A pleasant morning as we headed south on Geirangervegen.We walked around the tundra area with the lush green mosses and interesting rocks.We are at around 1,000 meters (that is 3,280 feet above the fjord).We are in the mountains now!We thought this area was picturesque.We took the toll road up to the Dalsnibba Sky Walk at 4,920 feet.Very dramatic to look out across to the glaciers……and to look back at Geiranger Fjord. I feel like an eagle.The Heillstuguvatnet Lake on the Gamle Strynefjellsvegen – another scenic national tourist route!The sun played peek a boo – it seemed to be snowing on the mountains! We enjoyed the fall colors and managed to hit pretty much every pot hole on the gravel road – ha!A rapid on the way to Hjelledalen Falls shows the glacial color of the water.Our cabin for the next few nights is this one on Lake Strynevatnet at Mindresunde Camping – our base to explore some glaciers in Jostedalsbreen National Park.
The first snow on the mountains for the season or so we learned from the locals from this top at Eidsvatnet Lake.Eidsvatnet Lake was a pleasant stop before winding our way up that valley.We stopped at the Ornevegen Viewpoint to get our first view of Geiranger fjord.It is at the top of these switchbacks!One of the most beautiful fjords, a UNESCO world heritage site!There were 2 cruise ships and many tour buses in town so lots of people. A couple from New Zealand chatted with us and offered to take a photo.This adorable cabin is where we are going to spend the next few nights – the very tranquil Hole Hytter.Henry enjoying the view from our cabin at Hole HytterIt is an amazing view from the dining table as well.Norway’s first National Tourist Trail is a dramatic walk/stairway from town to the Norwegian Fjord Centre following this waterfall.Geiranger fjord is part of a UNESCO world heritage site to protect the Western Fjords of Norway. It is a very special area of the world with this interesting museum to learn more.The fresh cinnamon buns were delicious!!!!This model of the Seven Sisters Waterfall, which is 1,350′ tall, shows how deep the fjords are – about 800′ under water.We took the 20km ferry round trip to Hellesyit to experience being on the water and seeing the entire fjord.The Seven Sisters Falls were impressive.As were the falls on the other side of the fjord.We even saw some kayakers – they might have been warmer than us.But we got a bit of sunshine and enjoyed seeing the entire Geiranger fjord!The Queens Chair at the Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint was put in by Queen Sonja so we could all experience the majestic beauty of her country.
A beautiful morning as we daytripped from our cabin in Sjoholt and crossed the Storfjoden to Sykkylven.Sykkylven is where the Ekornes furniture is manufactured and this was our motivation to visit this Norwegian fjord. A pleasant community in a stunning location.The Ekornes Stressless chairs we ordered in March and while we waited 4 months for them to cross the ocean we decided it was time to take our first trip to Norway!We took another ferry across Hjorundjorden to explore that peninsula.One of the beautiful Sunmore Alps as the fall colors are highlighted with a bit of sunshine.Further inland a storm is brewing on the Hjorundjorden.There is almost no sense of scale but you can see a ship silhouetted.Spectacular!Some of our exploring was a bit wet but we were rewarded with this rainbow on our return to the cabin.
Alesund – view of this beautiful town from Mount Aksla.Reflection of the Art Nouveau buildings of Alesund. The town was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1904.We enjoyed a walk along the waterfront/inland canal in Alesund.We saw this crest several times showing the strong connection this town has to the North Atlantic or Norwegian Sea.We traveled the time machine and toured the The Art Nouveau and KOBE museums.Detail of the well preserved building with slate tile roofs. The town reconstruction employed a lot of different trades throughout Norway.This is a bold claim! For our lunch: the cod was thick, succulent, fresh, with a light fried battered just right – it is a contender. Definitely the best in the world we had today!All wine/alcohol must be purchased at this government run entity: Vinmonopolet (located in many towns)Wine O’Clock around the world: Spain, Italy, France, Australia! Wynn’s was rated the best buy in Norway under 200kr (under $20) so worth a try.Many of the islands are connected to Alesund by tunnels under the sea and through the mountains. Our destination was the island of Godoy to see the Alnes Lighthouse.Speaking of tunnels: A future project is in the works for Norway: Stad Ship Tunnel. It will accommodate 4 ships/ferry an hour for a safe passage through Stadhavet Sea.Catch a wave: Hang Ten on the North Atlantic!
