Glocken Shop


One of our favorite things about hiking in the Alps is to hear the cow, goat and sheep bells as we hike and so in our first year here we decided to start a cow bell collection. We have enjoyed checking out the bells at different places we've hiked or visited.

When Justin and MarDell were here we spent one day in Engelberg watching the cows make their trek through town on their way down from the high pasture land. (Oops! I just realized that I haven't written those posts yet!! Guess I better get busy!) On our drive up to Engelberg we drove passed what appeared to be a wonderful bell shop, but we didn't want to stop then and miss any of the Alpsfahrt. On the way back, we missed the shop. However two weekends ago we again went to Engelberg to hike we found the shop again and stopped by on our way back home. However, it was closed at this time, but we found a website on the door and took a photo so that we could remember the address. There was contact information on the website So I emailed and found out what hours the shop was open.

Saturday arrived and it appeared that the weather might be good down in the Engelberg area again, so we drove down and this time stopped in the shop on our way hiking. One thing that we had seen in the shop window had been bells, painted black that were painted on. Ah ha! What a perfect canvas for Bob to paint one of the scenes from one of our hikes. After we chose the bells and the straps, Herr Mathis took us over to his shop to fasten the straps in place on the bell with pieces of leather.It was then that we realized that Herr Mathis embroidered the decoration on the straps. There was another large strap in the process of being embroidered. We had the camera in the car and Bob asked permission to take his photograph as he was attaching the strap. Wonder how often he's had that happen??? After we move back to the states and Bob works his magic on the bell, you'll be sure to see the final product here. Stay tuned.

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