Fall is here!

Is it possible, can it really be fall already? I keep asking myself where the summer went. Oh yes, that's right we had a baby! Although I'm sad to see that the summer has already come and gone, I could not be more excited for the months ahead. We have a lot of traveling to do, visitors to entertain, and a trip back to the U.S. for the holidays! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous recently and I'm hoping it holds out like this for at least another month. But just in case it doesn't we took advantage of one of the first official days of fall this past weekend to head out on a beautiful hike.

To just get to the start of our hike we had to take a variety of forms of public transportation... a tram to a train to a bus and finally a ride on a boat! It was Emma's first boat ride, and an old steamboat at that! As a result I think about the only mode of transportation Emma has left to experience is an airplane ride (which will happen in another 1.5 months).

Dad & Emma getting ready for the boat ride

Emma catching a breeze on the boat

What a cool boat!

The Swiss William Tell Path was gorgeous as it wound us along Lake Lucerne, which I think is one of my favorite lakes in Switzerland surrounded by some of the smaller, but nonetheless extremely beautiful alps. The start was little tough with about a 500 meter incline, but it was mostly shaded and well worth the views at each look out point on the way up as they just kept getting more beautiful. The views over the lake, small lakeside towns, and the mountains surrounding reminded us of photos of the Norway fjords - we can't wait until our trip there next summer so we can compare first hand! The stunning views also provided us with surreal moments of "do we really live here?"

Taking a breather before more uphill

Views over a "Swiss fjord"

Best view, but someone didn't feel like smiling...

As we made our way back down from the heavenly views back to the lake we found ourselves in the town of Bauen that had a Mediterranean feel complete with palm trees and salamanders. I was very surprised to see this in central Switzerland as it felt more like the Italian border cities. I later found out that this town is unique in it's more humid and tropical climate as it is sits in a relatively sheltered position. We were also surprised to find ourselves at the end point of our hike in just over 3 hours. It is the first hike we have finished in the actual time marked for the trail despite an Emma encouraged 30 minute break! I guess we must be getting in better hiking shape or maybe it is also because it is one of the first trails that we haven't wandered off the marked path!

Dad & Emma enjoying a break

Not a Swiss hike without some cows...

Needless to say by the time we returned home (once again using our many forms of transit) we were sufficiently tired and content with our day's excursion. It was indeed a great way to start fall!

My favorite two people