Day 19 - Mannlichen

 Day 19: Mannlichen 


While in Switzerland, our mornings have consisted of early risings with morning views, while readying ourselves for the day's adventures. Prior to each journey, I have really been enjoying my tradition of an espresso, a piece of gluten free toast, and listening to my Lectio 365 daily devotional overlooking Mount Eiger on our porch. When I lived here nearly twenty years ago, I recall it as a time of deep spiritual connection for me, and this week has reminded me that I feel most connected to the Lord when in His creation.  


Aaron and I both took runs this morning, discovering that runs in Spain are far easier on the level ground, than here in the Swiss alps!  We then got ready to head out. Aaron is the avid packer - laying out each specific item we will need for the day ahead; sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, tissues, full water bottles, etc. We purchased lightweight backpacks prior to this trip and they’ve been so useful.


Each day we take our car down to the Grindelwald terminal for our destinations, where we catch the Eiger Express gondola or a train as needed. It is just minutes from our chalet in Grindelwald and has made such a seamless process for us, we now know it by heart. Today, we were determined to take a good hike!


The Mannlichen is a 2343-meter high mountain (7,687 ft) in the heart of the Jungfrau region, home to a great outdoor playground, cafe, and family hiking.  We were drawn to this day trip via many blogposts for families, and then the decision was reiterated when our friends, the Neckers, journeyed just days ahead of us with their kids, and raved about the experience. 


We jumped off the Gondola and the kids discovered the outdoor play area, once again built with perfection for kids of all ages to enjoy. We then grabbed the brochures for each boy to collect their stamps throughout the Lieslotte themed trail hike designed just for kids. There are 13 stations along the 1.5hr trail, all downhill.  We sunscreened up and headed down, leaning back on our heels the whole way down to balance ourselves on the terrain.  Along the way, we encountered little huts, pretend milking stations, shaded areas to stop for a drink, and cows that took over the path and required us to wait for their departure to continue.  


The boys did great! The themed trail really engaged them in the process, and true to the Swiss, the experience was so dialed in that no one complained once! The views the entire time were breathtaking; Eiger and its cousins in the fore view, green pastures, yellow and white flowers throughout the hillsides and so many cows grazing across the region. Once at the bottom, we took the gondola back to the top to collect their prize for accomplishing the trail. Unfortunately, we learned that we needed to wait until we returned to Grindelwald Station to receive it, and they handled the delayed gratification well.  


We then took the opposite funicular down the backside of the mountain into the town of Wengen. Prior to this trip, this little town was my favorite place I’d been in my life.  Super quaint, with gorgeous views and a little downtown strip, it is significantly more developed than when I was last here. We stopped for a delicious Swiss salad lunch and the boys ordered spaghetti. We were all ravished from hiking, so lunch hit the spot!  We then play pingpong in the community square and the boys played putt putt golf, while Aaron visited with the tourist office to discuss the potential for a ski trip in the future with our Cosmo friends! :) 


Hopping the train back to Grindelwald terminal, we returned for sandwiches and salads at home, after a long and physically taxing day.  A record 9.5 miles on my apple watch, and over 11 on Aaron’s. 

















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