The Swiss Family Bossart-Schwager

Friday Evening, June 26, 2015

We caught a train to Kussnacht am Rigi. My cousin Monika met our train and drove us to her home to meet her partner Martin and son Nicola. It was wonderful to sit on her balcony with a view of the green hills while enjoying an Apéro.

We then left to meet the rest of the family and enjoyed an outdoor dinner at the restaurant Rössli. We had not seen the family for about 15 years. So lets start at the beginning:

The Julius Schwager family circa 1940.

Aunt Erika is on the far right, with my father standing next to and behind her.

My father is the little guy at the far left – not wearing a girl’s outfit.

My father at the far left.

Now fast forwarding to today:

Aunt Erika, today- a spry 87 years old.

Aunt Erika and Uncle Franz.

The family – Roselie is taking the photo.

Going from left to right, next to me is my cousin Daniel, Ruth’s husband Fabian, Uncle Franz, my cousin Monika, Monika’s son Nicola, Aunt Erika, my cousin Ruth behind my Aunt, and of course Gregory and Mitchell.  Following are photos of the evening.

Enjoying a quiet time on Monika’s and Martin’s porch.

The cool patrol, walking to dinner.

Dining in Kussnacht am Rigi.

After dinner we moved to Aunt Erika’s and Uncle Franz’s home for some homemade cake and coffee.

Martin and Monika

Nickola with Martin, Monika and Aunt Erika.

My cousin Ruth.

Ruth and Fabian

Aunt Erika brought out some old photos of my father.

Cousin Daniel

Roselie demonstrating a Swiss dance move.

Uncle Franz showing Gregory and Mitchell how he climbed Chamonix Mont Blanc.

Uncle Franz’s trophy room.

Uncle Franz has a passion for climbing mountains.  His favorite mountain, Rigi, is just in his backyard and he climbed it often.  Now 89 years old, he stopped climbing about 4 years ago.  He has many ascensions to his credit including Chamonix Mont Blanc. Even with the language barrier, he demonstrated how he and one friend climbed the mountains, and showed the boys a photograph of Mont Blanc and the line he took to get to the top.  Gregory and Mitchell are in awe and ready to sign up to go for it.

A great ending to a wonderful family get-together, and a fitting end to our Swiss Adventure.