Blogging friends, please meet my reason for moving to Colorado:
Elena Sharon arrived on Thursday, April 14th.
Her proud Mom and Dad are over the moon
in love with their new daughter.
And for me? Let Grandma-spoiling begin.
The End … but the beginning?
Life brings so many changes, doesn’t it? Sometimes planned, yet often when we least expect it. Usually welcomed, yet occasionally a curve ball.
And even when they’re planned and welcomed, changes are frequently unsettling.
I’ve worked through most of the unsettling emotions these last few (quiet on the blog) months. Now comes the unsettling physical aspect: This American in Norway is moving to Colorado!
Temporarily? Permanently? The future will let me know.
But much of my heart will remain in this welcoming country, as Jan’s family is my family, I’ve been shaped by the culture of which I’ve been a part, and sharing it with you has been a gift. I’m not the same woman who moved here in January 2007.
This little piece of the internet has a new name. It will be mostly quiet, but referring to the changes written about above — you never know what the future will bring!
Nine years in Norway, as seen through my photos
and heard through the music of Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull.
A few hours in Denver
I saw several new places while visiting Colorado in June, and enjoyed a couple of them quite a bit. And another favorite activity happened the day I left: I walked around the Union Station area of Denver for hours before my Amtrak train trip back to Ottumwa.
I live in such a remote area of Norway, it was nice to soak up the sounds and activity of a busy metropolitan city!
After dropping off my luggage at the Amtrak counter …
… and a 30 minutes stroll around the streets in front of Union Station, I decided it was time to sit outside with a bit of refreshment and absorb the sounds of the area. The Thirsty Lion suited that need quite well.
Refreshed, I headed out for a larger loop around the area. Even with only a few blocks of this busy city being explored, I saw plenty of planning that makes nature accessible, from walking paths using railroad bridges over the South Platte River …
… to a section of the 17.8 mile South Platte River Trail …
… to sculptures and greenery that add interest to the scenery …
There were historical buildings, shops and streets …
… and signs that require no additional comment 😉 …
… and finally, a stroll to Coors Field. It was so quiet, almost eerily so. In the quiet, the remembered sounds of the crack of a bat and a crowds’ roar echoed — the result of so many memories of baseball games seen at Wrigley Field, Citi Field, Turner Field Citizen Bank Park, and Camden Yards!
The weather was threatening all day (in fact, it rained so much that night my daughter’s basement flooded), and I stayed within a few blocks of Union Station and its protection from the elements. Through my loops through the area, the inside of Union Station was my place to sit, grab a cup of coffee, people watch, admire the architecture …
… and then go out and explore a little more.
All of this was with the faint backdrop of the Rocky Mountains blending with the cloudy sky of this Mile High city.
And then it was time to go out and wait for the arrival of my train back to Ottumwa. Standing on the platform, I admired the curves of the outside architecture one more time …
It was a wonderful way to say goodbye to Colorado … and I’ll be seeing it again soon! Details to come. 🙂
A tourist in Colorado
My trip to Colorado in June was to see my daughters … but it was fun to explore a new part of the world and be a tourist!
My second day there we drove through Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City in the foothills of the Rockies, people-watching and giving me an overview of the area.  The next week we stopped in Manitou Springs at the Manitou Brewing Co. after our trip to Garden of the Gods … remember this photo? 🙂
… and then walked around a bit after our refreshment.
With Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline rising in the background, there’s a sense of permanence and presence as you approach Manitou Springs.
A little about Manitou Springs from Wikipedia:
The City of Manitou Springs is … located in El Paso County, Colorado … founded for its scenic setting and natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, as [it] consists of many one-story, adjoining, small shops, restaurants, and pubs … Among other services, shops cater to tourist interests such as clothing, candy, souvenirs, and outdoor recreation. The main road through the center of town was one of the direct paths to the base of Pikes Peak.
… and from a historical marker in Manitou Springs about their Healing Waters:
Manitou’s mineral springs have been appreciated for their healthful benefits throughout history. For centuries, Native peoples revered the effervescent waters. They used the mineral water to calm stomachs, soothe skin problems, and as a tonic for other ailments. In the Victorian era when diseases like tuberculosis were rampant, spas and health resorts became popular as a way for people to escape the cities and find fresh air and curative waters … Each spring has different amounts of mineral content and natural carbonation and was prescribed by doctors for ailments such as liver and kidney disease and digestive disorders.
