worldaltem: 9/27/2019 Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland. #2

9/27/2019 Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland Lucerne - Day 3, Trip Day 32
Phone says 2.4 miles, 6633 steps, climbed 12 floors.

Kleine Scheidegg to Swiss Alps. $170. Began with a bus ride to Lauterbrunnen, passsing through Brienz and Interlaken. This is a full-day optional tour including a panoramic 40-minute train ride on the Jungfrau Railway line to Kleine Scheidegg at an altitude of 7000 feet. Enjoy the scenery and dramatic views of the Wetterhorn and Eiger North Face. Swiss fare will be served for lunch in Kleine Scheidegg. Mountains, waterfalls, lakes and charming villages will be passed along the way. Ride the cog wheel train to Grindelwald and then ride the bus back to Lucerne.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mountainside Swiss chalets and views. Breathtaking.

We left at 8:15 and returned around 5:30. We stopped for a bathroom break in Brienz on Lake Brienz. Interesting facts: In 2018, the population was about 3,000. In 2000, there were 444 households consisting of only one person. It is not surprising at that time there were over 1,100 people that had never married. The lake promenade was built during WWI. Today, all the initial steps to make genuine Swiss cuckoo clocks are still made in Brienz and then assembled in Zurich.

I enjoyed my day and the three peaks were impressive. Our guide said we were very lucky to see all three peaks at one time. Lunch was okay, with sausage, fried shredded potatoes and cabbage slaw. Seven out of thirty-one went for a thirty-minute walk. I walk well on the level, but the climb at this elevation left me winded. We found wild blueberries, cranberries and something else along the way. None of them were that tasty.

The Eiger on the left is at 3,970 meters, the Monch in the center is 4,107m. and the Jungfrau is further to the right. Jungfrau's height is 4158 meters and is considered the "Top of Europe". We did not go to the top. On our way, the guide pointed out Avalanche prevention fencing which consists of rows of sturdy, wooden structures that look a bit like extra large pallets. Some are standing alone, some are in pairs and some appeared to be connected in two's or three's. .

Three of the fountains I found along the lakefront in the town of Brienz. We stopped in the morning on our way to Kleine Scheidegg.

The boy is catching the water the woman is pouring.

The boy is holding fish that are each spouting water.

Brienz

The flags of the 26 cantons/"states" of the Swiss Confederation are displayed on the Main St. in Brienz.

This lovely building is in Lauterbrunnen, where we got on the train.

Waterfall in Lauterbrunnen.

Jungfrau. 4158 meters. We did not go to the top. The red plant in the foreground of the picture is heather. Jungfraujoch is considered the “Top of Europe”.

The Eiger on the left is at 3,970 meters and the Monch on the right at 4,107m. and the Jungfrau was further to the right. I couldn’t fit all three in one picture.

The cows are coming down from the summer pastures now. They wear bells so the owners came find them. If a cow tends to wander, it gets a bigger and bigger bell until it figures out it should stay with the herd.