Oeschinensee in Kandersteg

Our good friends from home (Stuttgart) met up with us in Switzerland for the weekend. Frank was our tour guide today and brought us Kandersteg to hike up to a lake. We took the tram up to our hiking trail.

We started our hike, wondering if you would even get a chance to see the beautiful lake ahead or mountains that were all around us. At this point it really didn't matter, the kids were having fun. See the boys trying to follow Cassidy up onto the rock?


















We had lots of rocks and flowers to view on our way up.

Cassidy loved hiking off the beaten path. And the boys loved to follow her.

Cassidy was always on the look out for interesting things and different flowers, pointing them out for the boys to see.




























We came across some Swiss cows on our way.

I guess cows make for perfect family pictures. Frankie didn't like the cows. In fact he really didn't like the cows as you can see from the scowl on his face. So I had to take my kids over to pet a cow. Thomas was the only one who got close enough to actually pet it though.

So after a few times of Cassidy dragging the boys off to where they shouldn't go. I asked her to lag behind them before she went off exploring. That way Thomas, the next oldest could lead the other boys to safety, while Cassidy could still do her exploring. Emily or I didn't want our boys climbing some of the places Cassidy wanted to go.

While hiking on our trail the fog dissipated and we were able to take in the scenery.



























We discovered a totem pole.



Then Cassidy and I found some more wood carvings.

And we made it to Oeschinensee. The kids were really excited to go swimming until they got their feet in the water. I figured as much, so I didn't even bother putting on my swim suit.

The boys finally "warmed" up to the idea of being in the cold water when they discovered the hundreds of tadpoles by the boat. They had fun scooping them up in their hands and watching and feeling them wiggling around.

What a beautiful place to be.

We got dressed and continued following the trail around the lake.

We rented some boats for an hour. The Petty's were off, getting a head start on us.



But with Stewart on the oars we pulled away from them. Probably because it gave Stewart something to do. He is not one to just sit or float around, at least not without a book.



So when it came to taking a break, I snapped a picture.

And we were off again.

I on the other hand can sit or float quietly, especially when the sun is out.

Cassidy kept wanting to drag her hands in the water.

Of course the kids all wanted to try rowing the boat. So once we got out as far as we were going, the kids all got turns rowing us back to shore.

Zachary put his whole body into the task.

Cassidy's turn let us all sit back and relax. All except her that is.

After our hour was up we started hiking back to the gondola.

On our way we stopped to pick strawberries. Cassidy loved the little itty bitty strawberries. They might have been small, but they packed a lot of flavor.



























The kids couldn't think of a better way to end their hike.

Just around the corner from the ice cream shop was a rodelbahn. We have seen these a few places we have visited, but we never rode one before. The Petty's love them and have to go on them whenever they find them. So we went too. Zachary went with Stewart. Thomas was with me, which left Cassidy to her own devices.

Cassidy was fast, but I think she slowed down Stewart and Zachary. They should have gone first.

Thomas and I on the other hand didn't mind being the last ones. Cassidy discovered that she loves babies or at least baby Katie when she is happy.

We are on our way down the mountain. On our way down, I was just hoping that my fear of heights never catches on with my kids. They seem so at ease with it all.

On our way back to the camp site we drove by several Swiss houses. Stewart had to take a few trips around the round about, so I could snap a few good shots.