It all started on a sunny Friday afternoon when Kelly, Angie, Martha, Sara and I met Matt in the parking lot to head down to the train station. We had our backpacks and sleeping bags and we were rushing to pick up Allie at Al Funicolare (new name courtesy of Kelly)and make it to the train in less then 30 minutes. We sat in traffic for some time and as we were pulling up we were discussing how nice it would be to be able to drive. I piped up saying I wouldn't mind and Angie agreed. So as we were himming and hawing about what to do Matt made the executive decision and drove us back to campus. He didn't mind because he got to spend quality time with the six of us and that is so much fun.
So we transferred all of our goods into Shamu and Giuseppe and we were off to our first destination Interlaken for a tasty dinner before rushing to Lautrebrunnen to catch the 10:28 train to Wengen.
Wengen is a small town on the mountainside that doesn't allow any vehicles. We arrived late into the evening and found The Old Backpackers Lodge, settled into our rooms and set a meet-up time.
Allie and I were roommates and we were the lucky ones to open the door to a room with one small double bed, two very thin pillows and a comforter. It was cozy to say the least and we got ready to snuggle after I scavenged for more pillows and another comforter. I guess we could have used our sleeping bags that we had carried all that way but that would have been way to easy.
Saturday morning we woke bright and early to grab breakfast and lunch at a bakery. Make a quick stop at COOP to grab all of our hiking snacks before catching the gondola to Mannlichen. As Kelly sat there enjoying the ride because she has done this before the rest of us were discussing the fact that it was extremely cloudy and hopefully it would burn off by the afternoon. Then suddenly everything went white as we entered the cloud and all of us became slightly depressed. Again, Kelly just sat and smiled, acting as if she knew something the rest of us didn't. Which in the end she did, we emerged from the clouds to see the most beautiful views of mountain tops poking out of a white blanket that stretched as far as our eyes could see.
Once we departed the gondola we walked to the highest point available to take some group shots, landscape shots, and delayer before heading back down to begin our hike to the Eiger Glacier.
The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau
The hike was rather uneventful to start until Angie made a nice slide into home covering her behind in a solid layer of mud. Sarah and Allie thought it was quite amusing.
The scenery was amazing, with so many colors covering the hillsides.
Right before we stopped for lunch we crossed a footbridge and came across two horses that were roming free through the mountain side. One was lounging on his side but as soon as he saw us approaching he stood up and headed our way.
They were brave animals because at one point they had their noses in each of our backpacks sniffing around for food. Allie was slightly afraid of them, repeating over and over "I really don't like horses". I think her facial expressions shared her true feelings.
We stopped for lunch when we reached Alpiglen and the sun was finally over our heads. While we ate it was almost like we were on display because as trains rode by full of passengers going to the top of the Jungfrau they waved at us and took pictures. I guess we must have enhanced the scenery or something.
A traditional Swiss Home overlooking the mountains. I think I could be content in this one for a week during the summer.
Just eating and enjoying the view.
After lunch we were on our way again, into the shade of the mountain and some chill.
Glamor Shots in front of a waterfall after our first real incline hike.
About 40 minutes later we reached the snow line and the edge of the Eiger Glacier. At this point my hiking poles became extremely useful and I was thanking Brian every time my foot slipped for his very thoughtful Christmas present.
Me in front of the Eiger Glacier
We reached our highest point 2320 meters at Eigergletscher at which point we decided we needed some fantastic group shots.
Now the hike down, heading towards Kleine Scheidegg, where Mom, Dad and I had had sausage last year before catching the train for the Jungfrau. A short way into our descent we came across a rock that had a beautiful back drop and we decided to play with the timer setting on my camera. Being completely inspired by Nura we did many yoga poses.
Nura would be proud of my plank. I think we decided to call it a cobra
Downward Facing Dog anyone?
We also had to do a couple of jumping ones. Doesn't it look like we are going right off the mountain side?
At Kleine Scheidegg we broke into two groups. One took the train the rest of the way down while Martha, Kelly and I decided to hike it the rest of the way to Wengen. It was worth it because once Wengen came into sight with the sun setting on the faces of the buildings we got some tremendous pictures.
We were also able to listen to the cows grazing in the pastures next to our path. The cow bells were music to our ears. Maybe?
That evening we decided we needed traditional Swiss German food to expose Sarah and Martha to the German side. Our intent was fondue and Raclette but in the end no one had a real strong desire for cheese so we each ordered our own meals and had quite a few bottles of wine before retiring back to our hostel.
On Sunday morning we made a second stop at the bakery for a cup of coffee and a pastry before heading back to the cars and Trummelbach falls.
We were inspired by the Von Tramp family with some of these pictures.
Next stop was Brienz for a stroll along the lake, kebab, and more camera timer fun.
Some views during our lake walk
Some traditional Swiss German homes on the side streets of Brienz
Angie made friends with the Kebab guy. He even invited her back for tea.
After Kebab we took a little nap along the lake, soaking up the sun and relaxing before heading back to campus.Of course we had to have a few timer shots to wrap up the group weekend.
Taking a little nap.
Time to get up.
So cute sitting along the wall. Martha, Kelly, Sarah, Angie, Allie and myself
Presenting the mountains. 
My artsy shot. Lake Brienz with mountains and the town overlooking it.Finally we started the trek home through the Sustenpass. I had driven this once before when Mom and Dad had come to visit and it was covered in snow in the middle of the night. It was slightly scary that time around. This time however was absolutely beautiful and we made many stops along the way to capture the sights as we had an absolutely amazing day with blue skies and no clouds in sight.
