We drove to the West Coast of Norway for Easter week 2009...
We are lucky to have the entire week of Easter off. No school. No work. So we were able to spend a week at the farm.
Friends of ours who are also transplants joined us. They are from London and had a teenage son of a friend visiting from London, so he came too!
We drive though Gubrand's Valley (Gubrandsdal). It is a wonderful drive from our house winding through the valley all the way to the fjords on the west coast. The road is narrow and in some areas it is barely wider than a one lane road, so we always take it easy and enjoy the view.
The vistas are amazing. Mountains, cliffs, water falls which are waking up, glaciers, rivers, and we were able to see a small avalanche sweeping down a mountain towards the highway.
We always keep a look out for moose and bikers on the narrow road.
We thought it was funny to see a train go blasting past us as we were following a tractor through an area where it was hard to pass.
I love the drive down out of the valley and to the fjord at Andalsnes. We left winter and joined spring.
NK was as happy as me to see the ocean.
This is water running out of the mountain streams and into the fjord.
Looking out to the islands in the fjords along the west coast.
We usually stop in this area since it is 4.5 hours from our house and we need a stretch before we jump in for the 2 hour drive snaking along the fjords to our ferry stop.
Hysterical. This dog looked so happy to be in the driver's seat.
We spent the first night in Alesund at a hotel so we could do some shopping before taking the ferry out to the islands for the week.
We stayed at a hotel on one of the islands that comprises the coastal city of Alesund.
We really enjoyed watching the sun set above one of the small islands in the sea off of Alesund.
The next afternoon we drive along the most amazing fjords to the farm. As many times as I have made this journey, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of this region of Norway. The sun was shining it was about 55 degrees F. and the water was so still. It smelled fantastic, not fishy...and the flowers, early flowers like crocus and daffodils were bursting everywhere.
Our ferry stop is at a tiny town where they build huge ships and other large equipment for oil platforms.
The trees were happy to have warm sunlight beating down.
Our good friend Tracey had been by the farmhouse to turn on the power and water and she cut some of our daffodils and had the house warm, and cheerfully decorated.
Well, it wasn't cheerful to find a dead mouse in JH's slippers. He said something felt funny in his slipper...uh, funny...no. I wouldn't have thought it was funny at all. I would have needed psychotherapy! I was afraid to take the photo.
JH's cousin Robert stopped by to greet us and have some brews.
And of course our good friend Jann came by. He was leaving the next day for work on an oil facility near Malaysia. We were glad to conenct with him too.
The tiny flowers that dot the island were creeping out from under the grasses.
The first full morning on the island, JH completed his regular climb to the top of the mountain across the road from the farm house. He caught this photo of the ferry coming into Myklebust harbor.
While he walking walking along the mountain he saw some rainbows...he chased after them dug for gold and now we are rich.
There are piles of daffodils at the farm. They are everywhere!
This is a variety of flower which JH's grandmother introduced to the island from further along the coast. It grows everywhere now.
When our friends arrived on the island we had a lot of adventures, including walking along the beach.
This beach is my favortie place in the world. Sadly, it is in Norway, which is not my favorite place...I know this sounds weird. I love this beach. Someday we will build a house along the bluff nearby. NK and his friends had so much fun running around.
We saw a strange solar auroa. We danced around and sang about the end of the world...it didn't end, so we grilled hot dogs.
Great photo of NK and friends on the beach.
The geese are nesting and laying eggs at this time of year. From these tracks I think a goose was nearby.
My goofy boy writing notes in the sand.
Isn't this the cutest little girl? I would keep her!
It was low tide when we were at the beach this day. The ripples on the sand were so interesting.
We have so many photos that were taken on this beach over the years.
Here is another...
My good friend Sonia and I picked-up A LOT of sea shells and drift wood.
A photo of someof the small boat houses that are everywhere along the islands.
The weather cooperated mostly and we enjoyed a lot of sunshine.
We took a ferry to some smaller islands to see some historic lighthouses.
