A Full Tank Of Gas

Stavanger, Norway

On Sunday, I arrived in Stavanger, Norway to catch up with my buddy and dear friend Ingeborg. For those of you who are new here, I met Inge (pronounced Ing-ga) in Sri Lanka where we traveled together for a month and then for three weeks in India. She is a hoot and I definitely recommend reading about her in my previous posts in the archives.

In true Inge fashion, she was at the airport with signs and flags, and a little camper van packed full of stuff (including hiking clothes and boots for me) and ready to go on a surprise five-day camping trip around Norway. 🇳🇴 What a welcome! If you don't have a person in your life like Inge, you better find one, and fast. She brings joy, laughter, and adventure wherever she goes. Her love of life is contagious!

Our first stop was to the beach for a walk, which was only 15 minutes from the Sola airport. Nothing like getting into the Norwegian spirit as soon as your feet hit the ground. It was raining when my plane landed but it quickly stopped and the sun came out. Perfect for a stroll on the beach.

We spent Sunday night at Inge’s apartment so we could prep for our big adventure. We had delicious “Norwegian Tacos” (aka very mild burritos), caught up on the time gone by (we haven't seen each other in almost a year) and I did a load of laundry.

We set off on our road trip on Monday with the camper van overpacked full of crap we probably won't use but you never know.

We headed to Inge’s family Hytte (cabin) in the mountains for the first two nights. With a stop at a beautiful waterfall where we ate berries off the bushes and snapped some pics at a cool old bridge…oh, AND we rode a ferry through the Fjords along the way. You know, your typically Monday.

On the way, we drove by one of the most secluded homes in the world. I'm guessing you've seen photos of it before, it's fairly famous. Norway is like living in a fairytale storybook. The next page is better than the last. Hopefully, I become a princess in a castle at the end.

We made it to the Hytte and O.M.G., I love this place. I’m getting one of these Hytte’s for my very own to enjoy for the three months of summer in Norway. I'm not sure I could survive the winter. I'm pretty wimpy but I think I could handle the summers here.

A traditional Hytte doesn't have modern conveniences but Inge’s family has updated theirs to have plumbing, electricity, etc. It’s been on her mother’s side of the family for many generations.

I absolutely love it up here. On our first evening, we got to work like we were preppers for armageddon. We picked the fruits and vegetables for dinner and breakfast. We built a fire to warm up the house and made dinner from “scratch” (basically “from scratch” in my book).

We are like pioneer women - just livin’ off the land and saving the animals. Next thing you know I'll be making my own jam and fishing for salmon in the river below for my dinner.

Inge push-mowed the yard as well. Not a fun hill to climb in wet grass.

We even rescued a damn bird trapped in a tree net around a blueberry bush. Good Lord, it was wild- just watch the video. We should get a medal or something for this heroic effort…dual citizenship would be a nice touch. Just saying.

After a fun first night in the family Hytte, we spent Tuesday watching the salmon swim upstream at the Salmon Studio. It’s basically an observatory built into the landscape but it doesn't disturb the fish or their natural habitat.

Another thing I love about Norway is there are public saunas everywhere for people to enjoy.

We spent a few hours at the indoor pools, sauna, and outdoor hot tub, today swimming and relaxing. We were at a facility called Suldal Bad and this place was immaculate. It’s so nice to see a society of people who want to live and be surrounded by clean environments and nice things. In the lockerrooms there are signs posted asking everyone to shower before getting into the pools so they can use less chlorine. It is better for your skin/body and the environment. And you know what, everyone respects this rule and follows it so everyone can have a better experience. What a concept.

I didn't take my phone inside so the collage of photos are from their Instagram.

Norway is all about making the lives of Norwegians better. For the people, by the people. I've never been to a country where almost every decision about public spaces is made for the good of the citizens to use and enjoy…as well as good for the planet. Public transportation is free. Camping is free. National parks are free. Secondary education is free. The list goes on and on.

Here is one small example I saw today. A new bridge was needed for pedestrians to cross to hike in nature on the other side of the river. So the locals voted on a new bridge and not only is it functional, it is art and made of eco friendly materials. It is designed to blend into nature while letting the pedestrians feel like they are part of the raging river below when they cross it…for enjoyment. It’s called Hosebrua and you really do feel the flow of the river when you're on the bridge. This bridge has even won awards.

I'm so happy to be touring the country of Norway with a local…especially Inge. I've learned and done a ton so far and truly, the landscape is breathtaking around every bend. I can't wait to share more from our adventures.

Much love & gratitude from Norway! 🇳🇴Namaste 🙏

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I was channeling Lily Tomlin as Edith Ann.

Traditional Norwegian bread eaten at breakfast - rundstykke - round bread with poppy seeds.

Traditional Norwegian brown cheese. It tastes sweet like caramel. A very weird taste for me when biting into cheese but the locals swear by it.

The outtakes

Inge eating Sour Blade grass from the side of the road…like a rabbit.