Switzerland-20th anniversary

 Brent and I finally got to celebrate our 20th anniversary by going on a trip to Switzerland (even though it was 21.5 by the time we went).  My kids have told me that our Italy blogposts are too detailed and long and boring.  So, I am going to just mention the highlights and spare you from all the insanely gorgeous landscape photos.  

We spent a few days in the city of Lucerne, which is a lakeside town flanked by massive mountains.  We explored the city, the mountain tops and enjoyed the amazing views. 

Riding a ferry across the lake

Just an insanely green forest hike we did

Using google translate to figure out what kind of chocolate to buy at the end of our chocolate factory tour

This structure on the top of a peak is where a James Bond movie was filmed

No, we are not standing in front of a painting.  This was gorgeous and you could hear the cow bells from across the mountains

The famous waterfall where Sherlock Holmes died

The second half of our time was spent in Muren, a small village at the top of a mountain above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  This was our favorite location.  We had to take a tram, then a bus, then a gondola, then a train just to get to the city.  There were no cars, but we woke up each morning to the sound of cow bells as the local farmers ran their herds through the streets.  

We spent most of our time here hiking and exploring the valley (which contains over 70 waterfalls)  The first day, we just started walking down the the town below us.  We kept stopping and just staring at the valley below.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I am convinced that this is the most beautiful place on earth! 

 We stumbled upon a hostile with amazing pizza, who was just about to host a wedding with this view in the background WOW!

After this meal, we decided to just keep walking down.  We didn't realize how many miles and how steep that hike was going to be.  After a few miles of this, my knees starting really hurting. It was a long exhausting hike down and my knees hurt for the rest of the trip. We ended up needing to modify a few hikes and I rented hiking poles to help.

I started walking sideways to help with the pain

One day was spent in the valley, exploring the waterfalls, riding bikes, and getting rained on

Breakfast at the top of a peak, eating in a rotating glass-walled restaurant.

There are clean water spigots everywhere to drink from

 I think a highlight for me, was this hike.  

Stopped to pet a cow

We found a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, serving hot apple cinnamon donuts.  We ate outside listening to the cowbells and enjoying the scenery.  I honestly, could have stayed there for hours.  It was amazing!!!

Hiking Aare gorge was really fun

This was the best bratwurst Brent has ever had (say that three times fast)

Our trip was a smashing success, and we just kept saying how badly we would love to take the kids some day.  Words cannot describe the beauty and majesty!  It was so much fun for Brent and I to share it together.  20 years is definitely something to celebrate. Happy Anniversary to us!!