In the townsho where the farm is at there are hundreds of small skerries and islands. It is dense with skerries, and sea life. We didn't see any whales this trip but they hangout in the sea around these islands in the fjord between the islands and the coast.
NK and a buddy made it up to one of the lighthouses.
This is Ona. a lovely, picturesque sea village.
A sea maiden looks towards her lovers - her man and the sea.
NK enjoys the ferry rides between the islands.
People live on these islands permanently...but many more people visit to glimps the quality of life that includes whales as neighbors, puffins, and many, many sea creatures and birds.
These are fish drying along a boat house on a small island.
The sea gulls are so noisey and just pesky.
This is the ferry peeking out.
Rune and JH cooking whale steaks on the grill...and drinking beer!
There were some giant sea eagles soaring around the island.
The sunsets on the islands are amazing. Priceless.
Of course the kids had to go play in the muck.
And later the kids entertained us with karaoke. Mine would be the kid in the AIG shirt. What an embarrassment to wear AIG...but, it is a Manchester United shirt. He doesn't "get" AIG. Neither do we. Manchester United is looking for a new sponsor since the American people don't want to be the official sponsor via the bailout money.
During the sunset we saw the sun glisten out of a valley along the coast.
The mountains are starting to drip and now gush with water falling.
Our friend from London, Rees celebrated his 18th birthday while at the farm. We celebrated with a feast and three yummy desserts!
Following dinner we needed a long evening walk.
I really love Rune's sweater. A traditional Norwegian sweater nitted by a family member.
Louise and Rees really hit it off and anounced they have plans to travel this summer in Germany. Not bad for 24 hours of friendship. Great kids...we love 'em.
And the smallest one got a ride!
The week went by fast. Of course time flies by when we are really enjoying ourselves having dinner parties every night with friends, and spending our days hiking and sightseeing.
The farmhouse was alive.
The kids were wild...all the sugar from the cakes!
Morning mist off the sea.
And as we pulled down to the harbor to catch the ferry we saw flags in the village.
We drove to the West Coast of Norway for Easter week 2009...
We are lucky to have the entire week of Easter off. No school. No work. So we were able to spend a week at the farm.
Friends of ours who are also transplants joined us. They are from London and had a teenage son of a friend visiting from London, so he came too!
We drive though Gubrand's Valley (Gubrandsdal). It is a wonderful drive from our house winding through the valley all the way to the fjords on the west coast. The road is narrow and in some areas it is barely wider than a one lane road, so we always take it easy and enjoy the view.
The vistas are amazing. Mountains, cliffs, water falls which are waking up, glaciers, rivers, and we were able to see a small avalanche sweeping down a mountain towards the highway.
We always keep a look out for moose and bikers on the narrow road.
We thought it was funny to see a train go blasting past us as we were following a tractor through an area where it was hard to pass.
I love the drive down out of the valley and to the fjord at Andalsnes. We left winter and joined spring.
NK was as happy as me to see the ocean.
This is water running out of the mountain streams and into the fjord.
Looking out to the islands in the fjords along the west coast.
We usually stop in this area since it is 4.5 hours from our house and we need a stretch before we jump in for the 2 hour drive snaking along the fjords to our ferry stop.
Hysterical. This dog looked so happy to be in the driver's seat.
We spent the first night in Alesund at a hotel so we could do some shopping before taking the ferry out to the islands for the week.
We stayed at a hotel on one of the islands that comprises the coastal city of Alesund. 
We really enjoyed watching the sun set above one of the small islands in the sea off of Alesund.
The next afternoon we drive along the most amazing fjords to the farm. As many times as I have made this journey, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of this region of Norway. The sun was shining it was about 55 degrees F. and the water was so still. It smelled fantastic, not fishy...and the flowers, early flowers like crocus and daffodils were bursting everywhere.
Our ferry stop is at a tiny town where they build huge ships and other large equipment for oil platforms.
The trees were happy to have warm sunlight beating down.
