Today was another free day with no group activities planned. Paul decided to go on a walk in the morning and several of us joined him. We took the gondola, which was very different than the one we took in Venice, up to Wengen, and then walked down to Kleine Scheidegg. When I got out of the gondola, I was blown away by the scenery. There were huge peaks no matter where I looked, green grass on the gentle hills within the mountains, and cows everywhere. Another pinch me moment for sure!
Our walk was scenic and took until about lunch time. After the previous night's storm, I was grateful to have a picture perfect day for our walk in the Alps. We chatted, stopped to take in the views along the way, and enjoyed each other's company.
We stopped for lunch just above Kleine Scheidegg at a Rick recommended restaurant. Paul let us know what time the train was coming into town that would take us back to Lauterbrunnen and set us free for lunch. We were back in the Germanic world, and a return to sausages and potatoes. In Switzerland, the potatoes come as rosti which is kind of like shredded hash browns. They were pretty good! It was a welcome change of pace from pasta, believe it or not! Eating outside with friends and taking in the scenic vistas was the perfect way to cap off our morning adventure.
After catching our train back to Lauterbrunnen, there was nothing else on the agenda for the day. I decided to stop at the post office and head back to the hotel and made it to the post office just in time before it closed for the day. I enjoyed my walk back through town. When I got back to the hotel, I grabbed a glass of wine to enjoy on my balcony and take in the waterfall view. Sometimes on vacation you just have to take it easy! I was able to call home and catch up on my trip notes, too. It was just the afternoon I needed.
Around supper time, I headed downstairs to the hotel restaurant to grab a bite to eat. I scored a table outside which afforded great views of town and the towering walls of the mountains on the side of the valley. I also got a front row seat to chat with the members of our group going by on their way to their evening plans. That was one of my favorite parts of this tour, seeing our friends on the street and catching up in passing. It definitely adds to the temporary local status!
After dinner, I went back to the room to shower and organize my bags (again!) before our travel day tomorrow. It was bittersweet to leave Lauterbrunnen, but I was excited to return to France!