Swiss Alps

I traveled to Zurich this weekend to meet up with a few European friends before they headed to Munich for Oktoberfest and Laura, a Nebraskan friend, was able to add Switzerland to her Euro travel plans and meet up with us too. I saw her as soon as I stepped off the train and immediately started laughing as I was so happy to see a familiar face from home. I had the weird feeling that we couldn't possibly be in Switzerland and we were just walking around Omaha. The German signs snapped me back to reality though :) We took another train to get to Patrick's city and despite the fact that I literally led us to the wrong side of the tracks once we arrived, Laura and I were eventually able to reunite with Lena, Patrick and Jermaine.  

We woke up Saturday morning and got ready for our day in the mountains. The Alps you guys... words can't really describe them so I'll try to let my pictures do the talking this post :) 

This is one of the first pictures I took (and later cropped due to the rearview mirror and car dash that took up most of it) from the back seat of the car as we were driving to Klausenpass Saturday morning. I couldn't contain my excitement and captured a lot of color blurs and reflections of myself but also managed to get some decent photos. 

We drove up to this lake and I was absolutely speechless. So extremely beautiful and the water was so clear! 

The water reflections absolutely blew me away. They also unfortunately give away that I can't hold still long enough to take a picture as the tilt on the above photo proves... 

Me giving the Alps a huge smile and my seal of approval.

Patrick, Lena and Jermaine laughing candidly with a casually beautiful backdrop

Laura and I being pals- I think the filter on this picture just screams ~fall~

Needless to say, I fell in love with this spot. We took a mountain pass over to another area and it was just as beautiful. We stopped at a restaurant area and I had to feed my caffeine addiction so I got an espresso. I thought I was adding a little milk to my coffee but joke was on me and the machine started dispensing an entire cup of steamed milk. So, I had a hot chocolate of sorts in addition to my coffee. 

Looking down into the valley

Waterfall flowing into this little town- too perfect not to capture

We stopped at this restaurant for some sandwiches for lunch on our way down the mountain. We could hear the cowbells the whole time and it added to an already perfect day taking in the Alps. 

Speaking of the cows, they were everywhere! They all have bells around their necks and I couldn't help but think how happy Bruce Dickinson would have been with all the cowbells... More about the cows next week though as I'm going to a Swiss Cow Festival this Saturday!

I have a bit more to share from the weekend but think I'll stop here for now. Here are two of my favorite pictures from the Alps. 

This is without a doubt, the best picture I have ever taken

Jermaine, Lena, me, Patrick and Laura

Thanks again for following along everyone!!