Our good friend Tracey had been by the farmhouse to turn on the power and water and she cut some of our daffodils and had the house warm, and cheerfully decorated.
Well, it wasn't cheerful to find a dead mouse in JH's slippers. He said something felt funny in his slipper...uh, funny...no. I wouldn't have thought it was funny at all. I would have needed psychotherapy! I was afraid to take the photo.
JH's cousin Robert stopped by to greet us and have some brews.
And of course our good friend Jann came by. He was leaving the next day for work on an oil facility near Malaysia. We were glad to conenct with him too.
The tiny flowers that dot the island were creeping out from under the grasses.
The first full morning on the island, JH completed his regular climb to the top of the mountain across the road from the farm house. He caught this photo of the ferry coming into Myklebust harbor.
While he walking walking along the mountain he saw some rainbows...he chased after them dug for gold and now we are rich.
There are piles of daffodils at the farm. They are everywhere!
This is a variety of flower which JH's grandmother introduced to the island from further along the coast. It grows everywhere now.
When our friends arrived on the island we had a lot of adventures, including walking along the beach.
This beach is my favortie place in the world. Sadly, it is in Norway, which is not my favorite place...I know this sounds weird. I love this beach. Someday we will build a house along the bluff nearby. NK and his friends had so much fun running around.
We saw a strange solar auroa. We danced around and sang about the end of the world...it didn't end, so we grilled hot dogs.
Great photo of NK and friends on the beach.
The geese are nesting and laying eggs at this time of year. From these tracks I think a goose was nearby.
My goofy boy writing notes in the sand.
Isn't this the cutest little girl? I would keep her! 
It was low tide when we were at the beach this day. The ripples on the sand were so interesting. 
We have so many photos that were taken on this beach over the years.
Here is another...
My good friend Sonia and I picked-up A LOT of sea shells and drift wood.
A photo of someof the small boat houses that are everywhere along the islands.
The weather cooperated mostly and we enjoyed a lot of sunshine.
We took a ferry to some smaller islands to see some historic lighthouses.
In the townsho where the farm is at there are hundreds of small skerries and islands. It is dense with skerries, and sea life. We didn't see any whales this trip but they hangout in the sea around these islands in the fjord between the islands and the coast.
NK and a buddy made it up to one of the lighthouses.
This is Ona. a lovely, picturesque sea village.
A sea maiden looks towards her lovers - her man and the sea.
NK enjoys the ferry rides between the islands.
People live on these islands permanently...but many more people visit to glimps the quality of life that includes whales as neighbors, puffins, and many, many sea creatures and birds.
These are fish drying along a boat house on a small island.
The sea gulls are so noisey and just pesky.
This is the ferry peeking out.
Rune and JH cooking whale steaks on the grill...and drinking beer!
There were some giant sea eagles soaring around the island.
The sunsets on the islands are amazing. Priceless.
Of course the kids had to go play in the muck.
And later the kids entertained us with karaoke. Mine would be the kid in the AIG shirt. What an embarrassment to wear AIG...but, it is a Manchester United shirt. He doesn't "get" AIG. Neither do we. Manchester United is looking for a new sponsor since the American people don't want to be the official sponsor via the bailout money. 
During the sunset we saw the sun glisten out of a valley along the coast.
The mountains are starting to drip and now gush with water falling.
Our friend from London, Rees celebrated his 18th birthday while at the farm. We celebrated with a feast and three yummy desserts!
Following dinner we needed a long evening walk.
Louise and Rees really hit it off and anounced they have plans to travel this summer in Germany. Not bad for 24 hours of friendship. Great kids...we love 'em.
And the smallest one got a ride!
The week went by fast. Of course time flies by when we are really enjoying ourselves having dinner parties every night with friends, and spending our days hiking and sightseeing.
The farmhouse was alive.
The kids were wild...all the sugar from the cakes!
Morning mist off the sea. 
And as we pulled down to the harbor to catch the ferry we saw flags in the village.
My big guy.
And my little one.
Heart warming...my boy.
