Grindelwald

M 

We criss crossed Switzerland in the time it takes to drive from Chicago to West Lafayette, the distances here will never seise to amaze me. 

Grindelwald was simply amazing. The Eiger is front and center and in  your face.

I had no idea what we were going to do. Was I surprised, we took the tram up the mountian to the base of the Eiger it was simple breath taking. And had a very distinctive profile!

Then we took the tram through  the Eiger tunnel to JungFrau it was hard to believe it was built in 1912. There were windows out of the tunnel overlooking the circle of mountians.  When we reached the top we were on the top of Europe and could see forever. The clouds came and went, one minute you were lost in clouds the next you could see forever. 

We had an incredible tour, it was Disneyland on ice. The tour takes you through the mountian to the inside of a glacier with ice sculptures everywhere.

Dancing with the Bears.

Fat mans misery.  And we even had time to lounge around.

There was a circular IMAX inside the tunnel of the entire  view, then off to the history tunnel, huge snow globe, and the Sphinx with the incredible view. The wind up the mountian blew in circles and was cold. 

Had my twirl at the top then got my last snowball in for the year.

As we made our way to the top the clouds encircled us. We could be anywhere, but do not take to many steps back. 

On our return trip Kirk wanted to hike, the good news was most of the trails were closed! We did get off the train and hiked to the next stop but it was not a death march. The country side was full of edelweiss. Made me want to break out in "The Hills are Alive"!

Where is your Heidi outfit when you needed it! 

We came down the  mountian and  it was summer again. We enjoyed Swiss cheese fondue on the patio, and watched the sunset over the mountians. 

"Delicious"

We headed off for Lazern the next day, a three hour drive that out us on the other side of the country. Beatiful city surrounded by water and mountians. I even got to ride a horse with a naked man leading me! What more could you ask for.

By the end of the day we ended up at PSI near Zurich for a tour of the labs,

 then back to Geneve. All in a day's drive, simple amazing. 

Lake District

We headed out with the dogs to the Lake District. The adventure starts not when you get there but when you step out the door. And yes our adventure started then. Thank goodness I brought my manicure kit along! The M4. (Major highway) was a parking lot all the way across the country. But then what did I expect, it was Easter holiday for everyone. We were going to stop at Crosby Beach and see the naked men statues but no time. 

We pulled into Fleetwood, just north of Blackpool and Liverpool. Strange way these people name their towns, pool. There was no swimming. Fleetwood is right on the coast, but not much of a coast. It is more like miles and miles of mud flats. Needless to say dogs loved it. Lots of nice walks, lots of wind and pretty cold. The hotel was a throw back from the 50's, big, ornate and past its prime but very classic. 

Driving through the Lake District is similar to visitng Yellowstone. Bumper to bumper traffic.  We did find beautiful hikes along the hills and lakes. The views are spectacular. Found Castleriigg a Stone Circle

to pray to the wind god for less traffic. (No Jamie yet) . Went to Keswick which reminded me of Mac Island, loads of people and a classic English village. 

Our next hotel/ pub we decided to take "alternative routes" let me tell you right now that is a big mistake. The alternative routes are filled with "adventures" and not the good kind. Although the traffic may be less, the round abouts and city driving are enough to cause marital problems. Then there are the "grey" roads. To be avoided at all costs. They are back roads that are no bigger than one car and are meant for two. They also have rock walls on both sides right next to the road and when there are not walls there are sheep sleeping in the middle of the road. Stressful driving at best. And most of the time they are not on the GPS. 

We stayed at a pub the second night in  Barrow Inverness, and rocked to country western band until about 2 in the morning. Dogs loved it and barked along with the music. 

I took my first drive, since it was Sunday, Easter morning and I thought that most people were home hunting Easter eggs and were safe from me. The funny thing about driving in England is not the left side, but trying to shift from the left. I always want to shift the armrest on the door, does not work so well. thank goodness the foot pedals are not switched. That would make for some jerky driving. The round abouts gave me fits and starts but as long as I followed the mantra, "stay left" and keep circling if you do not know your exit is I was fine. 

We did a death march to the top of a mountian and was rewarded with a view of Keswick and Derwentwater. Paragliders were jumping off the mountian in all directions. Gorgeous day, no clouds in site. Dogs had a hay day running up and down the mountian. 

The last night we spent at a B&B in Maryport. It was more like a pub in the country.  Had some punk rockers playing pool and drinking lager in bar. Seemed really juxtaposed to each other. Took the dogs for a walk in the morning and found a beautiful peacock. 

The drive home was about the same as the drive north, lucky for me I got my manicure set to stave off the boredom. The three hour drive was a 5 hour. So we stopped in Strafford for a look at Shakesperean.  

The weather was beautiful, you would of never believed you were in a England. 

Got home safe and sound, took longer than expected but all is well that ends well and my nails look great!