We just had a celebration at our house. Over 3 states, 3 moves, and 3 orthodontist clinics my son finally had his braces removed from his teeth! It’s interesting how blubberling-ly sentimental I can be at times like these.
I have one thrilled 14 year old. Over the years of appointments, we developed a routine to each visit. Often, the drive to the ortho’s office and back was filled with conversation from him. I find that if I get my son in the car, this quiet pensive boy can turn into quite the chatter box.
We often had conversations about all of the sticky, gooey, wire-bending foods that I would fix for him when those braces finally came off. Through band tightening and twisting, our eyes were on the distant prize…that crazily illegal treat that loomed at the end of this journey. Appointments were often followed by a drive-thru for a cold soft smoothie but that was just a pacifier for the ultimate prize.
I’m not sure who was more excited when the day finally arrived. When your kids are teenagers, there aren’t many opportunities when they want to be caught walking around chomping on caramel apples looking like little tots.
But…Braces were coming OFF. This situation justified all immature acts of non-teen-like behavior. Sticky squares of gooey caramel patiently lumped next to fresh apples waiting for the signal to be “ON”.
We slurped. We chewed. We bit ferociously into these tantalizingly “illegal” braces treats. We were a mess. We were juicy and sticky and kind of grossed-out. But…what fun we had that afternoon.
We made sure to make one for Patrick. He instantly morphed into a kid when he came home from work and his eyes locked on his prize caramel apple.
This complete enjoyment of all child-like sweets brought back memories of our trip last year to Switzerland. Two stops on that trip were complete delights to my teen son. One, was a tour through a genuine medieval castle. I didn’t have a train kid, or a sports kid, or a dinosaur kid. I had a castle kid.
If you enjoyed my tour of the tiny little town of Yvoire from a few articles back, let’s continue on the leg of the journey through Switzerland that completely riveted my teen son, Riley.
As you follow the southern coast of Lake Geneva and begin curving around to the northern shores, there rests this enormous castle right on the outskirts of the town of Montreaux, Le Chateaux de Chillon.
Rooms filled with ominous weapons, creaky wooden chests, cold drafty stone staircases were perfect destination stops for my son. Scenes of the medieval time period could easily be imagined played out in this magnificent structure from the days of Robin Hood or King Arthur.
After spending hours at this historic castle, we were back on the road again, this time heading north through the most amazing country scenery we have ever seen. We bounced up and over hills, passed babbling brooks with quaint wooden covered bridges, and feasted our eyes on the lush scenery that unfolded before us.
We were now headed to “The Cailler Chocolate Factory” to complete this glorious day moving from King Arthur’s world to that of Willy Wonka.
The Cailler Chocolate Factory is right down the hillside from the adorable town of Gruyeres, Switzerland (future article coming!). What made this tour so much fun was the complete diversity of people from all over the world filing in through the lobby eagerly anticipating a chocolate-filled experience. Adults looked equally as eager as children. I know one adult here who had been dreaming of this day while planning this trip!
The chocolate tasting experience did not disappoint. At the end of the tour, two huge doors opened up into a room filled with tray after tray of chocolates. Everyone shuffled in slowly, trying not to look entirely glutinous as our eyes widened, jaws hung open and taste buds anticipated the bites of luscious chocolate.
Did you know the human body can only eat so much chocolate? I though sure I would glide through that room munching giddily from each and every tray without missing a one. Nope. There was one problem. There was NO MILK!! Sadly, many trays were left untouched as our quest for milk won over our glutinous desires.
I hate to admit it. But, in all honesty, visiting a real life castle and plucking chocolate after chocolate at the Cailler Chocolate Factory just might be the fondest memory from that trip…of adults and kids alike.
We slurped some more on our caramel apples. We became sticky messes but the last time we remembered being this childishly delighted was on that gorgeously crisp fall day in that most beautiful of countries, Switzerland.
How to Make Caramel Apples
Great chocolate have the Swiss.Remember when Iwas little my father us eto travel a lot and he would bring chocolate truffles from Zuerich.We always looked forward for hsi return.And caramelized apple I love them shiny and red;)
Sarah what a beautiful post! The scenery, the castle, the chocolate, the caramel!!!
I just relinked a post of mine on dark rum caramel sauce and apples, ironically.
I love caramel anything!
How gorgeous. I have always thought caramel apples are the whole package – sinful, yet healthy too! do you know what I mean? yay!
T xx
Beautiful story, gorgeous photos and one happy family!
Lusciously elegant apple! It's creamy coating makes me starve for the gooey caramel.
I LOVE your caramel apples! i want one right now
I can only imagine your son's joy and relief taking his first bite into that caramel apple. Sweet freedom! Good for him — I hope he enjoys many more chewy, crunchy, formerly forbidden treats in the days to come.
A truly lovely post! Your apples look awesome, I haven't made caramel apples in years!
Amazing story. I love the caramel apples and your son getting his braces off. Truly a milestone event. And your trip to Switzerland looks like it's right out of a fairy tale. There is nothing like taking your children on these trips when they are the right age. I remember taking my daughters when they were your son's age to England and their total delight in seeing Windsor Castle and Queen Mary's doll house. They still talk about it to this day!
Lovely, lovely. And, oh happy day for your son! Braces are such a pain, I know he's glad to be free of them.
What a fabulous idea! My daughter is getting excited as her braces are due to come off in within the next two visits. I think I'll definitely treat her to one of these
These sound amazing! I love your last photograph with the shadows…it's gorgeous!
I remember when I had braces… I ate them caramel apples anyways 😀 These look great.
Congratulations to your son on getting his braces off! Those are fabulous photos of your travels!
Such a perfect way to celebrate the coming-off-of-braces..and those perfectly aligned teeth!! And – I love your telling of your time in Switzerland – the combination of the castle and the chocolate. Life doesn't get any more perfect..does it??
We had a similar celebration in our home a few years ago. Fun memories! Your caramel apples looks scrumptious!
I love reliving your trips. This particular leg looks simply marvelous. I have been to Lindt but never Cailler, but have indulged on many many occasions – delicious. I think it's the chocolate that the Swiss actually eat most! And caramel apples – what a delicious messy treat. Congratulations to your son!! Always an momentous occasion!
Touring a chocolate shop would be in the running of best vacation items as well.
Your caramel apples look so very very good!
OOH….all that swiss chocolate. I don't know whether I should pack my bags or fix a dentist appt first! What a hoot – the braces come off and you fix caramel apples!!! I LOVE IT!!!
Excellent post – breathtaking pics as always.
chow
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
oh my gosh…. these photos make me think I should just lick the screen… thanks for sharing!
i want to visit that castle on the water.
That castle looks beautiful. I live in Switzerand (near Basel) and have never seen it before. Weird! I'll have to check it out before my work contract finishes and I have to head home. Thanks!
I have the biggest dorkiest smile on my face.
You live such a charmed life.