The Beginning of the End

It's beginning.  Every time we do something we say, this is probably the last time.  Keith and I went away for the weekend and I'm pretty sure it was our last overnight trip.  We took a two and a half hour train to the eastern part of Switzerland.  We rented electric bikes and spent the day riding around in the Graubunden Region.  It was cloudy and a little cold but we were lucky that it never rained.  We spent the night in a cute little town called Chur.  We saw some beautiful things and it was fun to spend time in an area of Switzerland that we had not been before.

We saw this church on a hill and rode until we got there.

Got there

The statue is pouring water out of a pitcher, what were you thinking?

Chur

Third times a charm

For my birthday last year we went to Chamonix for the main purpose of going on the Aiguille du Midi.  It is Europe's highest cable car and I have been told has the greatest views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.  On my birthday the cable car was closed for repairs.  When we arrived in Chamonix on Saturday it was closed due to wind.  We took the cable car on Sunday and even though it looked pretty clear, by the time we got up to the top the clouds had rolled in.  I was so disappointed.   Monday when we woke up, the skies were clear and Keith and I left the kids home and literally ran to the lift.  This time we got to see most of the incredible views.

The first day we took a tour train around town in the rain.

The second day started out looking like this.

But then the clouds rolled in. 

And the top looked like this. 

After our failed attempt to see the views, we went to an amusement park with an alpine slide that was more like a roller coaster.  We bought the kids a pass that allowed them to go as many times as they could in an hour and a half.  Part way through it started raining and at one point it was hailing quite hard.  They said the hail hurt their face, but it didn't stop them.  Josh got in ten runs, Kelly nine, Dru three, and Keith two.

so wet

Even with all the rain, it was a great day.


Monday we tried again and this time it was pretty clear.

Mount Blanc

The bridge that takes you to the elevator.

The elevator is inside this massive rock and takes you to the look out point.

Besancon - our last day

My first impression of Besancon was not very positive.  Much of the town is under construction while they put trams through the city.  But by the third day we had found the places to be and the town reminded me of a small scale Paris.  All the buildings are made from the same color stone and are so ornate.  We rented bikes again on our last day and this time rode out of the city and into the forest.  We got home late Sunday and as we walked in the door the kids said, Ohhh, home so early.  Nice to feel loved and missed.

Gotta love the French pastries.

Roman Ruins

Beautiful streets

I love the turquoise doors.

The Citadel at night.

Camping - written by Josh, pictures by Lori

 Thursday, May 9, I went to to the Brady's and repacked all of my stuff.  Then we went in the car and drove to Kandersteg International Scouting Center.  We waited for the other scouts to get there.  We chose our campsite, used wagons to pull our equipment to the site, set up our tents and the canopy, had lunch and then had a lesson on building shelters.  Afterward I made a tripod seat and then we had foil dinners and went to bed.   

Friday, I woke up and I was soaked from head to toe from the rain.  I changed my clothes and then Mohawk(yes, that is his real name, cool)  and I made pancakes.  We cooked it on a propane stove and I was surprised how long the fuel lasted.  We had to eat in a pavilion because it was raining quite hard.  We then had a lessons on making fire without matches and first aid.  By lunch time the rain finally stopped.  We played "hunger games" the rest of the day.  

Saturday we had more pancakes for breakfast and then went on a hike to Oschienensee.  After the hike we had lunch and packed up everything and went home.  It was so much fun and the Brady's made it extra great.

Trying to dry my socks and shoes. 

Not a bad spot to camp. 

Playing hunger games. 

Warming up by the fire.

Hike to Oschiensee

Walking to the gift shop.