The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music

 The sun finally came out to play today. We knew today was going to be one of 2 sunny days we have left before leaving Switzerland, so we decided to take advantage and head up yet another mountain: Schynige Platte. We had read that there were some pretty fabulous views from up there.

We drove in to town then boarded the slowest train we have been on so far this trip. It was pretty far up the mountain and going that slow it took us a solid hour to get all the way up. The views were spectacular as all views around here are.

There has been a lot of conversation about the Alp Horn. We have seen pictures of it everywhere. Each time an ad for a tourist attraction is shown they have people in traditional dress playing the Alp Horn, yet we have never seen one. While we were at the station I was joking with the kids that for sure this time we would get to hear the horn. We laughed about what a long shot that was that on a random Monday around noon there would be someone playing the horn at the top of the mountain.

We got off the train at the top station and were immediately greeted by 2 gentlemen playing Alp Horns. It was so funny and random. I have decided to make more wild predictions from now on since it worked out so well today.

The night before our adventure I had looked up a hike for us to go on. It was a big loop. We didn't think we had time to do the whole loop though since the train ride took so long, so we opted to do half the loop. There were some clouds, but they were moving fast so we had some good views.

 We had started out when Azure realized she needed a bathroom. So Ammon took her and Cormac back to find the WC and Lucette and I carried on. While we were walking Lu made a friend with a butterfly.

I couldn't believe the amount of wildflowers all over the mountains where we were. They were gorgeous and everywhere.

All the flowers and the hills with the amazing views reminded me of The Sound of Music. Admittedly, I've only seen it like twice. I'm not a huge fan of old musicals. Ammon and I sang small snippets of The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music as was only appropriate. Cormac is embarrassed to know us which obviously means we are parenting correctly.

Before we could get to one of the lookout points we wanted to see, the clouds had blown in and we couldn't see anything but white. As we hiked higher we got some good views though.

There were lots of helicopters that kept coming up through where we were. They were fun to see.

Ammon and I were attempting to take a selfie together. Every time we try this one of the kids spots us and is determined to get into the picture. Cormac really enjoys photobombing. I love that in this picture you can see his face in my sunglasses.

We had lunch and then hustled to catch the train down the mountain.

We hurried back to our Air BnB so Ammon could shower and get to work. The kids spent a good chunk of the evening on the playground. I am sitting on our balcony writing. The nice weather really brings people outside here. It was not too hot today and this evening is glorious. People are out walking and gathering. I can hear laughter, the bells on the church that chime the hour, and sometimes I can hear the bells of a distant herd of cows. Today was great. Some sight seeing, but also some down time which we have all been craving. It is hard to go constantly when we have been gone this long.