The road to Gimmelwald

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Although the GPS said it was under 2 hours to Steckelberg CH where we were to get the cable car up to Gimmelwald,  we took the long way around on purpose in order to arrive after 3pm.  It was a beautiful drive through the small towns and into the countryside - mostly flat driving today.
Stopped first at the COOP to check e-mails one last time in Langnau then headed south toward Thun around 10.

On the road to Gimmelwald

Close to the city of Thun, we saw a walkway along the Thunnersee so parked and walked back in toward the centre of Thun.  Spent 2 hours admiring the blue lake and a leisurely stroll along.

Thunnersee

Crossed a wooden bridge/water control dam and went to the train station WC.  back at the car we ate lunch beside the ferry dock while it exchanged a few passengers before moving down the lake.  We would see the same ferry several more times as we circled the lake.

Thunnersee

Last time here we had stayed with a great couple at a MYW B&B type home Bethli and Godfried Oesch,  so we stopped around to say hello again.  We have stayed with them on 3 occasions using it as a home base for about a week each time but are staying this time up in Gimmelwald here.  It is a high alpine town about the size of Winger and most everyone is related.

There's snow on them there mountains.

 Interestingly it is just across the valley from the more famous and much larger town of Wengen where the Wingers are reportedly to have hailed from.  We have been here before once to "Sleep In The Straw" but were just passing through.  This time we wanted to stay longer and do some hiking on the many alpine trails in the area.

Stopped to see what decorations were left of the parade.

Cows are decorated with fresh flowers for the parade down form the high alpine summer pastures.  Along with them comes the cheese and butter that was made up there over the summer.

Just before parking the car down below at Steckleberg, we came upon a group of cows near the road who had just come down from higher summer pastures.

They were all decked out in their parade flowers and must have just arrived "home".  We had hoped to see the parade- the whole town celebrates as the farmers and townsfolk also dressed for the occasion, drive the cows through town.  At least we saw the tail end of it - so the speak.

Our refrigerator

Our room

Do you see a traffic jam coming?

Main street Gimmelwald

All roads lead upwards.  Our hiking trails tomorrow barring no snow - BTW it's in the forecast though.  Yes we did bring our woolies and gloves.

We are in Pension Gimmelwald.  Our frig is the window sill and the room looks comfortable.  We hope to walk a bit tonight to see what we can see if anything.