Switzerland weekend

Ever since our honeymoon, so many years ago, Rebekah and I have spoken longingly of Switzerland and the Lauterbrunnen valley. Thus, when the opportunity arose, we were excited to make our return. Plus, we would be fulfilling a promise we made to each other in 1996 in these very hills.  That commitment was to have children and bring them back here someday.

Despite being one of the uglier times of the year (in between winter and spring), The valley did not disappoint us. This is what you imagine when you think of Switzerland; mountains, waterfalls, cows, small churches, lakes, wooden homes...  

Luckily there was enough snow on the ground for the kids to work on an 'ice cave'. They spent many hours hallowing it out, and vowed to sleep inside it one night (which did not happen by the way).

In the valleys, the waterfalls and rivers were staring to flow. 

Flowers were starting to bloom, and the snow was slowly receding into small dirty piles. 

The fresh chilled water tasted amazing, especially flowing from the many public fountains. 

In a few more weeks, this place would be covered in green grass and colourful blossoms. We were just a bit too early.

However, we came to see the snow. Not a problem. A short, if expensive, tram ride up the cliffs solved that issue.

We arrived to the lip of the valley to find plenty of it, hard packed and a bit slushy. It was not great for skiing (at least for picky skiers), but it made for great hiking.

We set off on a trail to the small village of Murren at the top of the valley.

Shayne stopped along the way to grab an icicle to quench her thirst.

Luckily it was a a calm, somewhat warm day. Lucky for our Nephew Chase anyway, who decided to wear shorts on our snow hike.  He did not complain. 

With Skiing out of the question, we decided to go sledding.  We each grabbed a sledge and made out way to the Funicular train up the mountain.

None of us knew what we were doing. How hard could it be? We figured gravity would do most of the work.

That proved to be true, and before long we were zooming down the mountain trails.  Unfortunately, steering did not come quite as naturally.

Rebekah won the prize for falling off the most cliffs. In fact, she is still limping around today thanks to one of her crashes.

Despite her many adventures, the scenery was breathtaking, and we all descended the mountain in one piece, more or less.

Rebekah had plenty of people to help her hobble back to our apartment that night.

We decided to enjoy a warm Fondue that night. Typical Swiss fare we were told. Plus, food always helps Rebekah feel better. And who does not love melted cheese?

Actually the kids would have preferred melted chocolate to the exotic cheeses, but we really had no idea what we were doing. We were lucky to get one fondue going.