Thursday, July 31, 2014

July 31: The End of the Road

... and the end of the blog, for now. It's been a long journey: One new car, two new bikes, 4 1/2 months, 9 countries, 11,000+ miles, 7,000+ photos, and countless memories shared with family, friends, and all of you. All in all, a terrific trip, but we are ready to come home!
Back where it all began: Volvo Factory Delivery Center, Göteborg, Sweden

July 30: Family Goodbyes

Tusen takk!  
We'll see you all again in December.



July 29: Summer Panoramas

Afternoon on the lake
Morning on the ferry
Welcome to Sweden

Sunday, July 27, 2014

July 28: Pure Norsk


July 27: Rockin' Summer Nights

Long summer days and warm summer nights = the perfect combination for enjoying live music in the great outdoors at the Kjerringvik Music Festival. 
The stage is set up along the rocky waterfront
Light show at twilight
Smoke machine worthy of "Spinal Tap"
Headliners "DeLillos" finally hit the stage after 11pm
DeLillos frontman Lars Lillo Stenberg entertained the fans for over two hours
Sunset over the stage, Kjerringvik Festival, Sandefjord

July 26: The Approaching Storm



July 25: Cabin Days

Between rain showers at the cabin in Vinstra
The sheep don't mind the rain, but they prefer to drink fresh water from the pump.

July 24: Backroads Bicycling in Gudbrandsdalen

The road to Skåbu
Peddling through Gudbrandsdalen farm country
Wildlife warnings, but no wildlife

July 23: Dinner with Friends

Amund at the grill
The gang relaxing on the deck
Chili (the dog), chilling
With old friends, the conversation never ends

July 22: Lazy Summer Days

Taking the plunge in the fjord
Our "private" beach 
Watch out for slippery rocks
Ahoy!
Just like the Vikings did it!

July 21: Room with a View, Norway style


At the McAdam/Eriksen cabin, Østerøya, Sandefjord

Sunday, July 20, 2014

July 20: The Family Tree

From two sisters...
Ragnhild and Ingeborg Holmstul
...sprouted many branches:
Holmstul family reunion, Bø, Telemark, Norway
Pouring over the family archives
Still some questions about who's who
But this one, even I recognized! 




Saturday, July 19, 2014

July 19: Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Remembering Ragnvald Holmstul, 1921-2014:

"Will the circle be unbroken...
By and by Lord, by and by...
There's a better home awaiting...
In the sky Lord, in the sky."




Friday, July 18, 2014

July 18: Waterfalls in the Rain

At the Vøringfossen overlook, Eidfjord
Flowers in the mist, Vøringfossen
Løtefossen's twin waterfalls pass under the highway, in the Odda Valley
Running from the rain and the spray

July 17: Riding the Rails

Our three-day hiking trek was completed by train connections at either end of the loop.

Bags packed, waiting at the Geilo station to catch the Oslo-Bergen line.
More than a few other trekkers have the same idea: Setting off from Finse.
Riding the Flåmsbana train from Flåm to Myrdal
Somewhere, under the rainbow...
Obligatory photo stop along the Flåm-Myrdal train line.
I see that train a-comin'... One more connection before heading home.



Thursday, July 17, 2014

July 16: Aurlandsdalen: Norway's Grand Canyon

The Aurland Valley is billed as "Norway's Grand Canyon," but it reminds me more of a Nordic Hawaii, lush with greenery and waterfalls. Our hike descended along the river's path, through a narrow rocky gorge, past abandoned farms, all the way down to sea level.