The "Beach" at the Lake: Mythenquai

We recently went to a beautiful "beach" on Lake Zurich, called Stranbad Mythenquai. Our friend Nicole, who is Spring's girlfriend (one of Michael's teammates) told us about it, and I'm so thankful she did! It's just a ways down from our favorite lakeside park, Arboretum. I wish we had known about it in 2006, because that summer was consistently warm and sunny, and I think we would've been there quite often! This summer though, has been unseasonably cool and rainy, with random days of sunshine scattered amidst the constant showers that keep Zurich so green, so we have not been able to take advantage of outdoor swimming facilities as much as we'd like. Mythenquai is a huge park on the lake with a restaurant, baby pool, playground, acres of grass for lounging, picnic tables, and water accessories such as trampolines and diving boards. There are also really clean facilities where you can shower and change before going home.

We had been waiting for a hot enough day to swim at the lake, which is pretty cold, and we finally had a perfect day to go! We bought Jakey a wetsuit after our first outdoor swimming experience here, which he looks pretty adorable in, like a little blonde surfer boy. The humorous event was being forced to purchase floaties for Jake to wear on his arms, which they required if he went into the lake. I have never put them on Jake before because one of my besties, Tracy, a seasoned swim coach, cautioned that they inhibit kids' abilities to appropriately use their arms when learning to swim like Jake is. I have seen kids here that are way to old to be wearing them, but in true Swiss nature, I'm sure it's just an added precaution. Soooo, we were not thrilled about having to buy floaties...and are you ready for what they cost...20 francs, which is nearly $25!!! (Zurich is extremely expensive, the 7th most expensive city in the world!) Needless to say, I was really missing good ole' Target right then, especially because Jake won't wear these at home! He hated having them on in the water, but the funny thing was he liked wearing them on land, go figure! Anyway, the water was really cool and refreshing, and we had a great day swimming and playing. There were tons of families there and as usual, Jake had no problem playing on the playground with kids he didn't know-- I think "play" is a universal language that all kids speak! I really hope we have some hot, sunny days before heading back to Texas so that we can go back to Mythenquai again over the next two weeks...SO FUN!!

Looking towards the city

Docks & Diving Boards

Testing the water...

 View of the Alps

Our spot in the grass

Edging themselves in, bit by bit!

View of Mythenquai from boatcruise

Jakey on the train in his wetsuit for swimming

One thing is for certain; rain or shine, Lake Zurich and the breathtaking Alps that surround it NEVER disappoint us in their beauty! Downtown is such a beautiful area, with the lake, river and mountains all playing off of each other. It's such a blessing while living here this summer to see the amazing views every week and I will surely miss them when we go home!!


Psalm 95:1‑7 "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God..."