I already posted once in July, about the night in the cabin, but there was much more going on! I have put up a lot of pictures to show the different events, and, of course will include some text to explain the pictures and tell some anecdotes.
It starts with the 4th of July!
Last year, I was in Madrid with Rick for the 4th of July and we really didn't do anything to celebrate. This year I wanted to make sure I got some serious Independence Day feelings, so I went a bit over the top. As I was going through my suitcases before I left DC, removing anything that wasn't absolutely necessary so that they wouldn't be overweight, I did not remove my American flag plates, napkins, tablecloth, and cups that I had bought at Rodman's. Obviously they were absolutely necessary.
I spent the whole day making American cheeseburgers, potato salad, shopped around for sour cream and onion ruffled chips, as well as for Budweiser beer. But... apparently someone else in Bergen had the same idea and there was ONE can of Budweiser between the four stores I went to. Oh well, I was the only American at our party anyway.
We invited friends over, I dressed in red, white, and blue, I grilled the burgers, and we played some offensively bad American country music. Needless to say, it was a 4th of July celebration that never would have happened at home, but as an ex-patriate, I went a little over the top.
Subtle, isn't it?
My friend Hanne got into the holiday also, and brought this beautiful cake! (As well as American flag glasses that she bought at Ellis Island 15 years ago!)
Next! The World Cup! We chose the outdoor patio of a downtown bar as our viewing place for most of the important games. I dressed up in the same outfit as the 4th of July and went here for the U.S. vs. Ghana game. I had some friends along and we were being loud and it was obvious that I was American. When the national anthem came on, I was convinced to sing along and wave the flag. Then, when the national anthem for Ghana came on, this 70ish year old Norwegian who was sitting next to me, stood up and started to pretend to sing along to their national anthem. Very funny. I asked how Norway was doing in the World Cup.
Spain won!!!
At least once a week, I have been walking downtown to pick Oddmund up from work. We then buy some dinner in town, take it to go, and hike up Floyen to this picnic bench for dinner. It is becoming one of my favorite views and is a wonderful, quiet place to eat dinner before we walk the rest of the way home.
Another view from near the dinner spot.
Our next adventure was a hike near Bergen called Vidden. The two biggest mountains near Bergen are Ulriken and Floyen. They are connected in the back and the trail that leads from one to the other is called Vidden. Once you are up one of the moutains, it is a relatively level hike, but it has incredible views over Bergen on one side, and of the vast expanse of mountains on the other side. The hike is about 15 miles and many people hike it at night in the summer when the days are very long and they can watch the sun both set and then rise again during the hike.
Here is the starting point, on top of Ulriken, with a view of Bergen and out to the North Sea.
Once you are a bit further from the city, you can see how far the mountains stretch to the other side.
This was about 8pm.
The hike is marked the whole way with these old stone towers which have been there for at least a hundred years.
More mountain views.
We picked a spot halfway to stop and have some dinner while we watched the sun start to set.
Walking back towards the city as the sun is setting into the North Sea.
Lovely
Getting back to civilization.
My cousin Stian, with whom I lived last summer, took me out fishing in his new boat. While I didn't take any pictures from the fishing trip, I did catch a beautiful cod from deep down in the fjord. I brought it home and we cooked it for dinner. Here is Oddmund breaking down the fish.
Also in July, Oddmund's parents came to visit and we did some touristy things that I had not yet done. One of them was visiting this castle near Bergen where the King and Queen stay when they come to visit Bergen. Also, their son, the Crown Prince, lived here for three years when he attended the Naval Academy. Now, it is open for tours and the grounds are open to everyone.
Then Ty, our old roommate, came to visit!
Here we are on her first night, showing her the neighborhood.
We borrowed a boat for an evening to go out on the water, fish a little bit, and go out to see Cornelius. This is our departure from downtown Bergen.
Our captain!
Sitting out at Cornelius in beautiful weather.
Our ride for the evening.
In case anyone forgot what Cornelius looks like...
mmmmm... mussels!
The next day, we went on a 4-hour tour, a 4-hour toouuurrr (Gilligan's island anyone?).
Our boat that day was called The White Lady, a tourist boat that has been doing fjord tours from Bergen for over 50 years. The tour goes north up through the fjords to some of the areas with more typical Norwegian views of mountains going right into the water, steep cliffs, narrow waters, etc.
More views from the boat
Finally... we took Ty on a hike to a cabin for one night. We left in the car from Bergen at about 6 and drove an hour to the starting location. We hadn't done much research into the hike, other than that it should be about 2-3 hours. But, as soon as we got on the path and looked into the map more carefully, we realized it was a steep climb for the first hour, which, in the rainy cold weather we had, was a little demotivating. But, we powered through. And got up to these views.
Two people who are very happy to be above the tree line and done with the climbinb part. We are now at about 5,000 feet about sea level. And we started at about 2,500 feet about sea level.
Always very, very happy to see the cabin.
Yes! We made it! We got to the cabin at 10.15pm, and walked inside. There was a mom sitting at the table reading a book by candlelight. She explained to us that her two boys were already asleep, she was going to bed soon, and there was a couple in another bedroom who was also already asleep. I guess we got there a little late.
But we still had to eat, so we made dinner (very quietly) and then sat down around 11 to a well-deserved candlelit feast.
The next morning Ty and I went out to try and catch some breakfast.
Apparently whoever gets the lure stuck has to go in and get it, even if that person has an allergy to cold...
Victory! Fresh Norwegian mountain lake trout! Breakfast of champions.
Leaving the cabin in the morning
Leaving the cabin and the trout-filled lake that it was on.
Starting the hike back, being careful to follow the red T trail markers.
The sun was out for our walk back, which was wonderful.
Back under the tree-line, which means we are close!
Back to the starting point, looking behind us to see where we came from
Ty's last night, a trip up Floyen was required, to see the views of Bergen from the mountains.
Taking the tram back down the mountain, and we are ready for a night out on the town! Miss you Ty!
July 2010, check!
