Our last few days in Norway were full of excitement, but also we lived in anticipation of our upcoming transition. Our last days in Norway felt like days before a birthday when I was a child when I would count every “sleep” and celebrate the last day of school as a 7 year old, both nervous and excited about turning 8. There were a lot of lasts; the last time we would have salmon, a last Norwegian fjord hike, the last long run in this fantastic country, yet all with the excitement of something new and unknown ahead. Norway has indeed begun to feel like home, and somehow we are almost two months into this adventure. We had a spectacular final day in the southern tip of the Lofoten islands, and it was a bittersweet end to this chapter.
A final salmon lunch after a great hike - sitting on the water with these mountains in the background and the kids playing at the swing set right behind this picture. Also Traverse sporting his “viking” beard.
I had a fantastic final long run: rain, sun, rainbows, beautiful fjords. It was also the first time in 6 weeks that I was able to run on mostly flat ground because there was no huge hill to climb to get out of our town - so I felt fast and free. I sprinted at the end and then I looked up and this is what I saw. It was just breathtaking (ok maybe I had already lost my breath or was hypoxic) but it was one of those moments you know you will always remember. The light in Norway just appears to dance though the day, coming and going through mountains, clouds and then it is reflected back through the water.
And this is the view the other direction!
Finding hidden sculptures on a near by beach on a day full of rain.
Here is the sculpture we found. The Lofoten island are dotted with these different “natural” sculptures from around the world.
Our last breakfast on the Lofoten island, I had to get a picture of what we saw everyone morning from our kitchen table: all hours of the day people taking pictures of the cabin we stayed in and the massive wall behind us.
“Lets see what is up this hill” Each hike was like this, offering more rewards for getting out and seeing what is around the next corner.
Just checking out the view. Above you can see all the dried fish we saw and bird eggs - I really loved the dried fish light fixutre. Below are the kids being kids while we headed up the near by mountain.
King of the mountain!
On our way to the ferry we took a lunch break and headed up this hill, again taking in the view of this amazing part of the country.
One last shot looking back. Thank you Norway. I can’t wait to come back.