Hi from Alpnach, Switzerland

Hi everyone, hope yzou are all well.
We arrived in Interlaken yesterday about 5 p.m. We took back roads from Bern to Interlaken and it was gorgous. We picked up our rent a car in Bern and by the time we walked to the place, got the car, and drove back and picked up the luggage and headed out of town it took us a hour. It went easy but we were very careful as there were a lot of one way streets not marked. We headed north and went and saw the Swiss Temple. It was beautiful but smaller than we expected. From there we headed south toward Interlaken and decided to get off the main highways and enjoy the backroads. It was cool to drive through what I would call villages and twice we stopped to visit castles. The first one was in the town of Thun south of Bern and the castle was built in the 1100s. It was barren and cold and huge. It was fun to walk up and climb up to the turrets for the incredible views. From Thun you can see the beginning of the two lakes that make up the Interlaken area. Then we drove some more and saw the Oberhofen Castle. This one was built in the 1600s and a lot more opulent with expensive furnishings, paintings, wood carved paneled walls and armor with spears everywhere. Plus gardens galore. Even now with the trees turning and its really cold, there are flowers everywhere especially geraniums.
Finally, we got to Interlaken, its a tourist town but we are discovering that one big advantage to being here when the dollar is so miserable to the Euro is that all the tourists are staying home or visiting South America where the dollar is worth more. Therefore, we dont have crowds and the roads are empty of cars. Its great.
We really thought we would find more Swiss food restaurants but all we see are Italian, Chinese, and McDonalds. But they have good food. We did Italian last night and it was good.
We are finding hotels fine in Switzerland and wow is this country clean. All the bathrooms even the public ones are spotless. The streets are clean, you hardly see garbage cans and everything is very pristine and Craig wants me to mention how great the toilets flush. Last night if you were sitting down when you flushed, there is so much water, your backside would get a full bath. He was too chicken to try it, but he thought it was great.
Today we arrived in Alpnach. This is where Stans dad was born. With the help of a couple of pictures we found what we thought was his dads farm house and we met the people there and found it was the house of his aunt and uncle and the 89 year old resident was his first cousin. There was a son and daughter in law there who spoke English and we had a great visit. Up the mountainside from the valley we finally found the house that Stans dad was born in and the view from up there was spectacular.
We got hungry at 5 p.m. and none of the restaurants open until 6 p.m. So we finally found one that opened earlier and it was Mexican food that was really good.
When we were in Bern the driving required a little more concentration but once you got out on the highways and backroads, its very much like home, except the roundabouts. Although we love them as they make navigating changes easier, although when you cant read the road signs all the time we have been known to circle the roundabouts a few times till we make up our minds which way to go.
Its raining here and very cold. You can see snow in the surrounding mountains. But we hope to take a cool tram and boat ride tomorrow up to the peak and surrounding mountains called Pilatus. Hope the weather cooperates.
We miss you and hope all is well. love to all of you from all of us.