Hadley-Ives family photographs from 2015. Page 11.

Page 11 features photographs of Switzerland, including Basel, Gimmelwald, and the Alps.
2015 photographs: page 1; page 2; page 3; page 4; page 5; page 6; page 7; page 8; page 9; page 10; this is page 11; page 12; page 13; page 14; page 15; page 16; page 17; page 18; page 19; page 20; page 21; page 22.

Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
Tulips and an old home in Gimmelwald. Spring flowers in Gimmelwald. Gimmelwald, laundry in the rain.
Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
Saturday morning view south from our chalet door. View southwest from Gimmelwald on a May 2nd morning. Gimmelwald.
Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
The Honesty Shop in Gimmelwald. No one staffs the shop; customers just put leave money for whatever they take. The main street through Gimmelwald. This is the cabin where we stayed for the weekend in Gimmelwald.
Gimmelwald, Switzerland. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
Cabins in Gimmelwald. Storage shed in Gimmelwald, probably containing cheese. Some goats in Gimmelwald.
Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
The two little black goats were going inside their barn, as it was rather late in the day, and the rain was continuous. We noticed the six-pointed Star of David made of plants on the side of this goat barn, and wondered if this was a traditional charm to attract blessings for the goats. Friendly and curious, this Gimmelwald goat comes up to the fence to greet us with a hello.
Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria. Old town Salzburg, Autria.
The cattle in Gimmelwald were sheltering in their sheds and barns, as it was very rainy, and too early (with too much snow) to move up to the high summer pastures. But we saw a few cows in the town. Some of the barns in Gimmelwald displayed cow bells evidently won as prizes, or commemorating events when the local cows won honors at fairs or contests. As the train approached Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken Ost, we passed some lovely settlements in the valleys of the Lütschine and White Lütschine Rivers, and admired these chalets near Lauterbrunnen.
The view from the slope above the village looking down into Gimmelwald. Gimmelwald, Switzerland, a rainy evening in early May, with the valley in mist, and mountains dissappearing in the clouds. Gimmelwald above the confluence of the Sefinen Lütschine and the Weisse Lütschine
Looking down on Gimmelwald on a rainy day (May 1st, 2015) in the late afternoon. Friday evening in Gimmelwald, a view as we were coming back after a hike, and eager to get warm and dry and enjoy dinner. Beyond the village of Gimmelwald we see the valley of the Weisse (White) Lütschine extending to the southeast and the valley of the Sefinen Lütschine meeting it from the southwest, with ragged clouds under the snowy slopes of the Gletscherhorn and Äbni Flue.
The Bort road above Gimmelwald Gazing through the evening mist toward Tschingelspitz Gimmelwald, Switzerland, a rainy evening in early May.
The higher road above Gimmelwald is named "Bort" on maps. At the edge of the forest up above Gimmelwald, looking southwest toward Tschingelspitz and Gspaltenhorn. We follow the footpath down into Gimmelwald.
Yard decorations in Gimmelwald, with such ornaments as a dwarf (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), foxes, deer, and a wagon wheel. Flowers in Gimmelwald with a view of the valley Flowers in Gimmelwald with a view of the valley
Gimmelwald garden and lawn with flowers and decorations. These flowers were growing in the yard of the chalet next to one where we stayed. We enjoyed the charming view of the flowers with the valley beyond.

Gimmelwald has a bench along the Bort Road where people can rest and view the valley and the village below.

