Isaac's birthday was our fourth day in Switzerland. We took up a suggestion from Peter Schaeffer, (an ag economist from WVU who did a sabbatical here a few years ago with ETH and in fact lived in the same apartment building with his family) and made a day out of going to Castle Kyberg (built in 1570) and had our first hike from the castle back to a small village where we caught the bus. Thank you Peter for a great suggestion! Pictures: The castle (featuring Isaac's arm in the foreground); an impressive collection of all kinds of armor; the sword collection (the small dagger dates back to 1100's); Elena contemplates the "iron maiden" (a purported torture instrument that sliced the body with blades, but historians now think it's a hoax that originated in the 1850s); Elliot the knight to the rescue.
After the castle visit we hiked through the small village next to the castle and across the countryside in search of a secret ice cream cafe that Elena had read about in a secret message inscribed behind a secret door in the castle (i.e., incentive for hiking), which we found a few kilometers later in another nearby village.
Above: more fresh water from the Swiss fountains, but this time the boys use it for more than just drinking.
After the hike we came home and celebrated the birthday some more with a Schwartzwaelde Torte and opening presents. Thank you Grandma and Papa and Sally and family for the cards and gifts!
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