We quickly packed our bags in early February and headed south! Brett was called down to Florida for his work, and at the last moment we decided to all tag along. We still had loads of schoolwork, but I figured, working on the beach beats school at the dining room table, right? The kids seemed to agree. As it turns out there was a huge cold front that moved over the area while we were there, so the last couple days when it hit 70 we were beyond thankful! Wearing your coat and hat in Florida somehow just doesn’t seem right…

Goodness, we felt extremely deficient in fresh air and real vitamin D, but this trip helped us begin to thaw. I’ve now decided that February should be dubbed “Travel Month” to maintain winter sanity.

After Brett’s work concluded, we took the weekend for long bike rides, park and beach exploring, and making some good meals. The kids booted us out, and Brett and I enjoyed a few dates around Anna Marie Island. It was a nice getaway for our first trip of 2015, but trip number two (the one that Brett and I had been dreaming of for a year) was just around the corner….

{To view Part I (Paris), click HERE. To view Part II (Strasbourg and Chartres), click HERE.}

The final portion of our European adventure involved exploring parts of Switzerland. I have to admit, these are the days I remember most fondly simply because our pace was slowed, our itinerary  lightened, and then there were the views. In my last post I mentioned the privilege of witnessing some of the greatest creations on earth, both of men and of God–this would be the part most notably fashioned by the hand of The Almighty. It was majestic.

I spent much time riding the Swiss buses contemplating how I could just stay….forever.

We took a train from Strasbourg, France to an area near Zurich. The gentle ride gave us all a time to recoup and regather before exploring this next culture. I spent my traveling hours enjoying the calmness and devouring a book.

Rain began as we approached our station. We had a bit of transportation confusion with trains, buses, etc. for our group of 27, but we were all so thrilled to be in Switzerland.

Looking out at the terrain, my initial thought was noticing the odd juxtaposition of modern development beside sweeping green country, sprinkled with traditional Swiss style homes. I much preferred the scenes with only traditional homes and rural views…

On July 27th I woke up a year older, and without my husband or children. The kids messaged me a funny video wishing me a happy birthday from Canada where they were currently vacationing. What a strange birthday; separated from my family and none of us in the U.S.!

Our day began early with a quick Swiss breakfast in our quaint hotel, and then boarding a large bus for a long day of sightseeing. I had been especially looking forward to this day in our trip, as we were venturing to one of the highest peaks in the world accessible by train.

Before reaching our first train station beginning our long ascent into the Alps, we passed through the beautiful city of Interlaken.

After a nice break, we began the journey up Jungfrau, one of the highest summits in the Bernese Alps standing at 13, 642 ft. From my previous research I learned that the outcome of this trek would be unpredictable. Reviewers reaching the summit claimed that “this is a sight to see before you die, one of the most beautiful places on earth,” if it is a clear day. And if it’s foggy, well, you see a whole lot of nothing. I was kicking myself for investigating…and praying for clear skies!

Goodness gracious, these houses and hotels…I could hardly handle it! They’re just so adorable.

Let me just say, my photos do this countryside NO justice. You just can’t capture how vastly beautiful this land is…especially photographing through your train window, but we all tried.

On the way up, the train stops for a few minutes at two other stations, Eigerwand and Eismeer, where passengers can see through the holes excavated from the mountain. The journey from that last point to the top is all underground (yes, frightening), until you reach the final destination. The Jungfraujoch, at (11,332 ft) above sea level, is the highest railway station in Europe.

Looking out the window at a stop we noticed there was very minimal visibility. Still, they told us conditions on top of the mountain could be completely different. We hoped.

Finally, we arrived to the summit and decided to first go find something to eat. We sat in a beautiful restaurant that overlooked the Alps. It seemed a bit surreal, and this feeling was manifested more by the lack of oxygen that was so evident. I felt dizzy. Food and water seemed to help this subside.

At first the fog was SO THICK and I figured visibility would be low, but while we had lunch the clouds began to part. Then, I spotted blue sky! It continued to clear….and WHAT A VIEW.

Lord, your creation is a marvelous work…

Isa 40:26- Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Descending, we continued to soak up the rolling green hills that seemed to be hiding beneath the stature of the grand mountains. I dreamed of life in a modest dwelling, right there in that valley. Can you imagine peering out your window to that scene each day? Would you, could you tire of that view??

Ahhhh…It was the most grand birthday.

The next two days we spent time exploring the cities of Zurich and Lucerne. Just like in the mountains, I couldn’t believe how clean and crystal clear the lakes were, and such a striking color of blue green…

Zurich was lovely, but I was blown away with the high prices. My simple lunch of a water and bowl of broth (I’m not kidding) was around $50. Lucerne seemed more cozy and old world, which I enjoyed more.

This trip was so meaningful to me, and my parents truly gave me one of the best gifts possible…experience. I am incredibly grateful to them.

We made glorious memories across the world, and I celebrated a new year of life while standing on top of the Earth. Did I mention everyone at the rail station breaking out in happy birthday to me? *blush*

Seriously, what more could one ask for…