violets growing by a pine cone Swiss bush Lovely little purple flowers
Swiss violets by a pinecone. Swiss shrub with flowers that reminded me of barnacles. Swiss flowers growing beside a fallen tree.
narcissus rises above floweres Mass of purple flowers Mass of purple flowers
The narcissus rises above the other flowers. Purple flowers cover the ground in Gimmelwald. Swiss flowers growing beside a tree.
Purple flower Blue flowers white and purple crocus
Flowers in Gimmelwald. Flowers in Gimmelwald. On May 2nd, alpine crocus like these were covering the meadows along the trail from Grütschalp to Winteregg. Early May seems like the peak season for these.
cluster of cone-shaped pink flowers Red flowers Pink flowers
Flowers near Winteregg. Flowers in Gimmelwald. Flowers near Mürren.
Tapestry with mythical beasts created around 1480 in Basel, Switzerland Yellow flowers in the median where Bäumleingasse meets Freie Straße. Interlaken Ost at the train station
This tapestry was made in Basel around 1480, and it is exhibited in the Basel history museum. It features a pair of lovers (the man is pictured here) with mythical beasts. The banner above the man in the tapestry means, in essence: “There is no creature hidden from God, for God has made each creature" (thus, no animal or person can escape God’s notice, or God’s justice—there is no refuge from God). Flowers in the street (Bäumleingasse) in Basel, looking from the intersection with Freie Straße. Not so many flowers as the alpine meadows, but at least enough to remind the urban Swiss of their connection to the pastoral meadows outside the city.
I like the golden angel over the front of the shop to the left of the Mezger jewelry shop. 		This is a building at the Interlaken Ost train station in Switzerland. There is a grocery store co-op here, and it is a fine place to purchase some groceries before heading up to a cabin or chalet in the mountains (there is also a similar shop in Mürren).
Facade of Basel Town Hall Inner Courtyard of Basel Town Hall Banners on the facade of the Basel Town Hall
Three little girls walk past the Basel town hall carrying white balloons from the Turkish-Swiss cultural festival taking place in the Marktplatz in front of the city hall. Inside the inner courtyard of the Basel town hall. The original paintings were made by Hans Bock in the beginning of the 17th century. Banners of Basel adorn the town hall. The town hall in its present form is mostly a result of the rennovations made in 1900, although a significant amount of the painting and design still dates to the early 17th century (1600s), and some of the architectural features even date from the rennovation and enlargment made in the early 16th century (1500s).
A narrow alley leads toward a blue-grey building with streaming banners of Basel and Switzerland Banners on the facade of the Basel Town Hall Banners on the facade of the Basel Town Hall
The narrow Rheinsprung runs along the Rhine river through an older part of Basel. On May 3rd of 2015 the Rhine was swollen with the rains and snow melt from the alps as it flowed briskly on its way through Basel. This is a scene from the Mittlere Brücke (middle bridge) looking south toward older Basel. Basel is an ancient city, with many old landmarks, but it is also the second largest city in Switzerland (after Zurich), and a modern headquarters of Swiss commerce and industry. The modern skyscrapers across the Rhine from the old town remind a visitor of the blend of modern and traditional in Swiss Basel.
Saint Paul Church in Basel, in the rain Art Nouveau details on the Saint Paul Church in Basel, with the words, “Dein Reich Komme” A home in Basel all covered with ivy and other plants
The Saint Paul church in Basel is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. Above the door of the Saint Paul Church in Basel we see “Thy Kingdom Come” from the Lord’s Prayer. Across the street from the Saint Paul Church in Basel a visitor can admire this residence all covered with verdant plants.
Round ball of moss A Red Kite soars through the air just below eye level. European Jay on a trail
A cute ball of moss growing on the stone along the trail. This Red Kite is flying just below our position on the valley slope. This jay is on the trail to Mürren.
A stream cascades down through the grass The gravel track goes straight along the slope toward Gimmelwald. The farmer's dog looks up at me with a puzzled expression
A stream tumbles down through the grass on its way to the Lütschine. Heading back to Gimmelwald on the Eschen track. The Eschen road leaves Gimmelwald and goes up the Sefinen Lütschine valley toward the Rotstockhütte near the Sefibach stream. A farmer driving along the Eschen track to Gimmelwald gave me a lift, and I shared the truck bed with two German hikers and the farmer’s tired, but sweet dog.
A view of Mürren from the cable car station. Looking at Mürren from Gimmelwald Beautiful Mürren with its large hotels.
Mürren, Switzerland. Mürren is on the left in the distance when you look this direction from Gimmelwald, Switzerland. Mürren, Switzerland.
The Mysterious peak looms up in the mist, behind Gimmelwald Looking down into the valley toward Lauterbrunnen Old town Salzburg, Autria.
The landmark peak behind Gimmelwald. Looking down into the valley below Mürren. The flag of the Bernese Canton in Switzerland flies above Mürren.
Jungfrau rises over a green meadow sprinkled with crocus Details of Jungfrau The trail winds along the slope with great mountains shrouded in mist across the valley
Jungfrau seen from a crocus-carpeted meadow near Winteregg on the route from Grütschalp to Mürren. A closer look at Jungfrau. The trail down to Gimmelwald from the forest just above the town.
Ebnefluh Mountain Details of Ebnefluh Swiss Alps
Away beyond the Jungfrau stands the Ebnefluh. A closer look at the Ebnefluh Fresh snow had fallen the previous night.
The Eiger The Eiger Swiss Alps
The Eiger rises up over Mürren. A closer look at the Eiger. After going up to the top of the Schlithorn, our views of the mountains become much clearer, until the clouds moved in.
