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Published: June 22nd 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Today will be in our top 3 for sure, but more on that later. I am typing on a strange keyboard, so this will be brief. Mostly to catch you up a bit...Our last full day in Paris included the Louvre (WOW - it is huge, but the Mona Lisa was one Big Dissapointment), Cathedral Chapelle (the stained glass window panels each tell a story from the bible and are the majority of each wall), icecream at Bertillions, as recommended, and then a wonderful dinner with some friends from back home. Nice to see familiar faces. On Tuesday, we walked almost a mile to the train station to take the train to Blois, about an hour and a half southwest of Paris, to stay with family. It was wonderful - their home is huge and lovely (a labor of love over many years), now complete with an indoor pool, large lawn, and ping pong table. The kids were thrilled for the space to play. Carol was generous in her time - taking us to a variety of chateaus (we learned the difference between a chateau and a castle - the former is just a big, beautiful
Chalet Fontana
View from our Windowhouse, around which a town naturally develops, and the latter is intended to be an impenetrable fortress, usually with moat). She was full of the sortid tales of each. We also saw the old limestone caves of Bourre, where there are an estimated 150 miles of caves and tunnels on 4 levels. Houses are now built up to them, so that part of the house can be in a cave - saves building costs and real estate taxes. The biggest chateau had 426 rooms, 77 staircases, 365 chimneys, 282 fireplaces, and was started in 1519. It was never finished and the King who started it at age 25 stayed there only 72 days. We also toured a chocolate factory - a highlight for us all.
On Friday, the 20th, we took the train back to Paris, then southeast toward Switzerland, staying the night in Beaune, still in France. This time, we remembered to ride first class (to which we are entitled with our Eurail passes, but didn't know it before). Very plush and every leg so far we have been able to have four seats together around a table. Plush seats that recline and one had window shades with
motorized controls...most elegant dinner yet was in Beaune, where many restuarants are on wooden platforms out into the streets.
Coolest foods consumed so far: Iceland (cheese pizza served with raspberry jam), Paris (coca cola-flavored merangue puff), and in Beaune, Paris (rabbit pate). Kids have been eating very well and have kept their promise to try new foods (although Lauren was not happy at all with the rabbit).
Saturday, we continued on to Switzerland, which took about 5 trains, but, oh-my-gosh, the scenary was spectacular. Last part was a cable car from Lautterbrunnen to Murren, where the luggage is put into a separate tray and travels under the cable car. Murren is car-free, so you just walk to your hotel.
So, this is a true highlight for us. We have a huge, two bedroom apartment right at the street (Ken's mother has joined us for this week), where Ken and I can open our windows with the lace curtains, touch the window boxes with the red flowers, and see straight to the Jungfrau. As if we could touch it. The weather was perfect today, so Marilyn and the kids took the cable car up to Schilthorn (where the
On Top of Schilthorn
Family Fun on the Schilthorn, what a view! James Bond movie, "On her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed in, I think, 1968). Ken and I went only as far as Birg and then hiked through the steep snow to the top. It was quite the workout, but the view was to die for. Blue skies and the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau seemingly within arm's reach. Mom (Margo), I thought of you often. The last strech was a bit scary and certainly not for the faint-hearted, but we made it. On the way down, Sam and Ken walked (well, slid) and the girls took the cable car. We really have to pinch ourselves with the setting here. It is the piece of the trip I most wanted to share with my family, since I have been here twice before, and it had not let us down.
Probably won't be able to write again until Italy - internet is not easy to find and is very expensive to use. It has been an unexpected surprise and disappointment how hard it has been for find both the time and a machine. Also, the y and z keys are switched and it is driving me crazy. Mostly want all to know how well we are doing. We haven't lost one item yet, weather has been wonderful, it seems we brought all the right things, and the kids have been incredible travelers (at breakfast this morning, some other people said they have run into many families with children and the parents all say how difficult it is to travel with children- not us!). Minimal complaints, great sports, and very appreciative of everything. Five more days in Switzerland and we can't wait!
Love, K4
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Joe Tripp
non-member comment
What a great place!
I am so glad you are enjoying Switzerland.. It is one of my most favorite spots on earth. My family is from teh Bern area - Weisenbergberg - near Speitz. I recall traveling up the Jungfrau on the cog rail. I think Switzerland is the most pcturesque of all countries. I am glad things continue to go well. Love -Joe