We took a succession of trains out of Lucern past many gorgeously turquoise lakes of mountain run-off, to the Lauterbrunnen valley, where we got a bus, followed by a gondola, up to the small town of Gimmelwald in the alps. I chose this home base to explore the area because it was quiet and less touristy, and we were in among people that actually lived there year round.

We rented two rooms in a small guest house that only offers these two rooms (or a basement apartment). The proprietors used to be the town school teachers, before there were not enough kids to sustain the school, and the students took a gondola to the next town.

The best part of these lodgings was their fabulous back porch, which we spent every dry evening on. The view from there was wonderful and varied. Not only were there mountains all around, practically in your face, or playing peek-a-boo through the clouds, you could watch any one of a dozen waterfalls just from sitting there.  It was heavenly. We bought cheese a neighbor made, and had several happy dinners of toast with local bread and jam and cheese on that deck.

We stayed here for five nights, exploring the area, as you will see, and were sad to leave.