Charlie's Perspective

Underside : First, CH

When you're only 8" tall (20 cm), your perspective is pretty low. Charlie is quite a trooper when it comes to going up and down various Alpine elevations. These are just a few photos of the view from his level.

Aspirational : Schrekfeld, CH

Heading down... : Between Schrekfeld and Bort, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Wanderung

Hiking in the Berner Oberland : First, CH

 After visiting Trümmelbach Falls, we left the Lauterbrunnen Valley and drove over to the neighboring Grindelwald Valley. From the town of Grindelwald, we caught a gondola and rode up to First, CH--nearly 8,000 ft above sea level (about 2,200 m ASL). On the return, we decided to hike back down to the station at Schreckfeld. Along the way, we passed hikers going up.

 A different view of the Jungfrau : First, CH

Typical Swiss Alpine scene--cows and mountains : First, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/11

Glacier

Glacier : Lauterbrunnen, CH

Nothing like the sight of a dusting of snow on a glacier to chill you to the bone. This was in Lauterbrunnen last week on the Eiger.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Telecabine auf den Schilthorn...

Taking the telecabine from Stechelberg to Schilthorn : Lauterbrunnen Valley, CH

While we were in the Lauterbrunnen valley, we decided to take the telecabine up to the top of the Schilthorn. This mountain featured prominently in the 1968 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. To get to the top, you can take a telecabine from Stechelberg (3,024 ft / 922 m) to Mürren (5,412 ft / 1,650 m). You transfer to another telecabine from Mürren to Birg (8,783 ft / 2,677 m) and from that to another that carries you from Birg to Schilthorn (9,744 ft / 2,970 m). The entire trip, including transfers, takes approximately 32 minutes.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/10

100 Strangers: Woodcarvers

Master woodcarver Ruth Fischer works on a new carving : Brienz, CH

One of the last places we stopped in Brienz was H.Huggler-Wyss Woodcarvers (H.Huggler-Wyss Holzbildhauerei AG). At one time, the company employed 20 master woodcarvers. Today, there are only six.

 Master woodcarver Hanspeter Stähli plies his craft at his workbench : Brienz, CH

Two of them are Hanspeter Stähli and Ruth Fischer. We met them the day we were there and they graciously allowed me to photograph them at work.

 Carved and painted figurines depict some of the traditions and costumes of the Bernese Oberland : Brienz, CH

Hr. Stähli and Fr. Fischer and their fellow artisans carve and paint wooden figures depicting traditional Alpine life in and costumes of the Bernese Oberland. They also make beautiful nativity creches. If you're looking for a uniquely Swiss gift, this is the place to go. They're located on Hauptstrasse 64 in Brienz.

Close-ups of Fr. Fischer and Hr. Stähli : Brienz, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/10

Interlaken und Brienzersee

 Lone Fisher : Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland : Canton Bern, CH

Located in the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken lies midway between two Swiss lakes: Thunsee (Lake Thune) and Brienzersee (Lake Brienz.) There are a number of gasthofs for overnighting and lakeside villages worth visiting. If you're willing to go as far as Brienz, you can also see Ballenberg, a park which recreates the regions of Switzerland and features architecture, food, crafts, animals, industries, and costumes unique to each region.

 Winter fountain in Interlaken and the Eiger in the background : Canton Bern, CH

This area is home to three of Switzerland's most famous peak's: the Jungfrau (Virgin), Monch (Monk), and Eiger (Ogre) and is also the location of the Schilthorn, billed as "The Top of Europe." The Schilthorn featured rather prominently in the 1969 James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", starring one-time Bond, George Lazenby, and the beautiful Dame Diana Rigg.

To see a few more shots of this area in winter, please visit my Picasa Web Album.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10