Resort Town or Back Door Town?

Yesterday afternoon we hiked to a nearby resort town called Murren. We sat down at a restaurant and ordered an appetizer of a "variety of local cheese and meat." The two plates came and the four of us shared a few pieces of thinly sliced meat, two olives, two half-inch long pieces of carrot, and two slices of cheese cut so thin you could see through them, for the cost of 25 Swiss Franks (close to $25).
Earlier that day back in Gimmelwald we met a friendly woman who took us to her 200 year old cheese hut, answered all of our questions on aging cheese, gave us samples, let us take pictures, and gave us enough of her very own aged cheese and cured sausage for a good lunch for half the price of the previously mentioned plates. We also had some fresh homade soup from a small restaurant where the waitress sat and told us about the area for most of the time, as we were her only guests.
This is an example of why we enjoy "backdoor" travel. You can experience local life, tradition, and culture without as much expence and frustration as the crowded tourist towns. The big cities are must- sees and full of excitement, but it is nice to take in some of the fresh air of the smaller, less traveled places too.
I don't blame Heidi for never wanting to leave the simple life up on the alm with the many waterfalls, wildflowers, and lush green hills. The cow bells are ringing, the goats are grazing, and Now I believe why here they say, "If heaven isn't what it's made out to be, take me back to Gimmelwald."

photo posted from my iPhone

photo posted from my iPhone

Road Trip to Switzerland

Buy a Fiat and you get this handy vest to safely change a flat or flag down help. We had to turn around a couple of times, but no help needed.



photo posted from my iPhone

We drove as far as we could through the Alps then took a lift up this mountainside to the little town of Gimmelwald. Don't look for it on a map, it won't be there.



photo posted from my iPhone

On Top of the World

We arrived in Gimmelwald after dark, ate some great pizza at the youth hostel, then hiked about ten minutes up to our B&B. We let ourselves in and found a note guiding us to our rooms. This cosy little mountain home is the perfect introduction to the Alps with no TV, creaky old floors, and Swiss cheese for breakfast. I woke up bright and early to this view and for the first time in my life wanted to yodel.



photo posted from my iPhone

Today's Highlight

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> Highlight for Kristi, JR, & Rach: riding la bicicletta around the > piazza and castle in Milan > Highlight for Gio: Apperitivo (free small buffet with any drink > ordered at different bars around the city. The Florida was > buonissimo!) > Highlight for Charlotte: meeting up with papa outside the duomo > Highlight for Ems: Chasing all of the birds in the piazza

photo posted from my iPhone

Living it up in Vigevano, Italy

photo posted from my iPhone

Travel Rule #1: Relax!

I got so worried before our trip about how I was going to entertain Emerson, if I was bringing enough toys (couldn't fit much), how he would adjust, or what people would think if he got upset.
We have a tendency to expect the worst in situations. First of all, Children are creative and can entertain themselves just fine! Below is a picture of the little boy playing on our new Italian friends' (Joe & Natalie) balcony with their duster and other cleaning supplies. He had a blast.
People are generally very kind and generous when you are traveling with kid in tow. We were given a little toy car by a generoso Italian boy (who wouldn't stop talking to JR even though he didn't understand a word of his Italian) before our first flight and a package of crackers from Japan by a lady on our second flight. We met up with Rach and Giovanni's bread man (who has become a friend of the whole family) where we received free milk, fresh pizza, and other goodies.




photo posted from my iPhone

photo posted from my iPhone

Advice for Traveling Mommies

Advice for Traveling Mommies

You can enjoyably travel internationally with a toddler and we are out to prove it! I thought it would be fun to document our travels over the next few weeks for Emerson's grandmas and grandpas (and the other 3 or 4 people who actually read this blog).
We are a little crazy for taking along a one-year-old on our adventures, but he is part of the adventure! Stay tuned for some brief phone posts to see some of the madness and fun.

Surviving the flight:
Traveling with a little one has its advantages as well. Have you ever taken a flight and sat with your legs straight out in front of you in COACH? Bulkhead seating is reserved for wheelchairs and those with babies. I highly recommend requesting these seats when you check in (usually you can't do it sooner). Set your carry-on bag down to block the isle and walla, you have a playpen on the plane! An iPhone loaded with videos and toddler game apps helps a lot too! Besides an episode of Emerson sticking his foot in my pasta on the plane, kicking it off the tray onto his bed set up on the floor, and then spilling cran- apple juice on his daddy's seat, the flights went very well (for 17 hours worth)!!



photo posted from my iPhone

"Are we out of hot sauce?"

I turn my back for two seconds with the fridge open and . . .

A Birthday Party

A Little La Jolla

In his short life he has been to the beach more than a public park. It will be a devastating reality when he realizes he lives in Utah and nowhere near the ocean.



The top three freaks of nature I was disgusted by at the aquarium in La Jolla:




Sick! Tiny garden eels. How would you like to step on one of these?







Can you spot why this one freaks me out? Look closer. There is a big fish disguised as a rock in the center. Creepy!





Number one FREAK! This eel barely moved and made me feel so uneasy I had to step back from the tank.





Some pretty things to look at to get your mind off of the previous:







Emerson loves cugina Charlotte