This morning we sent our bags ahead to the Zürich airport. We leave tomorrow morning on the 5:26 A.M. train to the Zürich Airport. Then, we go on to Heathrow in London before boarding a flight back to Phoenix.
We had plans to go to Isenfluh but it looked like rain so I decided on Gimmelwald and Mürren, places that Michael finds soul quenching. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of our favorite places!!!
Gimmelwald is located in the heart of the Swiss alps perched high on the edge of a cliff and embraced by Mother Nature herself. It is another car-free village. Gimmelwald is accessible by foot or by cable car.
Chalets decorated with flowers, a cheese storehouse in the middle of the village, cattle grazing all around: Gimmelwald is like something out of a fairy tale.
Can you notice the witches on their broomsticks over the chimney?
Gimmelwald is halfway up the mountain between Stechelberg and Mürren, at an elevation of 4485 feet (1367 meters).
This cable car is coming down from Mürren to Gimmelwald. You get off this cable car and get onto another one to go down to Stechelberg.
Farming and tourism are the main source of income today.
Farmers raise hay on tiny plots of land to feed small herds of cows or goats.
In winter farmers often work for the Schilthorn cable car; such as running ski lifts or ski-slope grooming. Probably, the main source of income for Gimmelwald is tourism because of its spectacular views and special geographic setting.
Gimmelwald has a small hotel, former pension (now a British run hotel), a bed & breakfast and the Mountain Hostel.
Esther's Bed and Breakfast Guest House
Gimmelwald was stopped from being developed into a large ski resort by having it declared an avalanche zone which is only partly the case.
In summer, Gimmelwald is mostly visited from tourists from North America where as in winter Gimmelwald is mostly visited by European and Swiss tourists for winter sports.
Wood is stacked against the houses in anticipation of a long, cold and snowy winter.
Gimmelwald is Rick Steves favorite place in all of Switzerland.
We also walked through Mürren.
This is the first time we have been in the catholic church.
This was hanging on the inside wall. It was here in Mürren that Arnold Lunn set the first slalom in 1922 and organized the first world championship in downhill and slalom racing in 1931.
Such breathtaking and beautiful scenery!
The meadow saffron is flowering in the alpine meadows.
One last view from our bedroom windows.
These mountains call to us every year........