Today we woke up to a kind of sunrise out of our window. I could see the grey clouds moving behind the mountains.

We had a long trip to get to Schynige Platte today so off we went right after breakfast. We took the train to Grutschalp and the cable car to Lauterbrunnen. Then we transferred to a train to Wilderswil. The weather was warmer than I thought it was going to be so I was already taking layers off.

Here is some information I read about the Historic Schynige Platte Railway when we were waiting for our train.

• Operating since 1893 first as a steam locomotive
• Operation was converted to electricity in 1914
• No significant changes have been made to the tracks or rail cars in over 100 years.
• The cogwheel climbs 1400 meters at a maximum speed of 10 km /hr.

Here is the guy who was manually switching the tracks so the train could back-up and we could get onto the train.

We could see down to Interlaken and both lakes with the town in the middle from the cogwheel. I was able to get one photo of Lake Thun.

Our plan was to do the Loucherhorn Panoramic Trail (6.3 km –  ascending 350 km and descending back to the cogwheel train). Much to our surprise it was not only pouring rain when we arrived at the top but the rain was going sideways. We put on our pack covers and walked to the restaurant for hot chocolate. It was already noon.  A couple of men played alphorns for short time.  They were not very good.

At first we wished we had left earlier from Murren. Then I met some people who had arrived at about 11:00 and had started out on the hike. The views were beautiful when they arrived. Then the wind started to blow; the clouds moved in quickly; and they were caught in the downpour.

The weather forecast said it wasn’t going to clear until about 5:00, so we decided to return to Murren. Everything was socked in when we arrived. Here is Shirley in waiting in Wilderswil for the train back to Lauterbrunnen to arrive for our return trip. The wind was not as strong but the rain was coming down.

I am typing this at about 4:30 and the clouds have lifted enough for us to see the mountain again. Go figure.

Well having our plans spoiled on one day out of 22 because of weather is not bad.

The weather became clearer and clearer.  We put on our bathing suits and walked over to the Alpine Sports Center.  We had a discount card from the Eiger Guesthouse.  You could swim in the indoor pool and use the indoor hot tub for free but I wanted to do the saunas and outdoor hot tub.  So I paid the 30 CHF.  It was absolutely delightful and I spent over a couple of hours relaxing.  In addition to the outdoor hot tub, there were 2 different steam rooms, a sauna, a quiet relaxing room, and foot soaking tub and I spent time in them all.  Nobody else was in the hot tub with me.  What an enjoyable joy soaking in this beautiful tub with the Jungfrau and other mountains reflecting in the water.

We split a pizza for dinner in the restaurant of the Eiger Guest House.  We found out it was built in 1890.  We sure are enjoying our time here.  Everybody is just wonderful to us.  This day ended quite well.