Alpine Wonders

Last weekend I hiked around a lovely alpine lake, and then sat looking out at those same Alps and wondered how I could be so blessed. 

Smitty’s supervisor had suggested to the crew that they could spend a weekend together at his home in Switzerland.  And all the men said, “we want to bring our wives.”  The weekend was chosen and all of us anticipated time relaxing, after six crazy weeks of school, in the Alps. 

Waiting for the our turn on the funicular.

 

Helen and I on the bridge.

We arrived early Saturday morning, ate breakfast, and then piled into cars to drive to Gelmerbahn, the steepest funicular in Switzerland.  From the parking lot we crossed a 70 meter deep river chasm on a seventy meter suspension bridge.  Then, if that wasn’t enough, we bought tickets to ride almost straight up the side of the mountain.  Later, in talking about the time it took, I was certain the ride lasted thirty minutes.  In truth, it lasted ten.  I was a bit scared.

Going up, but looking down

The funicular took us to a lake surrounded by craggy peaks.   All 12 of us ate a lunch of bread, cheese, and fruit, sitting on a rock and enjoying spectacular views.  Later we hiked around the lake, chatting, walking, enjoying the spectacular mountain vistas.  At some points the lake was a steep slide below us.  At other times we could have played in the icy cold waters we were so close.  Two hours and fifteen minutes later we arrived back at the beginning, ready to climb aboard the Gelmerbahn and head back to the chalet.

Lunch in the Alps

That evening, over a delightful meal of Raclette, we reminisced about the lovely, relaxing day we had.  I, for one, had been taken away from all the stressers of school, had breathed in the fresh Alpine air and lived my childhood dream of hiking in the Alps of Switzerland!