For five days near the end of July I went to Norway. There are only three things I need to say about this trip, and here’s the first.
It’s not just clever marketing. It really is breathtaking.
The biggest reason that I chose to go to Norway was to see the fjords. I got my first taste of fjords in Alaska a few summers ago, and that experience did nothing but fuel my geological geekery. My absolute favorite kind of land form (see? geek is not too strong of a word–how many of you have a favorite kind of land form?) is granite carved by glaciers. Absolutely, hands down, the most beautiful, striking, dramatic and wonderful kind of land, in my opinion.
The fjords along the northern coast of Norway are just that. They’re not really different from Yosemite in how they were created, except that instead of a valley floor that is several thousand feet above sea level, the valley floor is several thousand feet below.
My need to see fjords actually informed the entire trip. I went to Bergen, in north, called the “cultural capital of Norway” as well as the “gateway to the fjords.” Aside from Bergen, I spent a few days in a lakeside town called Voss. My experience of these two cities was interrupted by one very long day where I rode no less than three buses, three boats and a train in order to see as much fjord as possible.
Some Fjordy Goodness
We cruised the Hardangerfjord, the Eidfjord, and a couple of other narrow inlets. We saw glaciers, salmon, seals and sheep. We went through many many tunnels, including one that was an actual spiral, curving dramatically down the inside of the mountain. We visited the Hardagervidda Nature Center, where I had to come to the very frustrating conclusion that my love of all things granite-carved-by-ice had gotten me to a place where I can no longer learn anything about geology from your average interpretive center or tour guide. The Hardangervidda Nature Center was also where I photographed goats grazing on the roof of the restaurant/gift show. So, at least it’s got that going for it.
Goats on the Roof!
As far as it goes, I am very glad that I made this trip a priority for my summer. Every day I see things that strike me as beautiful. Even as I write this, I am watching rolling green hills quilted by dry stone walls and dotted with clean white sheep whiz by and it is really quite grand. Still, just a few days in Norway sort of changes your perspective on just how literal breathtaking can be.
Go check out the flickr set of pictures. Of course, I recommend the comments as I do tell some stories.
