Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

So the truth is, we had a really hard time convincing our kids that they should leave the farm to go on a mountain hike. They thought they’d landed in paradise, after all. But we’d been told about an incredible hike from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren and wanted to check it out.Eliza and Georgia reluctantly said goodbye to their farm pals and we headed out on an adventure.

The drive to Lauterbrunnen was so intensely beautiful, we had to pull the car over several times to take it all in.

We started our hike and while Brent and I were awed by the beauty surrounding us….The kids were struggling. They didn’t seem to appreciate the experience at all saying absurd things like, “Is it going to be THIS HOT in India?” We laughed out loud and explained it would be 40 degrees hotter. They just wanted to be back on the farm and things were off to a rocky start. Feeling at my wits end, I did what I always do when I feel frustrated, I called my mom. I explained that the kids were not being cooperative and handed the phone to Georgia. The second she heard my mom’s voice her attitude changed. When her Grandma asked her to describe what she was seeing on the hike, Georgia glanced up and really saw for the first time the beauty surrounding her. “There’s a river and mountains with snow and lots of waterfalls and COWS and people flying over the mountains with parachutes and flowers and it’s so amazing!” Just like that she was jolted into seeing and being in this place.I mean come on kids! How can you grumble when you’re surrounded by mountains with waterfalls cascading off cliffs? And doesn’t the fact that you’re standing in a field of lush flowers, looking up at snowy peaks stir something in you?

Have no fear! Grandma saved the day from thousands of miles away and we had the best hike of our lives.

We were so relieved.

At the end of the hike we crossed the Weisse river and had an opportunity to take a cable car up to the peaks.It was a thrilling ride.The little village at the top of the cliff was delightful. We walked around and the kids played on the playground, however…

They flew down the slide so fast, Eliza hurt her tail bone and got the wind knocked out of her.

We found a pizza shop near the playground and decided to refuel/recover there. A cat joined us for dinner which of course lifted Eliza’s spirits. It kept trying to dip its paw in her hot cocoa which delighted her to no end.