Milkshakes, Toast, Beer and Hiking

So what do milkshakes, toast and beer have to do with hiking?  Just random thoughts that cross my mind while hiking down the trail.  Of course, I have to share my random thoughts with Rick, which I think amuses him or at least I hope so.  Not that I talk all the time, there were times today that I was just hoping my knees would not give out and I was going to make it down the trail.  But like our dog Kona, I can become food motivated, thus my obsession today with milkshakes and toast.  I like to blame the milkshake thing on Amanda, who posted a comment on the blog.  As we were leaving for our hike I saw her comment about hiking in the same area we were yesterday and she and Tim  coming across a farmhouse that was selling milkshakes made with the farm's  fresh milk!  If only I had known!!!  I was tempted to convince Rick to change our hiking plans today, just to find the milkshakes.  I came to my senses, I had picked the hike yesterday and Rick has picked the hike today, so I wanted to be fair.  Today's hike had us leaving our village to go up via cog rail to the opposite side of the valley.  I was pretty excited about going on the cog train, it is a tiny vintage looking train with wooden seats and wide windows that open so you can take photographs.  Unfortunately, we happened to jump on the train that was loaded with a large tour group so taking a photograph was impossible since they were standing and blocking the view.  The train winds itself up the mountain to the ski town of Wegen and then on up to Kleine Scheidegg.  The train line ends there and for those going on up to "The Top of Europe" Jungfraujoch,  they transfer to another train.  For Rick and me, it was time to get off and hike back down to Wengen.  For those who ski the Rockies, think being at the top of the mountain at Keystone or Vail.  There was a restaurant and a huge sign indicating trail (both skiing and hiking) closures.  We were at 6,762 feet, above tree line, a few snow fields still present, wildflowers blooming, blue skies, and no one else on the trail for the first hour or so.  The trail meandered through the blooming meadow, crossing snow, over babbling brooks, at times rocky, at times just a dirt path.  The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau towered over us on the left.  Except for our chatter and the helicopter that was flying from the valley to the Jungfrau it was quiet and peaceful.
It was a great hike, more difficult than yesterday.
So back to the toast and milkshakes.  I convinced myself we just might find a place on this side of the valley to get a milkshake.  I could just taste it, and since it was a hot day it sounded perfect to me.  But alas, no milkshake for us.  So on to toast.  I have had the perfect toast the last 2 morning for breakfast.  As many of my friends know, I am usually unhappy with the toast when we go out for breakfast.  It is either just warmed up bread or cold, nothing special, often tasteless.   The hotel we are staying has the typical German/Swiss self serve breakfast.  Eggs, cheeses, meats, yogurt, and Birchermuesli, a mixture of yogurt, fruit and juice soaked oats which is yummy.  But the best if the bread; and when toasted to perfection, it is heavenly.  Rick made the mistake of taking my slice out of the toaster too soon, not a good move, don't think he will make that mistake again. The perfect slice of toast: the bread toasted to just the right crispness spread with butter and strawberry jam.   I am looking forward to having two slices in the morning before we head out to St. Gallen.

Our 8 plus mile hike ended at Wengen (and by the way we saw a wild Ibex, a horned mountain goat).  We were both hot and tired, legs and knees were hurting, so I was glad to get back on the cog train and head down the mountain.  We made a beeline to the Airtime Cafe and had savory pies and beer for another late lunch and topped it off with a 3 berry pie.  

 Me getting off the train at Kleine Scheidegg

 Rick heading across the snowfield

Wild Crocus 

 We have decided the sign post are for a very fast and very fit Swiss hiker

 This was one of our favorite spots on the trail.

Looking back up the valley to the Eiger

Wish I had taken a photo of the nice German young man who was biking up to where we had started. We took a photo for him and he returned the favor.

Another view of the Jungfrau ice fields

 Back in the trees, this trail just kept getting steeper and steeper, with many switchbacks.  We did see the Ibex near here, but was not fast enough to get a photo.

 As we approached Wegen, we came across a few farms.  Loved how the goats were sleeping together.  I was hoping to find a milkshake at this point, but not to be.

Just a cute picture of a hut or cabin with its own water wheel

 Reward for a good day of hiking.  Great cafe in Lauterbrunnen called Airtime.  We had lunch here the first day as well.  Savory pies and beer with a three berry pie for dessert.