Brenndalsbreen

(Photo to left is the view from the front of our cabin, where we eat our breakfasts and dinners)

The day before yesterday I went for a relaxing 2 hour stroll along the road which leads to and from our cabin.

Steve, wanting something a bit more strenuous, went on what was billed on the map as an “intermediate, 2-3 hour hike up to a farmhouse-with-a-view”.

About 200 meters into it, he began to question the wisdom of his decision. Though the map had mentioned a “steep bit” at the end of the hike, right from the beginning it was essentially a vertical climb up dirt and rocks.

Brave man that he is, he made it about an hour-and-a-half into it before deciding that he’d better turn back. Not before a Norwegian man in the late sixties had sprinted past him, whistling a happy tune.

Norwegians, at least in this area, seem to be insanely fit. This is probably why the average life expectancy here is 105. Or something like that. It seems to be a very peaceful existence out here. Very simple and basic; a lot of tourist-related work, and farming.

We asked someone local about the lack of fish in the grocery stores, and he responded that with only 4.5 million people in the entire country, and so many parts of the country being small villages having extremely small populations, there just isn’t the demand for it; and the price of getting it from one place to another would far exceed any sales numbers. Plus, he reminded us, around here, if people want to eat fish, they just step outside and catch it themselves.

Yesterday, Steve and I went for a hike up to Brenndalsbreen, another local glacier. There was a pretty steep incline for the first 45 minutes or so, but we had some beautiful views along the way. After a while, the trail went further along into the trees, and then along the glacial run-off-rapids. The trail then became nothing more than rocks in the trees.

Steve was able to discern the path by the trees that had been cut down, and periodic small piles of rocks left on larger rocks. He felt pretty sure that those were Norway’s version of trail markers, but I couldn’t shake the fear that those rock piles were deliberately and randomly left by some crazy Norwegian hunchback (or a troll; they love trolls here) who runs around the woods in the middle of the night, leaving random rock-piles to confuse hapless tourists, all the while rubbing his hands together and laughing maniacally.

Another thing about Norway trail-makers: in addition to just out and out lying about how hard the hikes are, they give you no help at all once you’re on these trails; no signs, no arrows, no white marks on trees. Nothing. You’re just on your own, with your life in your own hands. That would just never happen in the US-there would be way too many lawsuits.

The problem is that here, I think they just assume you’re smart enough to figure it out for yourself. No one makes that mistake in the old US of A, that’s for sure!

In the end, though, Steve was right, and we made it to the rocks near the glacier and the roaring water. I must say the end of this hike was a bit of a let-down, and the view of the actual glacier was a bit off to the side and hard to see well.

Regardles, it was a fun hike, and my heart rate monitor says that I burned 1500 calories, so bring on the Kaviar Tube!! I am completely addicted, by the way, to the Kaviar in a tube. I have no idea what’s in it, and since the ingredients are in Norwegian, they will remain a mystery. But I love it. I am going to have to figure out a way to get some in The States.

Maybe that can be my new work venture: importing the Kaviar tube. I don’t know about you, but I’d buy it.

Reminder: Tomorrow (August 18) is a big birthday for Steve. If you think of it, drop him an email, or post b-day wishes here in comments section. He'd love it!!!