Ice Water

Chris can't pass up a swim if there is one to be had. Today we were high up above Grindelwald at Alpbachsee, a small icy lake in a mountain-ringed bowl. Although it is July, the water still had snow fields next to it. Not to be outdone though, one of his friends, though from sunny California, also took the plunge. They didn't stay in long, I can tell you!

We used to go camping every other summer along the Great Lakes, often Lake Superior, and there too the water is not very warm. Maybe someday we will get back into camping - Jackie has never had that experience - she's grown up in a very different world than our older three did! She doesn't actually have any memories of Canada at all - but then, she was only 4 the last time she was there.

Pastry Café

The town of Staufen has a large castle on a hill, with vineyards all the way to the top. It also has this great Pastry Café, and so we stopped in here to sample the Kuchen. German cakes are very appealing in both their appearance and taste!

We've had a great time with Mom and Dad, and I hope they can come again next summer for Chris's Graduation. Over the course of their stay, we hiked over 100 km, much of it in the Swiss Alps. They leave tomorrow. They've been able to come to Europe 4 times in 4 years now - not like the old missionary days where you'd head out, often never to return.