treat me to a slice of Black Forest cake. Still full from dinner, but who in their right mind would say no Black Forest in Switzerland, we decided to share a slice. Lannie then joined us. It was a delightful treat for three!
My dogs were barking hard. So I decided a nap might be the perfect cure for achy feet. I never went to sleep, but I enjoyed the quiet, relaxation, watching the views out of my window and just being in the moment.
Supper that night was at 7:30. We had potato and celery soup, salad, pork sausage with hashed brown potatoes and ice cream for dessert.
I sat with Tom and Barb, Pat, Lannie and Dimitri. Later Little Ricky joined us. When our waitress came over, they started giving her a hard time. She grinned and gave it right back. With as many tours as they've all done, they know each other quite well. It was always amusing to watch Dimitri and Richard with the local business owners. It was clear they were well liked.
I sat with Tom and Barb, Pat, Lannie and Dimitri. Later Little Ricky joined us. When our waitress came over, they started giving her a hard time. She grinned and gave it right back. With as many tours as they've all done, they know each other quite well. It was always amusing to watch Dimitri and Richard with the local business owners. It was clear they were well liked.
The evening was spent relaxing, visiting and watching the locals come in. Later, I joined Lori out in the mild evening and we sat across from each other on our laptops, working on our blogs until bedtime.