Schmidt's Adventures

We officially pulled an all-nighter. We were up for 24 hours, but not exhausted. We rose at 7am, Zurich time, went for breakfast, did final packing and then off to catch train to airport. The Zurich airport is the largest I have ever experienced. So many people traveling and a long line to check-in luggage, then long walk to terminal, tram ride, then security, passport clearance, then walk to gate area, another passport check and then arrived at departing gate. Arrived at airport 2 hours in advance and got to gate with 15 minutes to spare. We left at 2pm, gained 7 hours, landed a little after 4pm. Amy picked us up, ride to Gurnee, retrieved car and drove home to Ludington. Arrived just before midnight which would have been almost 7am in Zurich. So 24 hours awake. It was a fantastic, once in a lifetime trip to say the least. Met so many wonderful people, the hiking was phenomenal and the food!!!! (and chocolate) Disclaimer- the following are my personal observations and conclusions an...

Traveled to Zurich today. Arrived about noon and spent the afternoon roaming around the old town area. The train station is a world in itself. 44 tracks and a two level mall below. We saw the famous angel that hangs overhead. The architecture is amazing all around the town, especially along the river leading into the lake. Had a drink at an outdoor cafe where all the seats are covered in lamb skins. Very cozy. Returned to the hotel for a nap. We had heard there was Oktiberfest going on, so we decided to go there for dinner. Boy, were we in for a surprise. First, almost everyone in attendance had their proper Swiss attire on. We felt out of place. Marty ordered a beer and they brought him a ceramic mug that held at least 34 oz!!! Live band, but no ompa music. They played current music from the area as well as some American songs, but sang in German. Prop,e were up on the benches dancing, singing, etc. the best was to list to Macarena in German and everyone danced. I was hoping for the c...

Today was our last day in the mountains and it could not have been more perfect. We started with a walk to the bakery for a breakfast treat and to drop-off our recyclable items. On the way back to the apartment we heard very loud cow bells. Coming up the road was a small herd. Alpabzug- when the cows come down from the mountain pastures. They are all decked out in big flower and pine head-dresses and wear large fancy collars and huge bells. I will post video on FB. The flowers were beautiful, the bells u believable. Sunny and just a bit cool, the perfect combo for a great day of hiking. We took the gondola about 2/3 up the mountain and hiked across the side of the mountains to the east of town towards the valley. We crossed the valley and then hiked around the base of the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn. We had awesome views of the east side of the Eiger as well. We passed more cows grazing and various glacial waterfalls. At one point the trail went thru a tunnel for quite a bit. Once thru,...

Another glorious day! Got an early start and walked the 10 minutes down the hill to Grund where we took another 25 minute gondola ride way up the mountain on the opposite side of Grindelwald. From the top,  we had views of the valley towns we just left and the valley on the opposite side where the towns of Wengen and Lauterbrunnen are located. We also had a 360 degree views of all the peaks which they are referring to as " the crown". We stood right in front of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. We could also see the Schreckhorn, Wetterhorn, Faulhorn where we were yesterday and the entire Schynige Platte. It was amazing to look down into the valley, see Lauterbrunnen and see the waterfalls from so high above. We took the cable car down to Wengen, a quaint alpine village, walked around and had a snack. Back up the cable car which is the only cable car that goes at a very steep incline on one continuous cable without any supports. A bit scary. Once we were back at the top of  Mannl...