Today was targeted as a kids fun day, so we looked at the options and decided on a trip up one of the lower mountains - Sunnegga to a small play area and lake, that doubles as a learners ski area in winter. The trip up was a bit different to any others we'd been on - it was a short ride, only 4 minutes but all inside the mountain. The Swiss are so good at tunneling, we guesstimated the incline was about 22 degrees - with the train built to the angle so you sat horizontally.

Blue skies awaited us above at the small mountain lake (more like a really large pond). With a little raft on the lake, and the opportunity to catch tadpoles, frogs and some very large crickets there was plenty of fun to be had. Warm and sunny enough for the kids to get wet and for us to get the sunscreen out. We had our picnic lunch enjoying the peace and the views and looking for Marmots. Flighty little creatures a bit like squirrels, this was their territory and Sarah and April were lucky enough to spot some but they disappeared at the slightest noise so it was a bit challenging - certainly no opportunity for photo's. Scott found some seeds for them and put them by the rocks they must have liked them as they were all gone the next time he checked - but no sign of what took them.

The other reason we had chosen this location was the thrill of the descent - intend of walking or catching the train back down we were able to hire Kickbikes to travel the 9km downhill back to the village. Kickbikes have a platform to stand on like a skateboard but bike size tires and handlebars. A lot of fun and enjoyment was had - though Scott thought that having to stop lots to wait for Mum to catch up was a bit tiresome (they had to wait for Dad a few times too!).

A walk around the Matterhorn museum, finished off the afternoon with some interesting history - the opportunity to see the rope that broke in the first ascent, leading to the death of 3 climbers, and an inspiring story of a local guide that ascended the Matterhorn 370 times - his last summit at the age of 90. Funny to see a pair of climbing boots the same as Darryl has in an exhibit of the history mountain climbing boots (and not the most recent example) - you know you're getting old when your equipment starts turning up in museums!!
We'd walked around the climbers cemetery beside the museum yesterday, many of the memorials for young men in their early 20's that managed to summit but didn't make it back down - quite a few foreigners, and a general memorial for those that haven't been individually recognised. A fitting reminder of the risk of mountaineering, that must be balanced with the desire to conquer these inspiring mountains.

April: Awesome ride, wish we could go again. Scott: The scooters were cool. I saw a frog today and I caught it. Sarah: The road was bumpy going down on the scooters, but it was fun.