Schlithorn Alp- Enmgamer doesn’t like heights so opted to stay at the cabin while we went up the mountain. It was a long day there and back on buses, trains and cable cars but oh so worth it.
At the top of the peak is a solar powered revolving restaurant that was the setting for a 1969 James Bond movie- “Her Majesty’s Service”. There’s a strong Bond theme to the place as well as an interactive exhibit about the movie. We had lunch in the revolving restaurant and sat by the window while watching 200+ mountain peaks glide pass the window. The food was yummy and time there was thoroughly enjoyable.
After some time on the viewing platforms the kids wanted to take the steps down to the path out onto a ridge on the alp. We could see people far out on the ridge. Have I mentioned that I’m not a huge fan of heights? It’s not the height that is the problem it is the repercussion of falling from said heights. I like viewing platforms just fine but walking out on a narrow path with gravely shale is not my cup of tea. However, since it is the kid’s idea of fun (they get that from their dad) I said “go ahead” and hoped for the best. Some may feel that is an iffy parenting ethic but I’d like to think adventures will help the kids develop a good head on their shoulders and self-reliance.
At the top of the peak is a solar powered revolving restaurant that was the setting for a 1969 James Bond movie- “Her Majesty’s Service”. There’s a strong Bond theme to the place as well as an interactive exhibit about the movie. We had lunch in the revolving restaurant and sat by the window while watching 200+ mountain peaks glide pass the window. The food was yummy and time there was thoroughly enjoyable.
After some time on the viewing platforms the kids wanted to take the steps down to the path out onto a ridge on the alp. We could see people far out on the ridge. Have I mentioned that I’m not a huge fan of heights? It’s not the height that is the problem it is the repercussion of falling from said heights. I like viewing platforms just fine but walking out on a narrow path with gravely shale is not my cup of tea. However, since it is the kid’s idea of fun (they get that from their dad) I said “go ahead” and hoped for the best. Some may feel that is an iffy parenting ethic but I’d like to think adventures will help the kids develop a good head on their shoulders and self-reliance.
I went a little way along the path and waited for them there. Once they rounded the bend of the snow fence I couldn’t see them for a long time. I hoped if they got into to trouble I’d hear them scream and hopefully I’d find someone to help. They made it a long way out onto the ridge and back just fine. They are the little specks you see in the distance under the red arrow. I love to see them be true to themselves and to listen to their inner voice. Their inner voice said, “go for it”, mine said, “this isn’t for me”. “I told them whenever they are faced with something hard to do to think of this day and how they went out on a swiss alp by themselves. I was proud of them for venturing out. When we return with Paul they want to go even farther along the ridge.
I can’t begin to describe how pretty Switzerland is- snow covered mountains, cows wearing bells, little farms, brown houses with shutters and beautiful overflowing flowerboxes, excellent transportation, waterfalls, swift flowing rivers, pretty lakes, clean cities, super high standard of living. (Although when I mentioned the high standard of living to the kids they questioned that and pointed out we were staying in a place with pit toilets). There are hiking trails everywhere. We only went up to an observation site up on the steep hill by the cabin but there appears to be quite a network of well-marked hiking trails all over the region. We saw lots of people with backpacks and hiking poles. Many of the people were older, likely retirees. People seem very fit. No wonder.
We discovered a safer path to get to the cabin so used that to go back and forth to the bus stop. It was good little walk in itself. As per the Airbnb host, I visited the farmer near us to buy some eggs. Many of the farms had combined houses and barns. I would have loved to have a tour of the farmhouse building. The cows, milking parlor, rabbit hutches, goats and chickens seemed to live in the lower level; the farmhouse was up above as was a place for farm machinery I think.
I had offered to the kids that we could leave a day early and go on to Basel, Switzerland and spend the night in a hotel. They liked that idea very much so that is what we did.
I can’t begin to describe how pretty Switzerland is- snow covered mountains, cows wearing bells, little farms, brown houses with shutters and beautiful overflowing flowerboxes, excellent transportation, waterfalls, swift flowing rivers, pretty lakes, clean cities, super high standard of living. (Although when I mentioned the high standard of living to the kids they questioned that and pointed out we were staying in a place with pit toilets). There are hiking trails everywhere. We only went up to an observation site up on the steep hill by the cabin but there appears to be quite a network of well-marked hiking trails all over the region. We saw lots of people with backpacks and hiking poles. Many of the people were older, likely retirees. People seem very fit. No wonder.
We discovered a safer path to get to the cabin so used that to go back and forth to the bus stop. It was good little walk in itself. As per the Airbnb host, I visited the farmer near us to buy some eggs. Many of the farms had combined houses and barns. I would have loved to have a tour of the farmhouse building. The cows, milking parlor, rabbit hutches, goats and chickens seemed to live in the lower level; the farmhouse was up above as was a place for farm machinery I think.
I had offered to the kids that we could leave a day early and go on to Basel, Switzerland and spend the night in a hotel. They liked that idea very much so that is what we did.