After two days of huff-puff hiking in the Alps, today was a touring day, much appreciated by the group. We took the cogwheel train down to Interlaken from Wengen, then two more trains and a bus to get to the Swiss open-air museum in Ballenberg. I'm not talking about lengthy trips, merely short hops, bursting with verdant scenery. We enjoy the rides we take here -- the cogwheel down from Wengen takes my breath away every time. (Other than on foot, the cogwheel is the only way to/from Wengen, 'cause it's a vertical climb from the valley. I'd be really hard on foot.)
Anyhoot, Ballenberg is one of those museums that represents the local rural economy back in the day. Historic buildings that were not preserved in their original locations, were carefully removed and reconstructed on the 66-acre museum grounds.
Marcus was our guide for the two-hour tour, and a very good one, indeed. We used our "whispers" to listen to his spiel. He had a great sense of humor.
Probably because of their short blooming season, wildflowers and cultivated ones, too, are brilliant (to attract insects/pollinators) and grow in every nook and cranny. It's wonderful.
More than 100 14th-19th century residential and commercial buildings from all over Switzerland -- from stately farmhouses, the humble buildings of the day laborers, alpine settlements or the stables, barns and wash houses -- were moved to Ballenberg to illustrate the architectural and socio-historical testimony of everyday life and the rural culture of bygone times. Each room conveyed insights into everyday rural life in Switzerland.
Giddy-up. No, we didn't ride in the wagon.
Also on hand were over 250 farmyard animals. The dog, above, had its own little "house" in the box behind where it's resting. The only time we saw it move was when its master whistled to "come down," and then it took off!
Many of the trades were represented -- bread making/baking, weaving, lace-making, farming, animal husbandry, hair salons, etc. -- and it was all fascinating. The fellow, above, was very busy with his bread. BTW, Switzerland has really good-tasting bread!
Aha! Here's our Road Scholar guide, Karin, slicing bread for our picnic lunch on the grounds later today. We filled our water bottles at the "drip faucet" above.
Drying flax or something similar.
Cows are like Switzerland's national symbol (or maybe they really are? I should look it up.) Bossie and her friends with their musical bells seem to be on every Swiss hillside!
Cow bells.
This was so cute. A young'un came to its mom for a late-morning drink. What's an animal to do when it gets its tummy full? Lay down for a nap!
We may not have been Out and About in our hiking clothes and shoes, but we covered a lot of distance at this outdoor museum. Quite interesting -- plus, we watched a number of people actually working at their crafts.
Each farm looked really healthy and productive.
Lunchtime!
I think Indian Runner ducks are my favorites. We also saw bunny wabbits, different kinds of chickens and kinda hostile roosters, geese, oinkers, and a puddycat.
With waterwheels for grinding corn/grain, bones, and sawing wood, Ballenberg had it covered. One guy was actually sawing lumber for planks using old waterwheel technology. The planks he was sawing were perfect. The above exhibit was for making bone meal.
Lucy enjoyed feeding grapes to the horse (from on-site grapevines). Be guaranteed that the horse enjoyed those grapes!
I don't know what kind of trees these are, but Jimmy and I both liked the pattern of the roots and rocks.
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After lunch, we reboarded the bus to take us to the town of Brienz and the ferryboat dock. We'll be taking the ferry boat rather than the train back to Interlaken!
Brienz See (means Brienz Lake) -- Jimmy and Sheila.
Paddle-wheel workings.
Sheila and I decided this was a castle. Our guide said it was a chateau. Either way, isn't it a beauty? The aquamarine water color is compliments of the glaciers. Also quite beautiful.
After our relaxing cruise from Brienz to Interlaken, and before heading back to Wengen, our guide suggested a trip up the Harderbahn (funicular) to Harder Kulm! We were all game. The durn thing has a 64% average gradient, as in Straight Up -- 2473 ft!
As you see, straight up! You can't see the top.
One goes up as one comes down.
Oh the views at the top!
The observation platform with its mountain and lake views was always crowded.
We see many, many hang gliders floating through the Swiss skies here in the Alps. The one above decided to give the onlookers a thrill by sailing overhead at close range!
Cows, everywhere.
Some of our group didn't stick around and returned (via funicular and cogwheel) to Wengen. Some had a beer. Some ordered burgers. I had a cappuccino and Jimmy drank a coffee, and then we took the funicular down.
And, by gum, we had a front-row seat! Woo-hoo!
My piggies! My heart!
Back in Wengen, Jimmy and I each had a bowl of potato soup (with bread) for dinner at the hotel, joining Phil and Sally. We talked about pizza, but nixed it. Soup was just fine; it was late. Our day was full and full of good things. Tomorrow we hike up to Schynige Platte. Good night from Switzerland!
