It’s a weird feeling when the event you’ve spent the last days, weeks, months, years of your life training for is suddenly over. I needed a vacation. I thought of a beach, reading a book, drinking margaritas and floating in the ocean. Toby had other ideas.
I was given a one day pass to rest (which meant packing and driving in the car to Geneva) and then it was game on. We had five days to find as much adventure in Switzerland as possible.
Day one and two were spent on road bikes climbing the foothills of the French Alps. We rode north and east from Geneva along the France border. By the sixth hour of the first day I was ready to call it a day. We stopped at the only hotel around for miles: $200/night. I blinked but exhaustion overcame me, ‘I’ll take it.’ ‘Sorry, we’re full.’ Now why would you tell me the price if you’re FULL!! Back on the bike for another hour, ouch. By the time we arrived at the next hotel I was spent. It was slightly cheaper (and I mean only slightly) but it was comfortable and the view was nice. By seventh hour of the second day I was physically finished riding, our pace had been reasonable but prior this trip I had only been on a road bike once before: I was sore and tired. As planned we found the train and took the ride all the way back to Geneva. Yes, travelling in Switzerland is easy.
Day three took us to the Interlaken area. After enjoying a view of the Stockhorn Mountain from my window in Thun I was keen to see the top of this mountain looking back at Thun. We arrived early afternoon and agreed that taking the gondola to the mid-station would allow us to hike to the top and then ALL the way to the bottom before the sunset (yes, all the way past the mid-station and down). We made good time to the top, the views were excellent, and the food was the cheapest of the entire trip! The top portion of the way down was littered with blackberries so we took our time enjoying a little dessert here and there. Reaching the mid-station we watched the last gondola go down, down, down and disappear into the trees. It was then we noticed the dark clouds coming in from behind the peak. Now it was time to hustle. The trail from the mid-station down was basically stairs… straight down. Hours later we reached the car just in time for the rain to begin.
Awaking on Day Four our legs were burning from the hike down. I was hurting but when Toby admitted his soreness I knew it was serious. Now we had to find an activity we could we do that our legs could handle. We decided we would join the tourist band wagon and jump on the train to the ‘Top of Europe.’ The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau are three of the highest peaks in Europe, famous as climbing destinations; they were developed into a tourist destination over a100 years ago. A brilliant engineer decided he would put a train through the Eiger and Monch so that tourists could get to the top of the mountains and out on to the glaciers. It is quite an experience. The train to the top takes over an hour and climbs over 9000 feet. Unusually the train stops twice; once in the middle of each the Eiger and the Monch. The train stops and you have a chance to look out through the mountain. Crazy. Basically they’ve cut holes in the side of the mountain as viewing.
At the top the views are plentiful and stunning. We walked through the ice castle for the classic ‘Top of Europe’ photos and then made our way out onto the walkway that takes you out along the glacier. The sun was shinning and at 11 000 ft the air was thin. Add some sore legs and our walk was slow and steady. The viewing tower is an amazing architectural feat and standing on the outer platform made me want to cling to the railing – scary!
Our fifth and final day in Switerland was another BIG adventure day. We joined Outdoor Interlaken for their advanced canyoning. I had been on this trip two years ago but was excited to share it with someone else. Toby was the perfect victim. Geared up in wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets and harnesses we hiked deep into the Chli Schlieren canyon. We spent the day experiencing a new way of looking at a river: jumping into small pools, sliding super fast waterfalls, and rappelling over drops. This level of canyoning is a kayakers playground or adult waterpark, we had a blast!
Switzerland is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream vacation location. Hiking and biking trails are well marked all over the country. Every corner has a new adventure; paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, sky diving etc. Only downside would be the high cost – bring a tent and some camping gear and you’re good to go (just avoid campsites beside train tracks…right Toby?).
Back home in North America, I now feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.
Photos weren’t uploading so check out this site for a taste of our adventures
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=7k3svi7v.5ss2gf3n&x=0&y=tv4ixd&localeid=en_US
