Sunday, June 18, 2017 - This Beautiful Country Called Norway

June 18, 2017

Sorry folks for not blogging much these past several days but we've done a great deal of driving ever since we left Sweden.  Long days - sometimes 6 - 8 hours of driving.  So instead of posting each day, I thought it best to simply do one post with views of Norway. 

We didn't realize upon coming to this gorgeous country  the magnitude of their mountains.  They are not like the Rockies or the Blue Ridge or the Appalachians or the Allegheny Mountains in the U.S.  Of course, those are magnificent in their own very unique way and we are very lucky to have a diverse habitat to live in the U.S.  But here in Norway, the entire county (or so that which we have driven) is made up of mountains and fjords and waterfalls and rivers and tunnels and quiet villages like that of no other place I've ever seen or heard about.  Perhaps I am biased simply for the fact that half of John's heritage and half of my heritage are from this lovely place.  Growing up I heard all about my Norwegian roots, where I come from, the heritage, the customs and traditions.  Heck, I was even taught how to do rosemaling in several different styles.  I cherish that which I've been taught and the stories that I grew up hearing time and time again.  They are a part of where I came from and to me, it is very important to know your family, your heritage.  It speaks of one's character and perhaps the reasons for so many different avenues in the course of one's life.   

With all of that said, I simply want to share with you that beauty which is Norway  as John and I have seen through our windshield and throough our camera lenses.  :)

There is a story behind these next two photos.  As most of you know me, my maiden last name is "Bjorgum."  On our way to Lysebotn, our GPS failed to tell us to turn.  I notice the screen indicated we were to make a turn, but the voice command did not say anything.  Cussing "her" out for failing to say anything, John has to go a bit out of the way in order to turn around.  HOWEVER, in the process of finding a safe place to turn around, we drove passed the first sign below and I shouted, "Oh my god, that's my name!"  John had no idea what I was talking about until he saw the sign.  We thought it would be a neat idea to check out the town as it was only 2 km away.  We turned down the road and came to a "t" intersection where the sign said it was then 13 km.  We decided it was too far to risk driving to see where we would end up, but it was certainly a surprise to know there is a town with my surname - something I never knew before and had it not been for our GPS's mistake, we would not have seen this.  :)

That has been part of the past  three days for us.  There is so much more that I did not past yet, but will be in the next day or so. Stay tuned!  Thanks for stopping by!