There was something magical about the past few days. I needed to hold every moment, not blog, not do anything but be totally present in that very moment because.... we were home.
The first night I tucked the girls in they said "mom I have been craving something this whole time, I thought it was water, salt, fresh food, but I realized it was just that I was craving home and for the first time since we left, I feel like I am home here, even the pieces of paper in the trash feel like home".
In Alaska we have no family, many people do not, and so the group of us have functioned as family for each other, passing down clothes, celebrating holidays, supporting each other though tough times and celebrating the joys. This trip would not have happened without the love and support of that group, watching our dogs, caring for our house and giving us the strength to actually go. They challenged us to make the most of each part and eased our fears when another obstacle would arise.
One of my dearest friends who I have known since that first week in Alaska also grew up in Colorado, has 2 kids, similar work and similar loves. I won't even begin to describe her role in my life here, but it is relevant because she has a brother, sister-in-law a niece and nephew that live in Norway. For years I have been hearing about their bread, their crazy adventures, their amazing 2 kids, her running and triathlon career, his professional biking career and their intense love for the mountains and each other. My friend's generosity knows no boundary and she made sure we were connected and basically knew each other before we had meet in person.
Over a year ago when we started to plan for our trip, Anne (her sister-in-law) helped us with every step. She gave us recommendations, helped with planning and helped put all the pieces of Norway together. As their plans and ours came together it looked like we had one weekend that our paths would cross and they invited us into their home with the warmth and love of family.
The first day their kids were at camp, but Anne and Eric began the weekend long session of feeding us every Norwegian traditional food, made by scratch. Anne has these magic hands and even before she takes off her running pack, bread is in the oven or she is stirring together berry sauce from berries she just collected and making you feel like you have always belonged.
The next day, Anne was going to running this "Opp" - a Norwegian race and I tagged along. As I huddled in a remote mountain cabin near the Swedish boarder out of the rain watching these incredible fit, excited Norwegians vibrating with excitement to start a technical, soaking wet mountain run that ends with a 700 meter boulder head wall, I felt like maybe this was the first time I was seeing the real Norway and I was in over my head. Despite my impressive head start (I left over an hour before Anne started) I got to the top not long before the elite finishers and watched Anne pull way from another runner half her age like she was standing still. Everywhere we went, I was clearly with the the mountain racing communities' star who has won that race 7 times, set the record for Norseman Xtreme Triathlon and makes it all look effortless. The race itself was wonderful, but it was spending the day with someone who lives so deeply, openly and honestly and who welcomed me in so fully is what I will remember the most.
When we returned home, the kids and dads had their own adventure, taking a canoe and stand up paddle boarded through the center for Trodenhiem past all the major attractions. All were happy and content with a day of exploration. That evening we sucked out the best parts out of Norwegian shrimp at dinner and shared the days adventures.
Sunday came and we started by the Norwegian tradition of "friluftsliv" or walking in the mountains, swimming in the lake in a downpoor and picking berries, but the afternoon brough Anne and Eric's children home from ski camp and the families felt complete. The kids picked berries, played cards, jumped on the trampoline, swapped stories about their favorite candies and both families stayed up way too late before school and an early flight.
The only thing that made it easier to leave this new home was our mutual family, theirs by blood, ours by friendship that brought us together in the first place and will bring us back together again. We are so grateful for this home away from home.
The beauty of this race - much of the start was along the boardwalks up and down the hills as we made our way to the head wall.
Just before the race I started thinking to myself, "what am I doing here?”
Anne pulling away in the final stretch. The rocks are slick, steep and uneven to the final flag above a glacier.
All the racers headed down the headwall after the race. It is hard to appreciate this 45° slope here, but it was so great to be among this amazing mountain crowd, all full of smiles and laughs enjoying this challenge in the hills.
The dads and the girls had their own amazing adventure on the water seeing all the highlights of the city on their own power.
Not a bad way to travel
Anne at home with her running pack still on, whipping up more amazing food and telling a great story all at the same time.
A walk in the woods has usually involved sheep in this country. This Sunday was no different.
Kids really wanted to swim, so off we went and Anna threw on her wetsuit to get some laps in.
As soon as they got in the water a downpour started; you can actually see the rain on the lake here.
All four kids finding berries for dinner.
These red currents were amazing and a perfect way to end a great weekend.