Raspberries in the Corner

Today was a large day.  We gave Doug/Daddy an early birthday present of a trip to the top of the mountain on the Brienz-Rothorn Steam Train - clouds or no clouds.

It turned out to be 'clouds' as we couldn't see beyond our front deck all morning due to the clouds blanketing the side of the mountain.  Regardless, we ventured out and made it just in time to fold up the stroller and jump on the train - all with a rush of instructions in Swiss German from a very friendly train conductor.

The climb began as soon as we left the station.  The steam engine pushed us slowly but steadily up the mountain with a rhythmic chugga-chugga-chugga.  Noah was transfixed ...

It didn't take long for the views of the lake to spread out below us as we climbed higher and higher (the starting elevation is 1,857ft above sea level and the ending elevation is 7,500ft) along the edges of impossibly steep clifs and through tunnels.

The higher we climbed, the closer we got to the heavy cloud cover.  We had to pull out hats and jackets for the kids as it got colder, too.

As we entered the clouds, it was as though a thick fog had descended on us.  We could barely see the hillsides on either side let alone any distance.  Then, suddenly, we burst out of the clouds into a crisp, warm sunny day with the most incredible view imaginable.  It was as though the clouds were an ocean below us and the mountain peaks were islands.  It was beautiful.

At the top, we stopped at an extortionately expensive (even by Swiss standards) restaurant for a sandwich and schnitzel, followed by a stroll further up the mountain and some time just soaking in the view.

We were even treated to a display by the Swiss Airforce, who were practicing maneuvers overhead the entire time we were on the mountain.

The trip back down was just as exciting and interesting, with Noah leaning out and watching the train travel the whole way back down.

Needless to say, after an hour trip each way (the trip covers 7.6km one way) and a couple of hours at the top of the mountain, we had two tired kids on our hands.  Catherine fell asleep in the car on the way back and it wasn't difficult to settle Noah for a short nap before supper.  

Both kids were in a great mood this evening.  Noah ate a huge helping of pasta and vegetables (the mountain air is doing wonders for his appetite!) and Catherine serenaded us with raspberries (a fun new habit she has picked up since we have been away) from her playmat in the corner while we ate.  It was very cute and made for an entertaining meal.