Yosemite Hike - 2011

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The Way(s) We Roll...through Switzerland

Lucerne > Mt. Pilatus > Lucerne > Interlaken > Murren

Today we traveled by train, cog wheel, funicular, gondola, zip line, toboggan, city bus, taxi and our two feet.

We started early to get to Mt. Pilatus to avoid crowds and to maximize the allotted 3 hours on the ropes course we've been promising Shelby. Although the clouds were socked in preventing views of Lake Lucerne and the valley and of tops of the mountains, none of it was disappointing.







Worlds steepest cog, 47% climb a majority of the time, although pictures can't do it justice. Straight up from the base of the mountain lake level, to 7000 feet elevation above the clouds.










Hike to the top of Mt. Platus early morning above the clouds.


One happy man!



One happy girl react to do the ropes course and zip line!



Swiss alp rope park, fun but yet the scariest thing I have done. We conquered the Easy and a level of the Medium, but didn't get close to the Hard. Awesome zip lining and tobogganing too.










Down by gondola, back to Lucerne, then off on an absolute stunning train to Interlaken.





Upon arriving in Murren we told the girls they got to figure out the connecting trains for the rest of the day and and find our hotel.

First, stop fighting over who holds the ticket. Second, read for connecting train times, platforms, etc.



Third, remember hotel name and find it on the sign.


Fourth, find hotel in the map.


Fifth, start walking!!!



Didn't want to stay at the base of the Eiger, Jungfrau, or Monch, so train up to furnicular, another train to Murren. Unfortunately missed the last cog up the mountain to our Pension above Murren, but were saved by a passing Swiss family with a cell phone that not only is friends with the pension's owner, but also has the only taxi driver in Murren on speed dial!





Amazing to arrive at Pension Sonnenberg to see the Swiss and California flags waving hello. Turns out the owner Steve is from Santa Cruz and has been here for 28 years. He reminds us so much of Uncle! Steve showed us our room and let us dinner was ready when we were!

First course Homemade Vegetable Soup & Bread and "syrup" for Shelby.
It taste like crystal light or Kool Aid.



Main Course: Bratwurst Loaf w/grilled onions, pomme frittes & green beans.
Dessert was homemade banana bread with coconut pudding and it was good!




This is the view from our room at 8:30pm. The town of Murren is way down below!






FPOD
Shelby: The ropes course, toboggan ride and views of Mt. .
Sydney: Mt. Pilatus and arriving at the Pension and seeing where we are staying.
Jana: Seeing amazing views, watching my daring kids, going fast on the toboggan and the views on the train.
Scott: Steepest cog, climb Mt. Pilatus, ropes course & toboggan


Word/Sign of The Day: We're pretty sure it means "central parking" and that it's open to anyone as long as they put money in the meter.



Location:Lucerne

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