Visit to Gimmelwald

---

Today we hiked down to Gimmelwald a small town just below Murren. Joanne and I had stayed there 20 years ago when I was trying to show Joanne all of Europe in 3 weeks. Just a little rushed. on that trip we stayed in a small bed and breakfast run by an elderly gentleman name Walter. A real character who ran the 7 room place mostly by himself. He always cooked breakfast and served an evening meal on long tables where everyone enjoyed Walters cooking and everyones stories. It was a memory I will always cheris. Today we stopped in to visit with Walter and he was still there. He now has a young man helping him since Walter is getting too old to handle things now. They don’t have many quests anymore and Walter doesn’t cook his evening meal any more. We did talk to Walter a short while and asked him about the patches he use to sell. They said Gimmelwald the land of Heidi. Joanne and I had gotten one on our last visit. He took us over to a cabinet and pulled out his last three patches and handed them to and would take any money. We took one for Judy and Dave and handed the last two back. He took a lot of pride in those patches and I couldn’t take the last ones. Walter scurried back to his tiny kitchen since he was cooking Sunday lunch for a couple of friends from the village. He always loved cooking. For me it was a sad day to see one of my great past memories starting to disappear. Walters young helper told us this would be the last year they will be open. This is the sad part of my travels. Want things to stay the same as I remembered and enjoyed, but that is not happening and I don’t like it.

The rest of Gimmelwald has remaind the same. The older houses, barns with cow bells hanging as reminders of past prized cows, a few little shops still selling cheeses, butter, and milk from their own cows. They still have everything in a refrigerator in a small shed and a bowl to put your money in. All on the honor system. Some of my fond memories are still here and as long as they exist in a Avalanche zone where the hotels and resorts can’t build it may remain the same. Goodbye Gimmelwald.

---

Comments

[stubby]

Dave this is the sweetest entry, Nothing like having such special memories with your loved one and revisiting where you created those memories Missing you, Chris

[Nelsonadventures]

Memories
Some memories are hard to give up. We miss you too, wish you were with us.

[Ruthie Smith]

Breathtaking!
The scenery is incredible! What an awesome trip! It just keeps getting better and better. Thanks so much for sharing!