My Month in Europe: Swiss Alps!

Well, it's officially been one year since I was in Europe. 

Oddly enough, at this time last year I had just left the Swiss Alps for Germany!

It's a little pathetic that it's been an entire year and I'm still working on blogging my trip, but when you spend 23 days in Europe and you're intent on blogging each and every one of those, it can take some time!

Especially when it comes to days like this day spent in the Swiss Alps.

I'll just say from the start that it was honestly, completely, 100% beyond words.

Every time I've tried to describe it to anyone I get so frustrated at my inability to put the feelings I felt and the things I experienced this day into words, and their inability to comprehend something so life changing for me.

So in order to give you the most authentic description possible, I'm going to share this day using what I wrote in my travel journal that night back at the hotel (with some more personal experiences left out).

Captions are from Instagram posts made during and after the trip!

October 9th, 2014

"Wow, I'm just going to start this by saying that there is no way I'll be able to adequately describe how truly incredible this day was.

We woke fairly early to drive into the Alps, and the drive was so surreal and beautiful. Then, seeing the Alps even from the bus was breathtaking.

We rode the gondola up and none of us could believe our eyes. I barely wanted to take pictures because I knew they wouldn't come close to doing the real thing justice. It was an unusually clear day so we could see all of the peaks perfectly.

Today was one of the most perfect and unbelievable days of my life.
#hikingtheswissalps

A group of us hiked (well, leisurely walked, really) from the gondola into Muren. We had the Alps in front of us the whole time and every view was truly magnificent! I wish I could adequately describe the feeling and the view.  

 

Once getting to Muren and catching our breath from the view, we found a place to have Swiss cheese fondue! We had a great view and ate amazing and delectable tomato soup and fondue! Switzerland really does have the best cheese and chocolate. Oh! And Water! They have running water spigots where you can fill up water bottles with water fresh from the Alps! It was the best water I've ever tasted!

Alright friends, I know you're all sick of my Europe posts, but I am so nostalgic for this today! It's hard to believe I was eating Swiss cheese fondue, in the Swiss Alps, drinking fresh Alp water, petting Swiss cows, and buying a Swiss watch from the sweetest little old lady. That day was as close to perfect as you can get.
#swissalps

We walked around to some shops where I bought a shirt and also walked up to see some Swiss cows! They really do have bells, and I swear the cows there are actually cute :)

After spending time in Muren we went back to the Gondola to take it down. While waiting for the Gondola I was able to catch a few minutes alone just taking in the view. I had an indescribable and truly perfect moment of the deepest gratitude to Heavenly Father. I couldn't help but feel so much love and gratitude, I was overcome with it. I am truly grateful for those rare and precious moments that I feel so remarkably close to Him. 

These mountains allowed for so many moments of peace and profound disbelief. I spent the entire day in awe of this world and my Father in Heaven who created it. As I go to sleep tonight and cary on through the rest of my life I will always remember this day and the deep sense of gratitude I felt that was impossible to ignore. The Swiss Alps will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

Once down off the mountain we walked around more and I surprisingly found a Swiss watch I fell in love with! So of course, I splurged.

I bought it from the sweetest little old lady who told us her story in broken English. She was born in the home that still stands across the street from her store and has lived there her entire life. Her and her husband lived there together and he has since passed, but she wakes up every morning and carries on running the business independently. She was the sweetest.

It wasn't a fancy or a busy day. It was simple, relaxed, and easy, but so very, very special. I will remember my Swiss Alps experience for a long time to come!"

Last night I had a beautiful view of the Wasatch mountains as my plane was flying in. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home. No mountain range will ever compare with the magnificence of the Swiss Alps, but for now I am perfectly content to call the beautiful mountains of Utah my home.