10.25.2010

France -Days 1 and 2

Day 1
We were picked up at the airport by Nate and Doug where we then drove about 2 hours to Interbauen, Switzerland to meet up with Sarah, Joanna and Ayla. Along the way we stopped at a reststop. Similar to the states, aside from the face that there was a little food vendor selling some of the best espresso I'd  tasted to date...standard.


The Michael men at the train station in Lauterbruen, Switzerland.


The car ride was remarkable. We all chatted and laughed as we bobbed and weaved through the snow covered mountains of the Swiss Alps. In reality, the alps aren't as big as the rockies, but for some reason they are way more breathtaking. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Every zig and zag brought us to a new view that would leave us all mouth agape. 

Once we met up with the rest of the group there were hugs, passings of the baby, high pitched reunions and grins ear to ear. It was so great being all together again.


Ayla immediately became fascinated with Josh and about every 10 seconds or so would say "Hi Josh!"

We ate lunch at one of the quietest restaurants i've ever been to. About 15 people in the restaurant other than us and anything above a hushed speaking tone would have drawn attention. Yummy food though!
It's never too early in the day for a toast in Europe.


After lunch we took a tram up to frozen-in-time Gimmelwald.



Barak Obama was there.
They love them some Mr. President Obama there in Switzerland.
Again, surrounded by mountains that astounded all of us, except Ayla who was mesmerized by a cat she found. "Ha Kitty Cat?" (where's Kitty Cat?)was her favorite cute phrase for that trip.



Topping off Gimmelwald with some delicious coffee (aka espresso) and dessert at a little restaurant. We were told by our server that we made it to Gimmelwald just in time, as we were there on the last day before they closed for the season!


we headed back down to Interbauen and then on to Wangen where our hotel was located. To get to Wangen is only accessible by train so I got to ride on one of those for the first time ever.  Ayla took a little nap on me during the ride up. It was so sweet.
i'm looking a little haggard here due to restless sleep on a plane the night before and no shower that day. Gross!

Wangen - another town nestled at the top of the swiss alps. A carless city only accessible by train.  Paved with red brick and embracing every sterotype of a quaint little village one could imagine. Our hotel/spa had one of the most relaxing and interactive adult-only pools ever. With "Silence Please" signs posted all over the pool room walls, a bed of massaging bubbles, multiple jets, a lazy-river, glass walls overlooking the alps and a nude zone Sauna/Steam room, it was apparent that this was a place of rejuvination and relaxation.

Dinner that night consisted of delicious cheese and breads washed down with some Cotes-du-Rhone and beaujolais villages and lots of laughter. Perfect.


Day 2
Hit up the pool one more time before leaving Wangen. Got yelled at for not being nude in the nude zone. Took a the train back down to Lauterbruen were our cars were. Saw some of God's glory on the way back down in the form of cloud cover.


Upon reaching the car the boys went to work getting all our luggage packed and secured in a very classy and inconspicuous way.
Duck tape!


We jammed 6 large adults, one toddler, and all our luggage into a 6 person car and headed to Interlochen for some sight seeing. I was crammed into the back of the tiny vehicle and let's just say my tummy wasn't quite used to the nutella, cheese, and chocolate cereal with whole milk at breakfast (they take milk seriously in Switzerland! It must be the docile cows.)  I was ready to get out by the time we made it to our destination. In Interlochen we found a restaurant as quickly as possible (due to my urging) so we could get out of the car.  and we ate a delicious lunch and spend our first shopping money of the trip on a cute hippy dress and a blouse.



After Interlochen we drove to Geneva to spend our last evening with Doug and Sarah. Upon arrival after a semi-stressful trip to a nearby grocery where Doug may or may not have gotten into an argument with a rude French man over some lettuce and where the phrase "Au revior to YOU!" may or may not have been said, we  enjoyed another mixed simple dinner in the hotel room of cheese, bread, salami, tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic. Mixed emotions of sad goodbyes from Doug and Sarah filled with the excitement of the remainder of our trip filled the room that evening. I felt really blessed to be there. I am so fortunate to have such a great, generous, funny and fun in-law family. 

That's all for now! Hopefully later this week, or next week I will have day 3, 4 and 5 wrapped up in a pretty bow for you, like this one. :)

5 comments:

  1. I don't have a good enough exclamation - "Wow" just doesn't cut it. When I saw you had posted again I wanted to see it quick before I hop in the shower and run off to class (where I have a big presentation). I will come back later and look/read/enjoy. But for now...N U D E B A T H I N G A R E A?!! hahaha. Love you.

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  2. Great photos, Kat!! thanks for posting. I love seeing them all. post more!

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  3. ok, really need to know more about the Au Revoir to YOU moment ;)
    Also, what was the name of the hotel you stayed at in Wengen? Curious minds want to know!

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  4. SOOOOO amazing. I am so unbelievably jealous, truly I am!!!

    I'm glad you entered the giveaway--not the first on the blog, but it's definitely been awhile since the last one!

    Also, I need your email address. I keep trying to email you responses to your comments but it goes to the "no reply" blogger address. Hahaha.

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