Norway 2017: Fall along the Fjord

According to the travel brochures, the Nærøyfjord is "the most spectacular arm of the Sognefjord and the narrowest fjord in the world, at one point only 250 metres wide, with mountains towering more than a thousand metres above its tranquil waters." In other words, get out your cameras!

Looking back at the narrowest section of the "Narrow Fjord"

Dave and Jeannine focus on one of the larger waterfalls in the narrows.

On the ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen

Paparazzi everywhere!

More waterfalls

Small town near Gudvangen

Soaking in the sunshine and the view

Norway 2017: Riding The Rallarvegen

From Bergen, we took the train to Myrdal, elev. 865 meters, where fall colors were in full display. From there, we rented mountain bikes and rode the Rallarvegen, a 20 km dirt road winding from the mountaintops down to the fjord.

Even though the sun was shining, we had to bundle up against the chilly mountain air

The waterfalls were nothing short of spectacular 

The first of dozens of hairpin switchbacks tested our bike-handling skills.

The road eventually leveled off at the valley floor, soon arriving in Flåm

All smiles at the end of the day,
we boarded the Flåmsbana train and retraced our route back up to Myrdal.

The view from the train provided a different perspective of the valley

Here are just a few of the many hairpin turns on the bike trail that we navigated down the mountain

The train winds its way back up the valley via several tunnels and hairpin curves

The Kjofossen waterfalls, which flows underneath the railway tracks,
is a popular stop along the Flåmsbana railway

Obligatory selfie in front of the Kjofossen waterfalls

Norway 2017: Bergen Finals and Farewells

The final event of the World Cycling Championships was the grueling 267km Elite Men's race. Fans of all nationalities lined the streets of Bergen, but the hometown crowd was clearly hoping for a Norwegian victory.

The Norwegian team looked strong from the start

Fans waited intently for each passing of the peloton

Norwegian sprinter Alexander Kristoff was ultimately denied victory in a photo finish 

Here is the reigning world champion, Peter Sagan, mid-way through the race,
 on route to his third consecutive title 

Although there can only be one winner, a big congratulations goes out to all the athletes for their efforts

Goodnight from Bergen Bryggen

Norway 2017: Bergen World Cycling Championships, Day Two

In Bergen, they have a saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather; only bad clothing." The past two days were no exception, as we trotted out the umbrellas and rain gear while watching the 2017 World Cycling Championships which is taking place on the streets of this picturesque harbor city.

Two of the Norwegian team favorites,
Alexander Kristoff and Edvald Boasson Hagen, are covered head to toes
as they practice on the course prior to Sunday's big race.

Here are the Women's Junior racers
 pushing there way along the wet and windy Bergen waterfront.

A little rain won't stop the racers or their crazy Viking fans.

What was that saying again about "bad clothing"?!

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Norway 2017: At Bergen for the World Cycling Championships

After 6 days/5 nights on the Hurtigruten, the gang's all here and happy to be on solid (if rainy!) ground again, in Bergen for the UCI World Championships. Today's event: the Elite Men's Time Trial, won handily by Giro d'Italia victor Tom Dumoulin.

The gang's all here!
Photo compliments of the Shimano photo booth by the Start/Finish line.

Here is the eventual winner, Tom Dumoulin, gritting his teeth and about to begin the final climb.

If you go to Bergen, it's probably going to rain. So bring your umbrella!

Norway 2017: Last Day on the Hurtigruten

On our fifth and final day on the Hurtigruten, we enjoyed smooth sailing and sunny skies, with brief stops at Trondheim, Kristiansund, and Molde.

Clearing skies at last!

Taking shelter from the chilly wind

Awaiting the sunset before Bergen

Last chance for a photo opp

Holly capturing the fading light

Empty deck chairs at sunset

Southbound wake at sundown

Norway 2017: Trondheim Impressions

The ferry made an early morning stop in Trondheim, a very picturesque city with a history dating back to the Vikings era. We only had a couple of hours to visit there, but were able to stroll around and explore the old warehouses and churches in the heart of the city.

Memorial on the Old Town Bridge

Warehouses along the Nidelva River

The Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge)

Cobbled street in old town Trondheim

Old boats along the quai

Nidaros Cathedral

Norway 2017: Continuing Southbound Across the Arctic Circle

Day three on the Hurtigruten brought more low clouds (i.e., rain and fog) as we made our way along the Lofoten Islands and back south of the Arctic Circle. Will have to return someday to see the legendary mountains. Still, no shortage of photo opportunities (if you don't like the weather, wait...)

Entering the Trollfjord in the fog

Photographers line the bow, hoping for a break in the clouds

Low clouds block the view in the legendary Troll Fjord

Globe marks the spot where we passed the Arctic Circle 

Free champagne for crossing the Arctic Circle? Not on the Hurtigruten.
But they did provide free cod liver oil! 

A rainbow signals better weather ahead