“Why Switzerland?” a number of our friends asked us when we told them we were travelling there this month. My wife told them, “I’ve always wanted to see the Alps.” And I told them, “My wife has always wanted to see the Alps!” Seriously, there are more reasons for the trip…

Kathy loves the outdoors, the trees, the mountains, and fresh smell of greenery in the air, and we were looking for a place in Europe to take our children and expose them to another part of the world before they headed off to college. I also had a few hundred thousand air miles ready to expire if I didn’t use them soon. So, after a year of planning, saving, and more planning, we packed up our two teenagers, and off to Zurich we flew on August 10.

Every parent has a different way of bonding with their children, I suppose. It all comes down to love and attention, and there is no substitute. But I have to say, a family trip together now and then, has always been a benefit for me in raising our son and daughter. With our busy daily lives, we are apart so much of the time. On a trip, we’re together 24 hours a day for several days in a row, and issues, thoughts, comments, observations, cares, and concerns surface in conversation and action that otherwise never make an appearance, or at least, not a well noticed one. I get to know my children better every time we travel together, and I believe they get to know me better too. The mutual experiences we share make for a closer, happier and healthier family. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a far away vacation to make this happen. A camping trip to the mountains works very well, or a day working on a major project in the yard, or building something together, and more have similar effects.

But regardless, on the 10th we were off to the airport at 5:15 a.m. ready for a big family adventure.

On the way to catch our first plane, we had our standard prayer-session that we always do when beginning a trip. We reminded ourselves that we travel in the omnipresence of Love, that God keeps us healthy and well every moment, that there is no danger wherever we go—only the safety and protection of divine Love in which we live and move and travel. We agreed to keep an understanding and cheerful attitude toward each other, to always look for the good, to not let any conflict or divisiveness stir between us, to support each other, look out for each other, and help each other have a wonderful time.

Our connections where very tight on the way over, but each flight arrived early, and the weather was excellent all the way. Our bags made it with us. Hooray! And we arrived at our designated hotel in great shape.

We’ve never stayed in a major metropolitan hotel before that had dairy cows grazing blissfully in a neighboring pasture. The dong-dong of the cow-bell on the head mistress of the handful of bovines was a delight to hear. And the lush greenery everywhere, combined with colorful flowers gracing yards, and balconies, walks and windowsills, were just the touch that promised the beginning of a wonderful adventure in the land of cheese and chocolate.

Our trip was off to a good start…

Bern, one of our first stops