As Norse legend tells it, the first rays of sunlight can turn the mythical trolls into stone (if they don’t hide in time!) so we will explore where trolls have been in the mountains.Our first stop was at the Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge.The Valldøla River has cut large potholes and intricate formations into the rock.Another interesting viewing area with fun art/architecture to experience the Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge.Sign outside the Gudbrandsjuvet: the cinnamon buns were awesome! Still warm from the oven they fortified us for the troll search.From the Trollstigen plateau, rising above the Isterdalen Valley are the three peaks: Bishop, King, Queen (Bispen, Kongen, Dronninga). which led us to debate if the bishop or queen had the most power…We passed over the glacial moraines with some snow still left in the upper valleys (where the trolls live?). We arrived at the Trollstigen Visitor Center.The Trollstigen cafe is undergoing repairs from an avalanche this winter but we could still appreciate the design and the location.We followed the water cascading to the first Viewpoint.We detoured from the paved path to follow these Sherpa stairs 1km for a private view point.What a stairmaster!Great view of the valley!And we were able to see the next cantilevered Trollstigen Viewpoint.And a take my picture balcony with The Bishop and The Queen.The Trolls Ladder (mostly one-lane) was completed in 1936 after 8 years – an engineering marvel. Imagine working in this valley carved out by the glacier, roaring rivers and multiple waterfalls!A better view of the waterfall through the vertigo inducing glass railing.An offer to take our picture resulted in this fun shot pointing to the future!Our GPS pretty much shows the same curves we have just photographed on this one-lane road. We are here in the morning so have missed dodging the tour buses.Ready or Not. We will probably regenerate many kilometers on the battery of our EV.At the end of the valley is another Troll spot: Trollveggen Visitor Center. We recharged the car while we ate a picnic lunch in this beautiful setting (cafe closed for the season).Europe’s highest vertical mountain wall has several climbing routes.We could browse for a book in this converted telephone booth lending library.Ramsdalen Valley: the route following the River Rauma has been named Europe’s most beautiful railway line. Filmed around here is the latest Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One
Our first ferry crossings are west of Molde to explore the islands – the Dryna Ferry.And we crossed some more beautiful bridges like this Skjeltene Bridge.More marshmallow farms on an inland lake on our drive south to Sjøholt.And our first glimpses of the majestic fjords: the Storfjorden.Our apartment for the next 5 nights is the top floor with a beautiful deck that has a view of the fjord and our own gazebo. Sjøholt CampingThe beach area is a short walk away to enjoy the fjord.We climbed up the rock and were surprised to find a diving board. Summer fun! That is Sjøholt village across the fjord.Sunset on the Storfjorden from Sjøholt.Nearby Romsdalsfjorden is just as green and lush.We had a gorgeous day to explore Andalsnes on the Romsdalsfjorden.There is even a happy and proud Norwegian troll in Andalsnes.Luckily we are not driving this single person EV! But would be better than an electric bike in the winter!Maybe you could charge it here!We recharged ourselves with ice cream in a waffle cone on the public square with others enjoying the summer sunshine and warm temps.And sunbathed along the Romsdalsfjorden before heading back to our own fjord.
What is this? A robot Mowing the lawn? No noise! No sweat – lawn is mowed while you do something else – like prep the BBQ.This Robot Mower is making such perfect straight lines up the hill.This Robot Mower has his own garage… Very sporty looking!Captcha: I am not a RobotFish Farm in the fjord around Avory Island- this a permanent operation.Another Fish Farm in this beautiful fjord.This ship appears to be stocking fish going down that slide in the center into an enclosed circle.An interesting flower or jelly fish in the kelp beds along the Atlantic Ocean Road.The deer we have seen seem smaller.Kvernes Stave Church, circa 1633, is the only one in Norway built after the Middle Ages and Reformation – the nave end is built in stave technique.This says the supporting posts are called staves and are in each corner. Larger churches also have supporting posts in the wall line as shown by the circles in the plan.The shutters to protect the windows from the sea slide up and down with a chain.The thick wood boards on the siding are overlapped.Simple cottage on the coast.
The tranquil fishing village of Bud is on the North Atlantic Sea – specifically on the notoriously dangerous Hystadvida unprotected section of the coast – but not today.We are enjoying 4 nights in this wonderful house on a harbor.From the hill above the house you can get a sense of it’s location – the main living space is on the middle floor – lowest level has a dining table to seat 10 and opens on to a deck.Waiting on a chair carved into the stump – what a view!There is a coastal museum on top of the hill with local history and great views! if you want to view the coast of Bud, they have a live Camera on their webpage.About 1.5 km north of Bud, Kjeksa is the first rest stop on the Atlantic Ocean Road, one of Norway’s tourist routes.Askevågen is another stop to enjoy the views and see some wave action on the Atlantic Ocean Road.We did not know they farmed Marshmallows!The Farstadsanden Beach has a nature hike to the lighthouse – beautiful day and the tide is just coming in.The cantilevered Storseisundet Bridge defies gravity. Graceful and feels like you are driving into the sky as you go up.Several viewpoints to enjoy the Storseisundet Bridge.And even an elevated hiking path around Eldhusøya island to appreciate nature as well as the Storseisundet Bridge.We stopped at the Geitøya area for a picnic lunch.It smells good and looks good at the Geitøya rest area on the Atlantic ocean Road. (purple heather and European mountain ash with red berry clusters against moss and sedums)We are seeing a lot of these and wondering what they are….Lots of picturesque spots in Bud! And MIX restaurant has good fish and chips – even tho the Norwegians go for the hamburgers!