A little about Old Colorado City:
Old Colorado City … is a national historic district in the city of Colorado Springs. [It] was founded [in] 1859, when the Colorado Town Company … envisioned that Colorado City would be a major supply hub via Ute Pass for the new gold mines in South Park and the Blue River, where major strikes in the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush had recently been made … [Today] Old Colorado City has a shopping district featuring dozens of independently owned art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and special attractions.
Favorite photos from our visit to Old Colorado City:
And how about ending with something fun I saw in Manitou Springs?
Garden of the Gods
The focus of my recent visit to the States was, of course, to see family … but in doing so, I also traveled to parts of my country that I hadn’t been to before. Colorado was one such place, and I was there just long enough to see a few highlights while also spending time with my daughters.
You know that I live in a mountainous area here in Norway; I was eager to see a different type of mountain. The foothills of the Rockies delivered, especially when we visited The Garden of the Gods. It is a perfect name. I felt as if we were driving through a giant garden, with interesting rocks and formations growing out of the soil. From Wikipedia:
The Garden of the Gods red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago … The outstanding geologic features of the park are the ancient sedimentary beds of deep-red, pink and white sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but have now been tilted vertically and faulted by the immense mountain building forces caused by the uplift of the Rocky Mountains.
Then first formation you encounter when entering the park is Steamboat Rock and Balanced Rock. A full perspective from a short distance away is here; the photos below are my views from closer to the formations. My legs won’t let me climb up, but the affect of *looking* up at the people who were crawling around was interesting!
We got back in the car and drove towards our next stop. Looking out the car windows, I experienced that impression I mentioned earlier: a huge garden of rocks sprouting up out of the ground. Out one window, the backdrop of Pikes Peak was rising in the distance:
Our next stop was another well-known area, a hogback formation with the Kissing Camels boulders. We got out and walked a bit here. The “camels” above us and the texture beside us were intriguing. The graffiti etched into the stone was frustrating to see. And the warnings of rattlesnakes off the trail weren’t really needed for this traveler!
We stopped to rest in a shady area out of the hot sun for a bit, and absorb the generosity of the gift of this park to Colorado City in 1903 “… by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins in fulfillment of his wish that it be kept forever free to the public”:
Time to get back in the car for the trip home, with one last shot out the window:
But first, a stop for a little liquid refreshment at at the Manitou Brewing Co. in nearby Manitou Springs:
The perfect end to a delightful trip. 🙂
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
“Planes, Trains & Automobiles!” No, not the movie … but a pretty good description of my last month!
A plane flight from Norway to Iowa (with my luggage catching up with me three days later).
A short lunch train trip in historic Boone, Iowa.
A longer overnight Amtrak train trip through Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado.
Ottumwa, Iowa train station
An Iowa sunset
Hello, Omaha!
Nebraska farming
Somewhere in eastern Colorado
Pulling into Denver; lots of rain has made the rivers a little treacherous!
Colorado Rockies stadium!
And many automobile trips, both local and long distance. This collection shares the highlights of my first few (cloudy) days in Colorado.
Union Station in Denver
Arriving in Colorado Springs!
Looking back at the foothills in my daughter’s side view mirror
I love taking in the scenery around me. But the best part of this trip is, of course, the family connections — especially time spent with these three!
Hello blogosphere!
It’s been a busy month since I’ve last connected with you, with work and then travel to the middle of the U.S. to visit family.
Yes, I’m back in Ottumwa. I’ve enjoyed time with family (especially celebrating my Dad’s 85th!), seeing a few sights (including a musical in Des Moines and a day trip to Boone, Iowa to ride an historic train), a trip to Illinois to visit my younger brother and his family (Aunt Cindi was tired playing with her young nieces and nephew!), a stop at a wonderful restaurant on the trip back to Iowa that honors the American farmer (The Machine Shed), and time spent enjoying my brother and sister-in-law’s hospitality here in Iowa (including a gorgeous and intense double rainbow).