Swiss Alps Swiss Alps Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps, specifically the Berner Alpen. Clouds obscure the top of the Morgenhorn. From the Schlithorn you can see distant peaks such as the Wildstrubel and the Wildhorn (above).
Swiss Alps from the Schlithorn observation deck Swiss Alps Swiss Alps
There had been heavy snow the previous night, and the observation deck at the top of the Schlithorn was being cleared when we arrived (May 2, 2015). On a clear day, you would be able to see Mont Blanc near the center of this scene, but a blanket of clouds obscures it from view here. Descending from the Schlithorn the views from the cable car should be observed.
Avalanche Waterfall in the Lütschine Valley. Waterfalls in the Lütschine Valley
We observed an avalanche from the Schlithorn. The valley of the White Lütschine has so many tall waterfalls in May. Waterfalls everywhere!
Bell tower in Thun Castle in Thun Swiss countryside south of Basel
There were some delightful glimpses of Swiss towns and scenic countryside as we rode the trains in Switzerland. Here is the bell tower in Thun. A view from our train window of the castle in Thun, Switzerland. The early May countryside south of Basel where the hills are not so steep and the mountains are still away off in the distance.
Spiez Church Tower in Switzerland, as noticed out the window of our train. Near Interlaken, Switzerland Near Interlaken, Switzerland
The train passes Spiez as it approaches Interlaken, and you can glimpse this church steeple. The scenery near Interlaken. Near Interlaken, going past the area of Wilderswil.
Near Interlaken, Switzerland The Lindt Chocolate Factory in Switzerland Houses in Bern
This cute church and cemetery were right by the rail line near Krattigen by the Thunersee. I enjoy Lindt chocolates, even though they are too expensive. We saw a huge Lindt chocolate factory as we rode the train from Basel to Bern. How nice it would be to taste some of their treats! We had a peek at some residential neighborhoods in Bern as our train made a stop in the Swiss Capital on our way from Basel to Interlaken Ost.
The church in Lauterbrunen is quite near a waterfall. Wengen, Switzerland. Wengen, Switzerland.
As the bus takes you from Lauterbrunnen toward the cable car station for your trip to Gimmelwald or Mürren, you pass many waterfalls, such as this one near the Lauterbrunnen church. The village of Wengen is perched on the mountain above Lauterbrunnen, just across the valley from Mürren. This is a view of Wengen and the mountains to the northeast from the Grütschalp station.
The passenger train Train on the line from Mürren Jeri riding on the train
This was the train that brought us from Mürren to Grütschalp. We enjoyed a lovely walk back to Mürren. One of the trains that transports passengers between Mürren and Grütschalp, with stops at Winteregg. Jeri (春枝) was quite comfortable on the trains in Switzerland.
Arriving home at our cottage in Gimmelwald The slide in Gimmelwald Jeri riding on the train
Jeri is pointing to our cottage in Gimmelwald. Arthur tests the slide in Gimmelwald while we wait for a cable car. Jeri walks through the main street of Mürren.
Map in Mürren On the trail with the Jungfrau behind us. Jeri in Mürren
Mürren has this helpful map right by the cable car station. Eric and Arthur along the trail, with the Jungfrau rising behind them. Jeri walks through the main street of Mürren.
Arthur looks out over Switzerland. The slide in Gimmelwald Inside the cabin is a couch.
Arthur is up on the Schlithorn, above most of Switzerland. Jeri and Eric on the Schlithorn. May 2, 2015. Temperature of about -3 Celsius. This was the living room in our cabin in Gimmelwald.
Dinner Breakfast A massive Twix
One of our dinners in our cabin. The cheese was a local Gimmelwald Alp Cheese. Breakfast on Sunday morning in our cabin. We usually prepared our own meals when we were staying in places with kitchens. This is a large size of Twix.
Arthur sits on a bench amid a snow bank. Arthur stands in a forest in front of some snow Arthur hiking around Gimmelwald
There was plenty of snow along the trails around Gimmelwald and Mürren on the first few days of May. We enjoyed seeing snow again. We had spent the winter in Taiwan, only seeing snow on a couple days when we visited South Korea, so we were eager to see snow when we got to the mountains. Arthur and Eric took short hikes from Gimmelwald on Friday and Saturday evenings, but there was light rain on both occassions.
Arthur is walking up the Eschen track toward Gimmelwald after at the end of our Sunday evening walk. Jeri is crouching in a meadow with many white crocus blossoms around her and the snow-covered Jungfrau in the background. Jeri is walking on a trail with mountains and forests behind her.
Arthur is walking up the Eschen track toward Gimmelwald after at the end of our Sunday evening walk. Jeri and the rest of us admired the masses of crocuses growing in the alpine meadows. Jeri joined Eric and Arthur for the longer walk from Grütschalp to Mürren. Here she is walking on the trail to Mürren.
Jeri is standing by a tremendous rock Jeri is walking on a trail with a tall mountain peeking out of the clouds behind her Jeri is walking on a trail with snow around her
When we started our hike out of Grütschalp we had come from the freezing air of the Schlithorn, and Jeri wore her coat. The trail sometimes came close along the rail tracks, and the mountains came out from the clouds and then hid within the clouds, emerging and dissappearing. Later, Jeri removed her warm coat, as it was quite mild, near 15 degrees Celsius.
Eric and Arthur are looking through windows. Jeri and Arthur are standing in the rain holding their umbrellas, with the flowers of Saint Paul Church behind them Jeri stands on coblestones in front of old houses in Basel.
We stopped in Basel for several hours on Sunday as we returned to Strasbourg. We saw, for example, the Basel Cathedral. On Friday the 1st of May we encountered heavy rain in Basel, but on the 3rd the rain paused during our visit and we stayed dry. Basel is certainly worth a longer visit. The museums are outstanding, and the older part of the city deserves a long walk.
     

