The people that run the bus service from Stechelberg are really getting to know us. This morning we were off for the cog-wheeled tram in Lauterbrunnen that will take us to Wengen again. Now this time, we will stay on the tram and it will take us from 1274 meters at Wengen to the world famous Jungfraujoch – “Top of Europe” at 3454 meters (about 11,333 feet). The last leg of the tram ride takes us just under an hour, and it is more than 50 percent through tunnels. Fortunately we had a bright and sunny day to make this last and final day in the Swiss Alps really memorable. When we arrived in Wengen, we were met by a huge throng of tourists, that had set their sites on the same departure time as we had. As much as we tried to align ourselves with the best position to get the best seats (or any seat) on the train, we weren’t quick enough. Lucky enough, Rick, Louise, and I were the only one’s out of our family that had to stand. We started our steep climb almost immediately our of the station in Wengen. Now, standing, we really noticed the grade…we felt like we were pushing up hill with one foot the whole way. When the conductor came by checking our tickets (and by the way, this part of the excursion package we had purchased, would only cover half of the price…otherwise, we had to add another $120 SF), he must have felt a little sorry for us standing…he gave us one free drink ticket each. The tunnel area is over 10 km long and took over 16 years to complete. It officially opened in 1912, and is still using some of the original equipment to get you up there. Once we entered the tunnel, we had 3 stops…the first 2 were to let us out for a stretch and an opportunity to take some great photos. I didn’t mention, the train clicks along at a snails pace the whole way up and down. The 3rd stop we finally arrived at the Jungfraujoch terminal. Now this terminal is also in the tunnel, and we found that we were walking through a number of tunnels once we arrived. Even the elevators were from one tunnel to another. Once we reached the 3rd floor, we were at a level that we could walk out onto a deck overlooking the Swiss Alps at their finest. The first things that we noticed, were we had a shortness of breath because of the altitude, and it was cold, until the sun hit you and then you had to watch for immediate sunburn. Out on the glacier we had the opportunity to do a number of things, such as ski, ride a dog sled, hike over the glacier, climb the ice, slide on a saucer, and ride a rope slide down a long slope. Lil-Lou, Drew, and I opted for a slide down the glacier on the saucer, and then they jumped on the rope slide for their finale. There was one moment that I think all of us will remember, and especially Drew, when he let his saucer get away from him…it was a quick moment, but when it started it just kept on going and going and gone…. I would imagine that it might have made it down by the time we left 2 days later, but who knows… At the top of Jungfraujoch, is a large multi-storied building, which 3 floors are above ground and 3 below. On 2 of the upper floors are restaurants, so we just had to have lunch. Then onto the “Ice Palace” to see the ice sculptures, and then…we were exhausted…head down hill…we were done in… We all wanted to fall asleep on the train ride back, but luck would have it and nobody did. When we arrived back at Wengen, we headed over to one of our favorite bakeries and then to one of the large cable cars for a ride up to the top of another mountain, Mannichen (7317 ft). From there, we headed out for an hour and a half hike along the side of a mountain to Kleine Scheidegg. Just like this entry, we were having a long and full day and it still isn’t over. At Kleine Scheidegg we jumped aboard another tram and headed all the way back to Lauterbrunnen, grabbed our favorite bus and he took us to the large cable car going up to Gimmelwald. When we arrived there, we headed for one of our favorite Hostel’s where we could enjoy a good beer and over look another part of the Alps from above. Gimmelwald is one of Rick Steves favorite places and we all could see why…fact is, we ended up having dinner along with that beer…. Tomorrow…Drive down the longest valley in the world and head out for Lucerne again
13 July ’05, Wednesday.
The people that run the bus service from Stechelberg are really getting to know us. This morning we were off for the cog-wheeled tram in Lauterbrunnen that will take us to Wengen again. Now this time, we will stay on the tram and it will take us from 1274 meters at Wengen to the world famous Jungfraujoch – “Top of Europe” at 3454 meters (about 11,333 feet). The last leg of the tram ride takes us just under an hour, and it is more than 50 percent through tunnels. Fortunately we had a bright and sunny day to make this last and final day in the Swiss Alps really memorable. When we arrived in Wengen, we were met by a huge throng of tourists, that had set their sites on the same departure time as we had. As much as we tried to align ourselves with the best position to get the best seats (or any seat) on the train, we weren’t quick enough. Lucky enough, Rick, Louise, and I were the only one’s out of our family that had to stand. We started our steep climb almost immediately our of the station in Wengen. Now, standing, we really noticed the grade…we felt like we were pushing up hill with one foot the whole way. When the conductor came by checking our tickets (and by the way, this part of the excursion package we had purchased, would only cover half of the price…otherwise, we had to add another $120 SF), he must have felt a little sorry for us standing…he gave us one free drink ticket each. The tunnel area is over 10 km long and took over 16 years to complete. It officially opened in 1912, and is still using some of the original equipment to get you up there. Once we entered the tunnel, we had 3 stops…the first 2 were to let us out for a stretch and an opportunity to take some great photos. I didn’t mention, the train clicks along at a snails pace the whole way up and down. The 3rd stop we finally arrived at the Jungfraujoch terminal. Now this terminal is also in the tunnel, and we found that we were walking through a number of tunnels once we arrived. Even the elevators were from one tunnel to another. Once we reached the 3rd floor, we were at a level that we could walk out onto a deck overlooking the Swiss Alps at their finest. The first things that we noticed, were we had a shortness of breath because of the altitude, and it was cold, until the sun hit you and then you had to watch for immediate sunburn. Out on the glacier we had the opportunity to do a number of things, such as ski, ride a dog sled, hike over the glacier, climb the ice, slide on a saucer, and ride a rope slide down a long slope. Lil-Lou, Drew, and I opted for a slide down the glacier on the saucer, and then they jumped on the rope slide for their finale. There was one moment that I think all of us will remember, and especially Drew, when he let his saucer get away from him…it was a quick moment, but when it started it just kept on going and going and gone…. I would imagine that it might have made it down by the time we left 2 days later, but who knows… At the top of Jungfraujoch, is a large multi-storied building, which 3 floors are above ground and 3 below. On 2 of the upper floors are restaurants, so we just had to have lunch. Then onto the “Ice Palace” to see the ice sculptures, and then…we were exhausted…head down hill…we were done in… We all wanted to fall asleep on the train ride back, but luck would have it and nobody did. When we arrived back at Wengen, we headed over to one of our favorite bakeries and then to one of the large cable cars for a ride up to the top of another mountain, Mannichen (7317 ft). From there, we headed out for an hour and a half hike along the side of a mountain to Kleine Scheidegg. Just like this entry, we were having a long and full day and it still isn’t over. At Kleine Scheidegg we jumped aboard another tram and headed all the way back to Lauterbrunnen, grabbed our favorite bus and he took us to the large cable car going up to Gimmelwald. When we arrived there, we headed for one of our favorite Hostel’s where we could enjoy a good beer and over look another part of the Alps from above. Gimmelwald is one of Rick Steves favorite places and we all could see why…fact is, we ended up having dinner along with that beer…. Tomorrow…Drive down the longest valley in the world and head out for Lucerne again
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