And in a few days I’ll be traveling via Amtrak to a new part of the world for me — Colorado Springs to see my daughters!
Fun, fun, fun!! Here’s a few photos of my time so far. I’m sure more images will find their way to this little part of the blogosphere eventually … until then, I hope your part of the world is peaceful and full of contentment!
May 14, 2015 – Goodbye Bergen; it was a glorious day to take off and fly over you!
May 16, 2015 – The Lion King on stage in Des Moines. Fantastic!
May 20, 2015 – Lunch aboard The Scenic Line in Boone, Iowa. History and great views!
May 20, 2015 – Lunch aboard The Scenic Line in Boone, Iowa. History and great views!
May 20, 2015 – Lunch aboard The Scenic Line in Boone, Iowa. History and great views!
May 20, 2015 – Lunch aboard The Scenic Line in Boone, Iowa. History and great views!
May 21, 2015 – Not a bad place to enjoy my morning coffee before beginning the work day. (There are a lot of advantages to working from home — no matter where you call home!)
May 23, 2015 – Looking back after crossing the Mississippi River from Iowa into Illinois.
May 23, 2015 – Happy Birthday, Dad! Several days of celebration, this one in Illinois courtesy of my sister-in-law.
May 24, 2015 – Dinner out with the family, accompanied by giggles and a 4-year-old niece’s artwork.
May 25, 2015 – Gorgeous weather, flowers, and a delightful niece.
May 26, 2015 – Lunch at The Machine Shed on the way back to Ottumwa.
May 26, 2015 – This photo doesn’t do the double rainbow justice. I’ve never seen such intense color!
June 2015 – My upcoming Amtrak route to Colorado and my daughters!
Emigration from Norway to the USA
Two weeks ago I shared photos and observations of a short trip to Fusa, and mentioned my husband’s recent discovery of ancestors who come from this area.
Jan’s explorations into his family’s history have been fascinating for me, especially when he discovered family in the States and I thought about that reality from the perspective of *my* ancestors that emigrated to America from Scotland and Germany. So I asked him to share a little of his family’s story with you, set against the backdrop of Norwegian history.
Take it away, Jan!
EMIGRATION FROM NORWAY TO USA … AND MY FAMILY
by Jan Eek
by Jan Eek
In the span of less than a hundred years, from around 1825, almost 900,000 Norwegians emigrated to USA. To put it in perspective, the population in Norway in 1860 was 1,595,000. That means that around 10 to 12 million Americans are of Norwegian ancestry.
These are just numbers, so what do we know about the people, the human side of this emigration?
Norwegian settlers in 1898 North Dakota
in front of their homestead, a sod hut
Source
I can only relate to my own family, and as it turned out, I was in for several surprises.
The first one came as we moved from Bergen to a smaller place, Os, an hour’s drive from Bergen. So, what did I find out? Well, I have always known the name of my grandmother and connected it to Bergen, and the first thing I found was that my grandmother’s father was born on a farm very close to where we now live and that he belonged to a prominent family in this area. So, I was back at the cradle of my family!
Further inquiry led me to the most interesting person, my great-great grandfather, Wilhelm. He was a wild one in his youth. He became a father for the first time at the age of 16 and his first son is my direct ancestor. He then roamed Norway, Sweden and Denmark and fathered several children. His family, including a priest and a fairly rich farmer/shopkeeper, of course was embarrassed and tired of this unruly young man, so he was married to a sturdy woman, Thora, and promptly sent to America.
That was the second surprise for me. I had no idea! I have family in the US …
Here is a picture of Wilhelm and Thora in America.
1896
Wilhelm and Thora had eight children and the first years in the US they lived in a cave in Minnesota. Then they managed to get some land and slowly they developed it into a proper farm and later on established an hotel in the nearest town.
So, I have family here where I live and a large number of cousins in America. I have been in contact with my local family and also connected with one of my American cousins. She came to visit me and I showed her the area and the old farm house which is the origin for both of us AND it is still owned by my family, which was another surprise.
For a while I was hung up in tracing my family, but I stopped when I got to the 16th century. I turned the focus, thinking of the next generations, so I am now writing everything I know and can find out about people in my family. I want my grandchildren and their children to be able to connect with the history of our family.
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