History Timeline

Sources and diversions.

 

Other web pages with our pictures:

2015 collection of images from Europe

  • Page 1, London.
  • Page 2, Castille: Madrid
  • Page 3, Strasbourg in March.
  • Page 4, Strasbourg in April.
  • Page 5, Strasbourg in May.
  • Page 6, Paris.
  • Page 7, The interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg.
  • Page 8, The exterior Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg
  • Page 9, Turkey: Edirne and Istanbul.
  • Page 10, Austria: Salzburg.
  • This is page 11, Switzerland: Basel, Gimmelwald, & the Alps.
  • Page 12, France: Alsace and Lorraine (Nancy, Colmar, Riquewihr, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Obernai, Molsheim, Nideck, Haguenau)
  • Page 13, France and Monaco (Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Montpellier, Monte Carlo)
  • Page 14, Germany: Bavaria (Füssen, Hohenschwangau, Munich)
  • Page 15, Germany along the Rhine (Rastatt, Karlsruhe, Bruchsal, the Rhineland-Palatinate)
  • Page 16, Bulgaria (Varna, Plovdiv, Kazanlak)
  • Page 17, Romania (Brasov, Bran, Sinaia, Sighisoara, Biertan, Sibiu, Bucharest)
  • Page 18, Luxembourg and Arlon, Belgium
  • Page 19, Italy and San Marino (Milan, Genoa, Bologna, Rimini, Citta di San Marino)
  • Page 20, Catalan: Barcelona
  • Page 21, Netherlands: Amsterdam
  • Page 22, Denmark: Copenhagen

