On our second morning in Europe we got up late. And by late I mean 11 AM after 14 hours of sleep. We all needed it and after a day of hiking we need it again.

We started the day by walking across the street to the tram and riding to the top of the mountain. Or should I say to the top of one of the mountains surrounding us. At the top we watched paragliders taking off and listened to the not so distant cow bells. The mountains are all used as pasture lands in the summer so you find cows and sheep everywhere.

The hike back down to the base was spectacular with caves, dropoffs and restaurants hanging on the edge of cliffs. There was also a sign recommending keeping your children roped in at all times. I was expecting the worst but all the trails are well maintained with handrails in the steepest sections. We kept 3rd M close at all times but luckily he is as sure-footed as his dad.

At the bottom of the steepest section of the trail was a high alpine lake with 2 guest houses where we had a late lunch. Then another hike down a steep road back to our hotel where we watched the paragliders land.

For dinner we headed down the road a short distance to Appenzell Town. Our dinner consisted mostly of the local cheese Appenzeller and 1st M sampled the local beer.

So why are the Swiss Alps a mountain junkies delight? Hopefully some of those reasons are apparent above but the access to the peaks is nothing like anywhere I have been before. The mountains are very rugged but the trails are well marked, maintained and used. There seems to be no limit to activities and the people are very friendly. I would love to come back in the winter to ski. We have not met very many people that speak English and I am not sure if that is a positive or negative thing. We have not had too many problems getting around so in my book it is not a bad thing.