Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

We headed up to the Jungfraujoch portion of the alps on our first official full day in Switzerland. Its about 1000ft shorter than Mt.Rainier to put it into perspective, its also a lot more difficult to get to. Its about a two hour cogwheel train ride to the top with a train transfer in between.
We had to make a quick stop off before we boarded because I'm feeling under the weather. I'm not sure if its a sinus infection, the altitude, or the pressure from all the train tunnels we've been in. As I type I've got kleenex jammed in each nostril and my head feels like its in a vice, its nein goot, (no good, just like my german) That being said, It gave me the chance to have some of this is the land of its creation:




RIIICOOOOOLLLLLAAA




While at the store buying my RIICOOOOOLLLLLAAA I ran into this cute little guy. I think he was an Affenpinscher. He looks cute, but he wasn't. Growly little jerk.
Here are some shots from the train on our way up to the top:
















Here is what happened at the Top:




















































Someone made a snow bear with pretzel eyes & mouth.












To the right you can see the observation building. Underneath the observation area it was a maze of exits that popped you out to different viewpoints and into an ice cave at one point. Here are iphone shots from that:




Yeah, its exactly what it looks like, a weird wooden mountain goat with glowing edelweiss surrounding him.




Brian taming the snow beast.




I triple dog dared him. He's still there.




In the Ice Cave, or "Potential Ice Grave" which I think is more fitting.




Ice bears, which aren't as tasty as gummy bears, but they are zero calories.








Sherlock Holmes wins for most random choice for an ice sculpture to put under a mountain.




Brian doing his Zissou point.




Brian conquering the Alps, as well as some stupid kid who wouldn't get out of my shot.








Our our way down the mountain we stopped to linger in Kleine Scheidegg, the clouds had cleared and it looked like the perfect lunch spot.








As we walked around we decided it was actually a really great spot to spread a bit of Gram and Paps. We spread a bit more of Paps because we think he would have loved it here. We think Gram would think its beautiful but it would be no Australia in her eyes, or Andy Roddick's backyard for that matter. The two pics below show their view from the hillside where they rest. It was hard to tell because its not in season, but they're may have been some Edelweiss around them. I hope so.








Here is the view from out lunch spot, not too shabby:








We had a Swiss lunch of Schnitzel and fries. Obviously it should have been called Fries and Schnitzel, but no complaints here. The fries here have been amazing. We've yet to have a bad batch.




We just discovered, or finally noticed, that when out at restaurants beer is the cheapest thing to drink. The waters or Cokes I've been having are consistently a dollar or more than the beers Brian has been having. So I've been taking a lot smaller sips and trying to get my money's worth.




Here is the view we had five minutes after lunch arrived. White out conditions. It stayed like this for the remainder of our lunch and brief after lunch walk, so we decided to head down the mountain. We were pooped anyway.
We are off to Schilthorn in the morning. It's known as Blofeld's lair in the James Bond flick, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, it is a rotating restaurant in real life. Its the James Bond starring George Lazenby. Its actually not a bad movie and he's pretty good looking. He's no Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery. But he's easily third or tied for third with Daniel Craig. Sorry Roger and Timothy.