Thematic Pages

  • Page 1, Doors (1): Doors and portals.
  • Page 2, Doors (2): More doors, portals, and gateways.
  • Page 3, Doors (3): More gates, doors, portals, and entrances.
  • Page 4, Doors (4): Even more doors.
  • Page 5, Door Fixtures (1): Decorations and fixtures on doors; door knockers or door knobs.
  • Page 6, Door Fixtures (2): More door handles, door knobs, knockers, and so forth.
  • Page 7, Door Fixtures (3): Another page of door fixtures such as door knobs.
  • Page 8, Lamps and Lights (1): Lanterns and lamps, with several from Romania.
  • Page 9, Lamps and Lights (2): Lanterns and lamps, including San Marino and Barcelona.
  • Page 10, Lamps and Lights (3): More lanterns and lamps.
  • Page 11, Lamps and Lights (4): Even more lights, lanterns, lamps, and so forth.
  • Page 12, Flowers, Tulips (1): Keukenhof Garden and its tulips..
  • Page 13, Flowers, Tulips (2): Second page of flowers, more tulips in Keukenhof Garden.
  • Page 14, Flowers, Tulips (3): More tulips.
  • Page 15, Flowers, Orchids (1): Flowers, mostly orchids.
  • Page 16, Flowers, Orchids (2): Orchids and similar flowers.
  • Page 17, Flowers, Orchids (3): Even more orchids.
  • Page 18, Flowers and Plants (1): Various plants, including flowers and trees.
  • Page 19, Flowers and Plants (2): Flowers and interesting plants, including mushrooms.
  • Page 20, Flowers and Plants (3): Trees, flowers,ferns, and interesting plants.
  • Page 21, Spires and Weathervanes (1): Weather vanes and decorative spires on top of roofs.
  • Page 22, Spires and Weathervanes (2): More weathervanes, spires, and so forth.
  • Page 23, Spires and Weathervanes (3): Even more decorative spires and weathervanes.
  • Page 24, Shop Signs and Ornamental Ironwork (1): Fences, gates, shop signs, and so forth.
  • Page 25, Shop Signs and Ornamental Ironwork (2): More shop signs and ornamental iron.
  • Page 26, Domes (1): Views of round roofs and cupolas, including large domes.
  • Page 27, Domes (2): Views of domes and cupolas, including some spires, interior and exterior.
  • Page 28, Windows (1): A page of interesting windows.
  • Page 29, Windows (2): Another page showing windows.
  • Page 30, Windows (3): A page of windows, mostly stained glass windows.
  • Page 31, Windows (4): More windows.
  • Page 32, Jewels and Ornaments (1): Jewels and ornaments.
  • Page 33, Jewels and Ornaments (2): More jewels and ornaments and decorative things.
  • Page 34, Statues (1): A page full of picture of statues and sculptures.
  • Page 35, Statues (2): More statues and sculptures.
  • Page 36, Water features and water (1): Pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and so forth.
  • Page 37, Water features and water (2): Beaches, lakes, rivers, cascades, and so forth.
  • Page 38, Faucets, Fountains, and Spigots (1): Mostly fountains.
  • Page 39, Faucets, Fountains, and Spigots (2): Fountains and spigots or faucets.
  • Page 40, Furniture (1): A page of interesting furniture.
  • Page 41, Furniture (2): More examples of interesting furniture.
  • Page 42, Palaces (1): A page with photos of palaces.
  • Page 43, Palaces (2): More palaces.
  • Page 44, Animals and zoos (1): Pictures of animals and scenes in zoos.
  • Page 45, Animals and zoos (2): More images of animals and zoos.