Okay, so when we began exploring the idea of visiting Switzerland, we knew that it would be pricey – like over 250 euro per night for a basic hotel over 100 euros per night for a crappy hostel where tales of stolen items abound and easily over 13 euro for a 6-piece nugget meal from the McDonald’s at the train station for two girls who desperately needed to break a brand new 100 Swiss franc note so they could use the McClean at 2 francs each! So – since we figured that we had a lot of ground to cover, did not have a very firm itinerary, and needed a cheap place to sleep – we’d rent a car – two birds, one stone.
It was great in theory and mostly okay in execution. After a two hour delay at the Bern airport waiting for our car – we were off! Maylene did a great job driving and I managed to navigate using the multi -country map we found for 17 francs – we spent our time in a four-inch radius. While there, we stayed at a very nice campground – Lazy Rancho 4 with all the basic facilities and then some. No fires but at least it had internet that we used to plan our next adventure.
It rained for three of the four days (complete with thunder and lightening) we were there and sleeping in the car was pretty darn cold even with all of our clothes on but the fourth day was pure glory — absolutely stunning making it all worthwhile! Besides, the rain just reminded us of our Washington camping adventures.
We also met a really kind and generous fellow camper. Walti has lived at the Lazy Rancho for twenty years — or at least that’s what we think he said. He first approached us on our first morning at the Ranch. We had just finished showering and were getting ready for fruhstuck (breakfast) when Walti approached. He asked in German if we spoke it – I responded quite cheerfully, No – but Good Morning! He came back from the store with extra provisions and invited us to breakfast in his camper – a really cozy place. We were surprised but decided to take him up on the offer. He had a full breakfast spread out for us and we attempted to talk about our families over eggs and bread. His wife passed away about a year ago and I know that he still misses her a lot – his descriptions of “Mein Frau” were just heart-breaking. We each understood about 25% of what the other said, but the message came across loud and clear — we enjoyed each other’s company and enjoyed the time we had together (even while eating under the trophies of his hunting accomplishments). It was such an amazing and moving experience, that we were so very grateful to have. He lives in a tremendously “schon” area and his hospitality was overwhelming.
We made it up to Gimmelwald on the last day and found it to be a really amazing and special place too. The town is tiny – only accessible by lift. The schoolhouse has two teachers who also run a B&B and 17 students each with their own websites.
Everyone sold homemade cheese and the livestock and random cats kept us company. We missed the cows though, they were out in the high pastures- can’t imagine where that might be.
We frolicked and let the thin air get the best of us. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful town. We loved it and hope you’ll enjoy the pics we took on our Swiss adventure!
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WoW! What a view… Love the picture of Maylene!