More Incredible Scenery and Back to Sweden

A good night's sleep, an early start, and we were already through three long tunnels and saw numerous magnificent waterfalls and rapids. There were green Birch valleys, snow covered peaks in every direction and fjords so crystal clear they mirrored it all. Our cameras were purring.

We see campgrounds everywhere with people in small motor homes and trailers. People also park in the many scenic pull offs. What views to wake up to!

Bob thought he saw our son, Sean, this morning. He knew better, but for a moment he was startled and he wondered why he was here. He said the likeness was fascinating. We surely do have roots here. However, the Norwegians are a stoic lot. They are willing to help and will speak if you ask, but they don't like to meet your eye in passing and won't return a smile. It makes it lonely to not be able to have friendly sharing in the midst of all of this beauty.

On a hairpin curve, we passed a Cosmos bus with tourists clicking pictures out the window. Bob said their pictures are probably all blurred and full of reflections. We got to laughing about our British Isles Tour and Robyn asking if anyone would like pictures of a complete set of road signs coming down a mountain as she was sure she had caught them all and Doug popped out with, "Only if they're blurry." I get so frustrated snapping out the window as some dumb pole or tree gets right in the way. 

Down the mountain we went to a fjord and we waited in line for a ferry to take us across. We, of course, put on our winter coats and went up on top to watch in the brisk wind. Bob reminded me that we were above the Arctic Circle sailing across a fjord in Norway. Wow!

Then, picturesque, picturesque! More fjords, waterfalls, and mountains and just too much to take in. We quit stopping for waterfalls and views that would have thrilled us two days ago. We were on overload with beauty no words can explain.

We drove through the small city of Narvik which looked like Tromso where we stopped on the ship. There is a fjord with pretty mountains all around and lots of industry and warehouses along the waterfront. Houses of every color went up the sides of the hills. It could be a bustling northern port town anywhere. And all of a sudden, we were in a long tunnel again - the longest yet, and then out into more city. It is not a quaint town and we were happy to leave the traffic behind and climb back into the mountains as we pushed northeast into Sweden.

We have noticed in Sweden and Norway how nicely people decorate their windows. They often have partial lace curtains and then cute small plants, statues or candles on display. It's very nice.

Back up over the tree line we went and into the snow with lots of rock and scrub pine. Little houses were perched on rock slabs on the shores of numerous lakes. It was rugged looking land with reindeer crossing signs and huge modern windmills catching the strong winds.

 

It started to snow hard for a bit and we noticed ice still on some of the lakes as we crossed the border back into Sweden. Then the sky quickly cleared and the sun came out. Bob pulled off to take pictures of a beautiful snow covered U shaped mountain formation.

We met two cute little older ladies taking pictures and one explained that the mountains are called the Gateway to Lapland. We took a picture for them and they took ours. The sky was so blue and the lake so clear, it was hard to quit clicking our cameras.

Right after that we saw a sign for the town of Bjorklinden where we thought we had seen a nice hotel advertised. It was a National Park and a Ski Lodge. I was sure it would be too expensive, but for less than half of what we paid in Norway, we got a perfect room with a breathtaking view and breakfast included. Also, people smiled at us and spoke. Yay!

We settled in and went out to hike gorgeous trails thought the hills. We were back to huffing and puffing but it felt good in the crisp mountain air. It was so quiet up there that my ears pounded. There was just the wind, the rushing little river and the sweet songs of birds.

We came back and had a beer in the beautiful sitting room with that awesome view. 

The World Cup Soccer game was on and we listened to all of the languages around us. It was fun texting with our son, Brian, while he had his lunch. We talked to Brad Sunday, Sean last night, and texted with Chad this afternoon. That really helps my occasional homesickness.

We had a lovely dinner in the dining room and joked with the workers.

            

It cracks us up that Country Music from the USA was playing. Earlier this morning as we left the hotel, the song One Moment in Time was playing and later at the gas station, Michael Jackson's Beat It was playing. I guess music is a universal language.

And now, to rest so we can get up and do some trails tomorrow and look for Reindeer!